Boils (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Boils Overview
- Causes of Boils
- Symptoms of Boils
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Boils Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Pictures of Boils - Slideshow

- Viewer Comments: Boils - Effective Treatments
Boils Treatment
Self-Care at Home
Home therapies should only be used on small boils. If your boil is bigger than a pea or has a lot of redness around it, seek medical attention rather than trying to deal with it yourself.
- Apply warm compresses, and soak the boil in warm water. This will decrease the pain and help draw the pus to the surface. Once the boil comes to a head, it will burst with repeated soakings. This usually occurs within five to seven days of its appearance. You can make a warm compress by soaking a wash cloth in warm water and squeezing out the excess moisture.
- When the boil starts draining, wash it with an antibacterial soap until all the pus is gone. Apply a medicated ointment and a bandage. Continue to wash the infected area two to three times a day and to use warm compresses until the wound heals.
- Do not pop the boil with a needle. This usually results in making the infection worse.
Next: Medical Treatment »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Boils - Effective Treatments
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