Almost all of us have had a painful boil at some point in life. You might even be having one while reading this article! Boils often appear as bumps that are filled with pus. A minor bacterial infection of a hair follicle or oil gland leads to the formation of a boil.
They are commonly seen on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks. They can be painful to touch and it’s advised not to pick or squeeze them. Most of them resolve on their own within 7 days of appearance. However, if you want to get rid of a nasty boil sooner, you should try the 7 home remedies below.
1. Apply A Warm Compress
Heat application on the boil encourages blood circulation in the area. More blood flow allows plenty of white blood cells and antibodies to rush to the site to fight against the bacteria. This leads to faster maturation of the boil. Apply a warm compress to the site for 20 minutes at least three to four times in a day until the boil shrinks. You can even add Epsom salts to the warm water for more effectiveness.12
2. Dab With Tea Tree Oil
With potent antibacterial and antiseptic properties, tea tree oil is an excellent healing oil for boils.Here’s how you can use it.3
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of Tea tree oil
- 1 teaspoon of coconut or olive oil
- A cotton swab
Steps:
- In a bowl mix both tea tree oil and coconut or olive oil. Soak a cotton swab with the mixture and dab the boil 3 times daily.
3. Add A Touch Of Turmeric
Turmeric is not only a popular spice but also a wonderful remedy for all kind so microbial infections of the skin. Curcumin makes it an effective antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory agent. When included in the diet, it aids in detoxification processes in the body. This is how you can make turmeric paste for boils.4
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 5–7 drops of water
- 1 Q-tip
Steps:
- In a bowl, make a paste out of turmeric and water. Use a sterile Q-tip to apply it on the boil carefully as it can stain any surface it comes in contact with. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Do this twice a day, until the boil resolves.
4. Put Some Neem Paste On It
Neem is also known as Indian lilac. It’s a gift from Mother Nature considering how healthy it’s for human consumption. Here’s how you can make neem paste for boils.5
Ingredients:
- A handful of neem leaves
Steps:
- Make a paste of neem leaves by crushing it in a grinder. Apply it on the boil directly and allow it to dry. Do this once daily until the boil is gone.
5. Sip A Cup Of Black Cumin Tea
Black cumin seeds are extremely good at strengthening the immunity. This makes it an obvious choice as a natural remedy for boils. Studies also suggest that it contains thymoquinone present in black cumin oil is responsible for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions. You can consume it by adding a teaspoon of it to your favorite cup of tea. Drink it twice a day to get rid of boils.6
6. Cover It With Bread Poultice
Bread poultice is an age-old remedy for boils, eczema, scratches, and wounds. The warmth of milk and the good bacteria in bread helps to pull pus from deep-seated boils.
Ingredients:
- 1 slice of bread
- Half cup of warm milk
Steps:
- Soak the bread in the warm milk and apply to the boil for a few minutes. Repeat every day until the boil matures and resolves.
7. Use Garlic Paste
Garlic contains allicin which is a highly effective anti-microbial, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory agent. If you don’t mind the pungent smell and choose to use garlic as a remedy, you will be surprised at how fast it gets rid of boils.7
Ingredients:
- 3 peeled garlic cloves
Steps:
- Crush the cloves of garlic into a fine paste and apply it to the boil. Apply two or three times daily until the boil resolves completely.
Home remedies are safe and cost-effective ways to get rid of boils. However, if you notice that the boil isn’t shrinking in size or is becoming too painful or growing, you should consult a doctor at the earliest.
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