A boil is a painful, pus-filled small bump found under the dermis which is generally caused by infection and inflamed hair follicles.
A boil is formed when the bacteria insert under the skin and occupy one or more hair follicles by causing infection.
A boil is also known as furuncles a form of skin infection that starts with an infection in the hair follicles.
Boil causes redness and burning of the skin, development of a hard lump, it becomes whitish and yellowish forming pus with the swollen area.
The pus is accumulated and at a growing stage, it gets ruptures easily by draining the pus.
A boil is usually soft and forms a small head filled with pus which gets drained easily.
Everyone develops boil at some or the other stage of their life.
These are not very serious and heal within a week.
Boils are generally caused by staphylococcus aureus. This is a type of bacteria that is found on the dermis.
A boil is sometimes painful because of the pressure on the skin it develops and grows bigger in size.
Boil Types
There are mainly 3 types of boils which are as follows: –
1. Cystic Acne
Cystic Acne is a very uncommon and rare condition.
There is an accumulation of sebum and overgrowth of the skin cell which clogs the pores.
It also causes a red, hard, bumpy, extremely painful boil filled with pus especially on the face, back, and chest.
This is highly found in teenage adults as hormones play a vital role in their development.
2. Hidradenitis Suppurativa
In Hidradenitis Suppurativa, this condition lasts for a long period.
There are multiple abscesses found deep into the hair follicles which contain oil and sweat glands.
They are also formed where the skin rubs together such as in the groin region, armpits, under the breast, etc. which leads to the development of large bumps that burst and release pus later.
3. Pilonidal Cyst
A pilonidal cyst is a type of boil that appears on the base of the dermis.
It is generally found on the crease of the buttocks leads to causes infection first and then causes abscesses later on.
Pilonidal cyst causes inflammation first due to direct pressure on the affected area.
After a few days, it gets inflamed, irritated, hard, and very painful and the area also gets enlarged which leads to the formation of a nodule.
This causes difficulty and discomfort in standing, sitting, and lying.
Boil Causes
There are several causes of Boil such as: –
1. Bacteria
Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus causes boil which causes infections and inflammation on the skin.
The bacteria are generally found on the skin and inside the nose.
The bacteria enters the deeper skin through an infected cut or wound which infects and inflame one or more hair follicles which results in the development of boils.
2. Infection
The infection causes many other symptoms of the boil.
In infection, the presence of any foreign particle under the dermis.
The infection develops through cuts, wounds, or insect bites which leads to infection and inflammation of the boil.
3. Ingrown Hair
The boil can be caused by the ingrowth of hair on the skin.
This is generally caused by localized inflammation of the skin.
This ingrown hair comes out of the skin, and the hair follicles get clogged with dead tissues and force the hair to grow in the inward direction.
4. Affected Site
A person may have a boil anywhere in the body. It generally grows when the production of sweat is more.
The most commonly affected areas are the face, tip of the nose, chest, and back, Arms and armpits, buttocks, gums, etc. Boil on gums is called gumboil.
Boil Symptoms
There are many signs and symptoms which is seen in patients during the boil.
Symptoms that include boils are as follows: –
1. The patient shows all signs of inflammation along with redness.
2. There is dull, stitching pain around the area of the boil.
3. The patient feels soreness and swelling.
4. There is excessive heat that radiates to the affected area along with tenderness.
5. There is pus formation which may be thick, and yellowish with an offensive smell sometimes.
6. There is a feeling of tiredness, dullness, and fatigue with the feverish feeling associated with the boil, till it gets cured.
7. There is also swelling around the lymph nodes.
Some of the signs and symptoms occur based on stages such as:-
First Stage
At the first stage of a boil, the first sign of inflammation is seen. It usually occurs suddenly and violently.
Second Stage
At the second stage of the boil, there is a small bump that is red, hot, and hard on the skin.
The affected area feels very much heated.
Third Stage
At the third stage of the boil, there is localized swelling and a feeling of soreness in the boil.
There is also dull aching and stitching pain in the boil.
Fourth Stage
At the fourth stage of the boil, there is slight yellowish pus filled at the center of the lump.
It is seen that the boil is ready to discharge the pus.
Sometimes the pus is very offensive.
Size of the Boil
The size of the boil differs from a pea-sized to a size of a golf ball.
Risk Factors for Boil
Some common risk factors of boils are as follows:-
- There is a cut or wound that does not heal easily and is not kept covered or clean.
- The patient may have poor hygiene and malnutrition.
- If the patient is suffering from diabetes, thyroid, or any other hormonal imbalance may have a high risk of getting boils continuously.
- The person who uses many cosmetic products regularly may irritate the skin and is harmful to the skin.
- The person who is more prone to acne, pimples excessive itching may also have a high risk of developing boils.
- If the patient is having close contact with a person who is already having an infection, especially from Staphylococcus.
- The person having hypogammaglobulin with inadequate production of antibodies may have a high risk of the development of boils.
Diagnosis
The following diagnostics test for boil are as follows:-
1. Visual Examination
It is very easy to diagnose a boil just by looking at the patient.
A physician may treat you by looking at your boil and its symptoms.
In severe cases, a sample of pus is sent to the laboratory for further detection.
Boil Management
There are many ways to manage boil such as: –
1. Use Warm Compression
Use warm compression with a wash cloth and try to compress the affected area for a few days.
Do this process for 10 minutes each time.
This process helps in the rupture and drains the boil more easily.
2. Never Squeeze Boil
By squeezing boil yourself it may increase the chances of the infection quickly.
If you want that boil to squeeze, take the help of anyone with clean hands but avoid doing it by yourself.
3. Prevent Contamination
After treating a boil, wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water.
Also keep clean the towel, cloth, and compressor that are used and touched in the affected area because may cause recurrent infection.
4. Maintain Proper Hygiene
Keep yourself neat clean and hydrated.
Avoid oily and spicy food as possible.
Take bath daily and keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
Boil On Different Areas
Boil On Tongue
Boil or tongue blisters are found inside the tongue tissue.
It gets inflamed and is known as Candidiasis.
This condition develops when the yeast infection develops in the mouth causing small bumps on the tongue and inside the cheeks.
It is also caused by canker sores, bacterial infections, allergies, oral cancer, etc.
To avoid this condition, drink plenty of water, avoid spicy and oily food as much as you can and use an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Boil On Buttocks
Boil on the buttocks is a bacterial infection. The skin is red, and hard, with painful bumps filled with pus.
It is usually caused by staphylococcus aureus infecting the base of the dermis.
To avoid boils on the buttocks, keep your skin clean and apply oily moisture that helps in healing the boil within 2 weeks.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Boil
Homeopathic treatments help to cure all types of diseases according to Hahnemann’s laws, logic, and principles.
He believes in the law of similia similibus curator and the totality of symptoms for the process of cure and making a person healthy.
Here are a few medicines for Boils mentioned below: –
• Arsenicum Album
• Arnica Montana
• Apis Mellifica
• Belladonna
• Calendula
• Calcarea Sulphuricum
• Echinacea Angustifolia
• Hepar Sulphuricus
• Mercurius Solubilis
• Silicea
1. ARSENICUM ALBUM – for offensive discharge from boil
Arsenicum Album is the top remedy for offensive discharge from the boil.
The discharge of the boil is acrid, thin, and very offensive.
It is also used for deeply infected boil with intense pain.
The patient feels anxiety, discomfort, exhaustion, and slight restlessness till the boil cures.
There is a slight fever with the occurrence of the boil.
Dose and Potency: – Take 4 – 5 drops of arsenic album dilution in half a cup of water and mix it well three times a day such as the morning, afternoon, and evening.
2. ARNICA MONTANA – for the occurrence of boil in crops
Arnica Montana is an indicated remedy for the occurrence of boil in crops.
It is also given in case of small painful boils.
It has its peculiar symptom that one boil is cured then the other comes out with intense burning, heating, and redness.
Dose and Potency: – Take 5 drops of arnica dilution in half a cup of water and mix it well three times a day such as the morning, afternoon, and evening.
3. APIS MELLIFICA – for stitching, burning pain in a boil
Apis mellifica is useful for stitching and burning pain in boils.
It works best in case of a boil with swelling.
It works best with patients in case of irritation during extreme pain in the boil.
There is swelling with watery fluid in the localized area with redness and inflammation.
Dose and Potency: – Take 5 drops of Apis mellifica dilution in half a cup of water and mix it well three times a day such as in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
4. BELLADONNA – for early stages of inflammation in a boil
Belladonna is useful for the early stages of inflammation in boil before the pus formation.
The affected area is hot, red, and tender with throbbing pain in it.
The patient feels discomfort and feverish feeling till the boil cures.
The area is also very sensitive to touch, and the skin turns blue at a later stage of boil.
Dose and Potency: – Take 8 – 10 drops of belladonna mother tincture in half a cup of water three times daily such as in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
5. CALENDULA – an herbal remedy for boil
Calendula is used in an herbal or low dilution form on the affected area.
Calendula ointment helps to overcome the infection of the boil.
It works as an antiseptic for any kind of injury in homeopathic therapeutics.
Dose and Potency: – Take 2 – 3 drops of calendula dilution in half a cup of water and mix it well three times a day such as the morning, afternoon, and evening.
6.CALCAREA SULPHURICUM – for yellowish discharge
Calcarea Sulphuricum is indicated for yellowish discharge from the boil.
The patient complains of excessive stress, weakness, and dullness during the boil.
It is the best remedy for thick yellowish discharge along with suppuration of the boil.
Dose and Potency: – Take 2 – 3 drops of Calcarea sulphuricum dilution in half a cup of water and mix it well three times a day such as in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
7.ECHINACAE AUGUSTIFOLIA – helps to overcome the immune system
Echinacea Augustifolia is a wonderful remedy for boils and many other skin infections as it helps to overcome the immune system and make the body respond energized.
The patient with this remedy feels sickly, lethargic, achy, and chilly.
Dose and Potency: – Take 2-3 tablets of echinacea augustifolia 3 times daily such as in the morning, afternoon, and evening only in trituration form.
8. HEPAR SULPHURICUS – for boil which is painful and inflamed at the edges
Hepar sulphuric is a wonderful remedy for boil which is painful and inflamed at the edges.
The patient feels slightly sensitive to touching the affected part.
Hepar Sulphuricum is the top remedy for all kinds of skin affections and infections including acne, pimple, eczema, edema, boils, carbuncles, etc.
Dose and Potency: – Take 15 drops of Hepar Sulphuricum mother tincture in half a cup of water daily such as in the morning, afternoon and evening 15 minutes before taking food.
9.MERCURICUS SOLUBILIS – for greasy looking boil
Mercurius Solubilis is useful in treating a greasy-looking boil on the skin with offensive breath and he/she is very sensitive to temperature.
The patient complains that warm weather and warm season aggravate their pain.
There are small pimples around the boil with excessive itching.
Dose and Potency: – Take 5 drops of Mercurius solubilis dilution in half a cup of water 3 times daily such as in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
10. SILICEA – for suppuration
Silicea is a very useful remedy for all kinds of skin infections and affections.
It works as a suppuration catalyst for all kind of eruptions.
The affected area of a boil is red, hot, inflamed, tender, and feels discomfort.
Silicea works well when there is slow healing power.
Dose and Potency: – Take 5 drops of Silicea dilution in half a cup of water 3 times daily such as in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
11. SULPHUR – for chronic boils
Sulphur is the king antipsoric remedy for all skin types.
It helps to cure chronic boils.
It is given in case when the boil has a slow maturation process.
There is a reddish appearance near the boil.
Dose and Potency: – Take 5 drops of Sulphur dilution in half a cup of water 3 times daily such as in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
12.TARENTULA CUBENSIS – helps when the boil is sore and swollen
Tarentula Cubensis is used for treating boil when it is sore and swollen with stinging, burning pain.
There is a purplish and blueish appearance around the boil on the affected area.
The person feels restless and has difficulty sleeping.
Dose and Potency: – Take 5 drops of tarantula dilution in half a cup of water 3 times daily such as in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
Remember that homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.