Most boils generally take about 2 weeks to heal naturally and in time the boil will dry up and leave a small mark on the skin. If a boil gets too large and painful, or is located on a prominent location like the face, it is recommended to visit a physician instead of trying to remove it on your own. In severe cases, a doctor will treat an infected boil formation with antibiotics and perhaps even surgery.
In cases of smaller, more moderate boils however, it is possible to treat them on your own at home. You can sometimes burst open a boil in its early stages to stop it from growing, however it is very important to always keep the area very clean because the pus is highly infectious and can spread more boils to the skin.
Home Treatment for Boils:
- Neem oil or the bark of the neem tree made into a paste and applied on the boil area can reduce infection.
- Castor tree oil has healing properties when made into a paste. You can also use a paste made from the bark or roots of the Castor tree.
- Crush three garlic cloves and apply the paste on the boil area.
- A paste made of equal quantities of garlic and ginger can be applied to a boil.
- Always include plenty of water in your diet when you’re treating boils.
- Limit your intake of sugars.
- Eat squash and sweet potatoes to increase your intake of vitamin A.
- Eat foods rich in zinc like oysters and sunflower seeds.
- Add vegetable juices like carrot and celery juice to help rid your body of toxins.
- Avoid all foods that are fatty and oily.
- Grapefruit seed extract oil is an effective anti-inflammatory agent you can apply to a boil.
- Oregano extract has antibacterial properties that can be effective for boil treatment.
Remember that the best way to prevent boils is through cleanliness. Boils are caused by bacterial activities due to the accumulation of germs. Eat a healthy, low-fat diet and always keep your skin clean and germ free to avoid the incidence or recurrence of boils.