Find care near me 
Key Points
- Skin boils are skin infections that start in hair follicles or oil glands, often appearing as red, swollen, pus-filled bumps and are most common on the face, neck, armpits, and buttocks.
- Many boils can be treated at home with remedies like warm compresses, tea tree oil, turmeric, and caster oil.
- If the boil continues to grow, doesn't clear up after a week, is as large as a ping-pong ball, is surrounded by red skin or red streaks, is extremely painful, or if there are other lumps near the boil, it's advised to see a doctor.
- Individuals with diabetes, recurring boils, fevers, or adverse reactions to topical remedies should seek professional care.
- To prevent boils, maintain good hygiene, avoid contact with those who have staph infections or boils, and avoid sharing or reusing washcloths, towels, and sheets.
A skin boil is a type of skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland, according to the Mayo Clinic. It usually appears as a red, swollen bump that's filled with pus. Boils can occur anywhere on the body, but the Mayo Clinic notes that they're most common on the face, neck, armpits, and buttocks.
While many boils can be treated at home, there are some cases when surgical draining or antibiotics are necessary. Below you’ll find several home remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms and speed up the healing process—as well as when you should go see a doctor.
Home Remedies for Treating Skin Boils
Skin boils are a common skin infection that can be painful, according to the Mayo Clinic. Below you’ll find the best tips for easing pain and promoting healing:
1. Warm Compress
Applying a warm compress to the affected area can help reduce pain and swelling associated with skin boils, according to the Mayo Clinic. To make a warm compress, soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring out the excess water, and place it on the boil for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this process several times a day.
2. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil may have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the size and pain of skin boils, according to Healthline. They recommend that you apply a few drops of tea tree oil directly to the boil using a cotton swab, and repeat this process several times a day until the boil starts to drain.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric may have some antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with skin boils, according to Healthline. They recommend that you mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder with a small amount of water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the boil and cover it with a clean cloth. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. You can repeat this process several times a day until the boil drains.
4. Caster Oil
Caster oil may also be beneficial in reducing inflammation associated with skin boils, according to Healthline. You can apply a small amount of caster oil to the boil and cover it with a clean cloth if you want to try this home remedy.
When to Seek Professional Care
Minor skin boils sometimes can be treated at home, according to Healthline, but there are cases when you should see a doctor. Healthline recommends seeing a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- The boil keeps getting larger despite home treatment
- The boil hasn’t cleared up or diminished after a week of home treatments
- The boil is as large as a ping-pong ball
- The skin surrounding the boil is bright red or has red streaks extending from it
- The boil is extremely painful
- There are other lumps near the boil
- You have recurring boils over several months
- You have diabetes
- You are having fevers
- You notice any other reactions when applying topical remedies
Tips for Preventing Boils
Skin boils can be very painful and unpleasant, but there are several things you can do at home to prevent them from occurring in the first place, according to the Cleveland Clinic:
- Avoid close contact with someone who has a staph infection or boils
- Wash your hands frequently with antibacterial soaps (and use hand sanitizing gels when soap and water are not available)
- Bathe regularly with soap
- Don’t share or reuse washcloths, towels, and sheets
How to Treat a Boil at Home
When it comes to treating skin boils at home, there are several strategies you can try, but warm compresses are the most effective treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Remember that if your boil is painful or not getting better after a week, you should see a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is a skin boil?
A skin boil is a type of skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. It often appears as a red, swollen, pus-filled bump.
Where are skin boils most commonly found?
Skin boils are most commonly found on the face, neck, armpits, and buttocks.
What are some home remedies for treating skin boils?
Home remedies for treating skin boils include applying a warm compress, using tea tree oil, turmeric, and caster oil.
When should I seek professional care for a skin boil?
You should seek professional care if the boil continues to grow, doesn't clear up after a week, is as large as a ping-pong ball, is surrounded by red skin or red streaks, is extremely painful, or if there are other lumps near the boil.
Are there certain individuals who should seek professional care for boils?
Yes, individuals with diabetes, recurring boils, fevers, or adverse reactions to topical remedies should seek professional care.
How can I prevent skin boils?
You can prevent skin boils by maintaining good hygiene, avoiding contact with those who have staph infections or boils, and avoiding sharing or reusing washcloths, towels, and sheets.
Can skin boils be treated with antibiotics?
Yes, in some cases, skin boils may require treatment with antibiotics.
What are the signs of a severe skin boil?
Signs of a severe skin boil include continued growth, not clearing up after a week, being as large as a ping-pong ball, being surrounded by bright red skin or red streaks, extreme pain, or the presence of other lumps near the boil.
LinkedIn
Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
