Boils are red, pus-filled bumps that form under the skin and can be painful until a doctor drains them. While they usually need medical treatment, you can try home remedies like heat and tea tree oil.
Boils can grow to the size of a baseball. Larger boils are also known as skin abscesses. Never pick at or squeeze a boil, as it could cause an infection to spread.
Here are some home remedies that may help ease pain and help prevent the spread of infection, allowing the boil to heal. However, you should still consider having the boil checked by a doctor. In many cases, home remedies are not enough to cure a boil.
Many boils begin from ingrown hairs and clogged sweat glands that become infected, often with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus.
Boils most commonly appear on the:
- face
- neck
- shoulders
- armpits
- buttocks
Risk factors that may increase your chances of developing boils
- improper hygiene
- shaving
- having small cuts on the skin
- having certain skin conditions, such as acne or eczema
- having an immune disorder, which makes you more vulnerable to bacterial infections
- having close contact with someone who’s had boils or things they’ve used, like sharing razors or towels
Heat helps increase circulation in an area, bringing more white blood cells and antibodies to the area to fight the infection. Applying heat to a boil may be one of the best home remedies you can try since it’s simple and cost effective.
You can try using a warm compress on the area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Do this three or four times a day, every day, until the boil is gone.
Learn how to make a warm compress.
Research from 2022 suggests that tea tree oil has strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties. These properties may help treat the bacterial infection causing the boil.
Tea tree oil should not be applied directly to the skin because it can have a burning effect. Instead, mix five drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon coconut or olive oil, which are carrier oils.
Put the diluted tea tree oil on a cotton swab and apply it to a boil two or three times per day, and over time you should notice the boil shrinking. You should stop using the oil if you notice any burning sensations or other reactions to the oil.
Learn more about the benefits of tea tree oil.
Turmeric powder contains curcumin, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
While evidence is limited, some research has shown that using turmeric both orally and topically can be helpful as an alternative remedy.
To ingest it, boil a teaspoon of turmeric powder in water or milk, then let it cool. Drink the mixture three times daily.
To use it topically, mix turmeric with water, ginger, or both to make a paste. Apply the paste to a boil at least twice a day. Stop using it if you notice any reactions to the paste or powder.
Learn more about the benefits of turmeric and curcumin.
Castor oil contains a compound called ricinoleic acid, a natural yet potent anti-inflammatory. This, combined with its potential antibacterial properties,
Apply a small amount of castor oil directly to the boil at least three times a day until it’s gone. You should stop using it if you notice any adverse reactions to the oil.
Learn more about the benefits of castor oil.
Neem oil, also known as Indian lilac, may have antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that
To treat boils with neem oil, apply it directly to the boil three to four times a day. Make sure you wash your hands before and after the application and stop using it if you notice any adverse reactions to the oil.
Learn more about using neem oil on the skin.
When applied to the skin, raw onion may have several benefits for the skin and boils.
Learn about the benefits of onion for the skin and how to use it.
Fresh garlic may have some antimicrobial properties that help heal boils and prevent infection.
Though people have used garlic in traditional medication for years,
To use garlic to treat a boil, crush it first, then apply it to the area and cover it with a cool, wet cloth. Leave for 20 minutes and reapply after 12 hours if you do not experience any negative reaction.
It’s important to only use garlic on the skin and not on the mucous membranes, such as in the mouth or on the genital area because it can burn delicate skin.
Learn more about the antimicrobial properties of garlic.
Generally, certain compounds within ginger
That said, there’s no direct evidence that applying ginger on a boil can help cure it or reduce inflammation.
To use ginger, follow a similar process as the onion. You can use this method with various ingredients. It’s called a poultice.
Learn more about the healing properties of ginger.
Tridax daisy, also known as coat button, is a flowering plant native to the tropical Americas. People often regard it as a weed.
However, when concentrated and put into a gel form, it
While it may not cure a boil, it may be able to keep the infection from getting worse. Apply on the boil similarly to other ingredients in this list.
Devil’s horsewhip is a root native to Africa that has traditionally been used in the Middle East to treat skin conditions. People in the Middle East
Whether or not you try some of the herbal remedies suggested here, it’s very important that you keep the area of the boil clean. This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria or other potentially harmful substances. It also prevents them from getting into it the boil and causing an infection.
In addition, cleaning it when a doctor makes an incision to treat it medically
Keeping your sheets clean can also help in the healing process of boils. Clean sheets, washed in hot water and dried in a hot setting, can help prevent the development of microorganisms that may get into the boil and cause infection.
A boil may clear on its own with proper home care but not always. Your doctor may need to drain the boil. Otherwise, it could infect nearby areas or push the infection deeper into the skin, causing more boils or potentially life threatening infections.
If drainage is needed, a doctor will make a small incision on the boil and use sterile gauze to absorb and remove additional pus. This should only be done carefully and in a sterile environment by a healthcare professional, such as a doctor.
In some cases, home remedies won’t cut it for stubborn boils. You’ll need to see a doctor to treat it with prescription medication or have your doctor drain it. In addition, you should make an appointment with a doctor if:
- The boil keeps getting larger despite home treatment.
- After a week of home treatment, the boil hasn’t cleared up or diminished.
- 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 also have diabetes.
- You notice any other reactions when applying topical remedies.
The following sections answer some of your frequently asked questions about healing boils and taking care of them at home.
How do I get rid of a boil overnight?
There’s no way to completely get rid of a boil overnight. However, warm compresses, application of antibiotic cream, or use of creams made of natural remedies may help to lessen its severity and provide temporary relief to pain as it heals.
Can I pop a boil?
In a
Can a boil go away without draining?
A boil often requires some draining to help it go away. It may pop on its own, or a doctor can assist. You should not attempt to pop a boil on your own due to the risk of potential infection or other issues.
Can I use over-the-counter antibiotics?
An over-the-counter antibiotic ointment is typically fast-acting and soothing. However, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), it can only prevent the infection from spreading without the boil. This is because the ointment doesn’t penetrate the boil.
Learn more about antibiotics for boils.
Home remedies may be effective for small boils. Make sure to use them as needed to see the best results. Also, discuss their use with a doctor if you are considering them and if you have any questions.
If you haven’t seen results after a week — or if the boil has gotten larger, more painful, or started to show signs of infection — make an appointment with a doctor.
Your doctor may drain the boil by lancing it and prescribing antibiotics to treat the underlying infection. They might test a pus sample from the boil to determine the right antibiotic for you.
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