Boil or furuncle is a skin sore or abscess caused by the Bacterium Staphylococus aureus. The bacteria infect the hair follicle or oil gland resulting in inflammation and redness of skin in that particular area. Plugged sweat glands or any external or foreign material getting in to the deeper layers of skin through cuts or abrasions may also take the form of boil. The appearance of boil is like a red, hard and swollen mound with a yellowish or pale white centre filled with pus. This pus is composed of white blood cells that collect to fight the infection, bacteria, dead tissues and proteins. Finally the whitish centre of the mound forms a head which could be removed through surgery, or may burst open by itself to drain out the pus.
Boils are quite painful, and may be associated with fever, fatigue, chills and swollen lymph nodes. When a person suffers from recurring boils, the condition is termed as chronic furunculosis. Under severe conditions, the infection from the boil may enter in to the blood stream. The process is called sepsis, and it may pose a threat to life as well. Stress, illness, toxicity, hormonal imbalance, allergy, decreased immunity are factors accelerating the risk of boils. Boils can be contagious.
1. Furuncle or carbuncle - Furuncles are the common type consisting in pus filled lumps with a single head or opening. When a group of furuncles occur in clustered form with several heads, it is called carbuncle.
2. Cystic acne - This type is caused by the clogging and infection of oil ducts. It is common among teenagers.
3. Hidradenitis suppurativa - This type is caused by the inflammation and infection of sweat glands. Groins and armpits are the areas that are more prone to the attack of this type of boil.
4. Pilonidal cyst - This type usually occurs on the crease of buttocks. Initially it appears as a tiny dot caused by the inflammation of hair follicle. But later on, it takes the shape of large, painful nodules under the impact of pressure due to prolonged sitting.
1. Garlic is an excellent detoxifying agent. It helps the body to eliminate toxins.
2. Constipation worsens the problem of boils. Drinking lots of water and fiber based food can improve bowel movement habits.
3. Refined and processed food, sugar, flour are to be avoided.
4. Green leafy vegetables, fresh fruit juices should be included in diet to cleanse the system and increase the immunity power.
5. Herbal tea made out of herbs like Goldenseal, Burdock root, Echinacea can also detoxify the system.
6. A mixture of bitter gourd and lime juice can be taken daily to get relief from blood filled boils.
7. Another useful home remedies for boils are onion and garlic. A mixture of onion and garlic juice may be applied on boils to easily drain out the pus.
8. Betel leaf juice and castor oil can function as anti inflammatory agents.
9. A paste made out of milk cream, vinegar and turmeric is good for treating septic boils.
10. Turmeric powder is a good healing agent. It is a useful home remedy for boils.
11. Parsley leaf boiled in water and then placed on the boil can serve as a good poultice.
12. Cumin seed paste is a good natural remedy for boils.
13. Sauces, pickles, starchy and oily food should be avoided strictly.
14. Consumption of sweets, chocolates, caffeine should be cut down.
15. Tomato paste can effectively heal boils.
