Boils

Boils are nothing, but a skin disease, caused by the infection of hair follicles. The problem is usually caused by Staphylococcus, a strain of bacterium that normally lives on the skin surface. While some boils which come and fade away on their own, without causing any trouble, others last a long time and cause pain and irritation. Face, shoulders, back, buttocks and underarms are the regions where boils usually occur. Boils do not come instantly. At first, the affected area becomes red and soft. There may be an itching sensation as well. Slowly, the boil begins to form. The bacteria that cause boils might also mix with the white blood cells, resulting in the formation of pus. Boils can be cured using some home remedies. Not only do they provide instant relief but also remove the boil completely.

• Red, painful and swollen skin around the boil
• Occurrence of multiple boils
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Red streaks
• Severe pain
• Irritation and itching on the affected area
• Pus-formed pustules

• Staphylococcus germs
• Toxicity in blood stream
• Faulty diet
• Frantic pace of living
• Diabetes
• Problems with the immune system
• Poor nutrition
• Poor hygiene
• Exposure to harsh chemicals that irritate the skin
• Alcoholism or drug abuse
• Crowded living arrangements
• Jobs or hobbies that expose you to greasy or oily substances, especially petroleum products
• Allergies or immune system disorders, including HIV infection
• Family members with recurrent skin infections

• Boils can be cured by using onions and garlic. Extract the juice of either of the two and apply it on the boil. It would ripen the boil and break it, thus evacuating the pus. You also use onion and garlic together, mixing the juices in equal quantities.
• For blood-filled boils, mix a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice with 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Have this mixture in the morning, on an empty stomach, till the boil gets cured completely.
• Another efficient remedy would be to apply a mixture of 1 tsp milk cream, 1 tsp vinegar and a pinch of turmeric powder, on the boils. This would ripen the boil without letting it get septic.
• Betel leaves is known for its medicinal properties. Gently warm betel leaves and coat them with castor oil. Spread the leaves on the boil and cover with a bandage. Change the leaves with new ones after every few hours.
• Make a paste of cumin seeds, along with water. Apply this paste on the boil and leave overnight.
• The decoction of margosa leaves is good for treating boils. Boil 15 gm margosa leaves in 500 ml water, until the solution reduces to 1/3rd. Apply it on the affected area, after it cools down.
• Hot parsley proves efficient in treating boils. Boil some water and steep parsley in it, till it becomes soft and juicy. Thereafter, wrap the parsley in a clean muslin or linen cloth and apply on the boils, as a poultice.
• Turmeric heals boils effectively. Roast a few dry roots of turmeric and dissolves the ashes in a cup of water. After five minutes, apply the solution over affected areas. This would ripen the boil and burst it.