What are the reasons for boils?

Question

A friend of mine has noticed boils coming up on her legs does anyone know what can cause this? She hasn't yet seen a Dr although I have advised she should for maybe some lotion. Can this be caused by shaving and maybe using someone elses razor? Unsure!?
Thanks.

Answer 1

CAUSES OF BOILS?

Causes of Boils
Staphylococcus germs
Boils are caused mainly by staphylococcus germs which enter the sweat glands or hair follicles. The essential cause of this disorder is thus bacterial. However, several factors predispose the growth of bacteria in hair follicles.
Toxic condition in blood stream
Of these, the chief factor is a toxic condition in the blood stream, which is due to a faulty diet and a frenetic pace of living. Boils generally appear when a person is in a run-down and devitalised condition.

Home Remedies for Boils and Skin Boils
Boils treatment using Garlic and Onion
Garlic and onions have proved most effective among the several home remedies found beneficial in the treatment of boils. The juice of garlic or onion may be applied externally on boils to help ripen them, break them, and evacuate the pus. An equal quantity of the juices of these two vegetables can also be applied with beneficial results. Eating of two to three pods of garlic during meals will also bring good results.
Boils treatment using Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd is another effective home remedy for blood-filled boils. A cupful of fresh juice of this vegetable, mixed with a teaspoon of lime juice, should be taken, sip by sip, on an empty stomach daily for a few months to treat this condition.
Boils treatment using Milk Cream
Milk cream is beneficial in the treatment of boils. One teaspoon of milk cream, mixed with half a tea spoon of vinegar, and a pinch of turmeric powder, makes an excellent poultice. It helps in ripening the blood boils and in their healing without allowing them to become septic.
Boils treatment using Betel Leaves
Betel leaves are a valuable remedy for boils. A leaf is gently warmed till it becomes soft. It is then coated with a layer of castor oil. The oiled leaf should be spread over the inflamed part. It should be replaced every few hours. After a few applications, the skin boil will rupture, draining out all the purulent matter.
Boils treatment using Cumin Seeds
Cumin seeds are beneficial in the treatment of boils. The seeds should be ground in water and made into a paste. This paste can be applied to boils with beneficial results.
Boils treatment using Margosa Leaves
The use of margosa leaves has proved effective in boils. They can be used as a poultice, decoction, or liniment with beneficial results. To make the decoction, 15 gm of margosa leaves should be boiled in 500 ml of water till it is reduced by one-third.
Boils treatment using Parsley
To treat boils, this vegetable should be steeped in boiled water till it is soft and juicy. When comfortably hot, it should be wrapped with clean muslin or linen cloth and applied to the boils as a poultice.
Boils treatment using Turmeric
Application of turmeric powder on boils speeds up the healing process. In the case of fresh boils, a few dry roots of turmeric are roasted, the ashes dissolved in a cupful of water, and then applied over the affected portion. This solution enables the boils to ripen and burst.

Diet For Patients With Skin Boils
Fast on orange juice with water
A thorough cleansing of the system is essential for the treatment of boils. To begin with, the patient may fast on orange juice diluted with water on a 50:50 basis for three to four days, or adopt an exclusive diet of fresh juicy fruits from five to seven days.
Well-balanced diet
After the short juice fast or the all-fruit diet, as the case may be, the patient should adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on wholegrain cereals, raw vegetables, and fresh fruits. Further periods of a juice fast or an all-fruit diet may be necessary, depending on the general health level and bodily condition of the patient.
Avoid tea/coffee, cakes, pastries, condiments and sauces
The patient should avoid tea and coffee, starchy and sugary foods, especially cakes, pastries, sweets, chocolates, white sugar, and white bread. He should also avoid all condiments, pickles, and sauces.

Other Boils treatments
Warm-water enema
A warm-water enema should be given daily during the initial juice fast or all-fruit diet. This will help to cleanse the bowels.
Warm moist compresses would be applied
Warm moist compresses should be applied three or four times a day over the tender area. This will help to bring the boil to a head and encourage easy drainage.
Hot Epsom salts bath
A hot Epsom salts bath is highly beneficial and should be taken by the patient two or three times in a week until the boils persist and once a week thereafter.
Dry massage followed by cold sponge
Other helpful measures in the treatment of boils are daily dry massage in the morning followed by a cold sponge.
Breathing and outdoor exercises
Fresh air, breathing exercises, and outdoor exercises are also essential for toning up the system.
Avoid constipation
In case constipation is habitual, all measures should be taken to overcome it.

Answer 2

Reasons For Boils

Answer 3

if they are on the inner legs it could be caused by rubbing. this area will develop a lot of sweat and the rubbing will weaken the skin. then stuff gets into the pores and then bacteria proliferates and a boil is created. being overweight doesnt help them at all.
when you get one hot compresses. and epsom salt soaks will rid it quickly

to prevent them or at least slow them down wipe the afflicted area with baby wipes 3-4 times a day. this will help keep the pores clean and reduce the number of skin bacteria. also a mild antibiotic taken long term can help. Lower stress levels will increase your immunity and the bacteria will have a hard time getting a foot hold.

Answer 4

Since everybody's pretty much established the causes, may I add a remedy that recently worked well for me? I had one on my back. After using hot compresses on it and shrinking it somewhat, a friend told me to eat raisins daily (they have some iron in them 'tho not a lot). That boil just went down to almost nothing. I continue to eat a daily handful of raisins. I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but I choose to believe that they helped.

Answer 5

She should see a doc, that's first! Yes, using someone else's razor
could cause it! My step Father had them a lot, The doc said his was from eating to many eggs) The best bet for her is to see a Doc! There can be many causes!

Answer 6

my big sis was prone to boils ...i know she had me pop a lot....she got one on here inter thigh that would not go away and the doctor told her it will go away don't worry...well about 3 months later it was still there and she had to go back 2 doc 4 because of a bad cough that she could not shake and she showed it to him and again said it was nothing.....we convinced her to go to another doc. she did a biopsy on it and guess what it WAS CANCER...and it had spread to her lungs by then.....she was told on Aug.2 of 2004and died on Nov.17 2004......i am not saying that u friend has this problem but if it don't go away in a few days(come to a head) then get her to the doctors ASAP......

Answer 7

i asked a question similar to this a few days ago, i had what i thought were boils on my leg, they turned out to be blisters and i went to the doctor who diagnosed Shingles. i would suggest she get to a doctor soon in case it is the same thing.

Answer 8

boils are always result of infection , usually pores, hair follicles or cuts. A dirty razor and unclean shaving methods can cause it. ... Wash well with soap and water, use anti biotic ointment .. you can pop those things and wash them with peroxide if you want

Answer 9

Are you sure they are boils? If you are absolutley sure, you can buy boil ease or a drawing salve from the drug store. It is hard to answer this question with out seeing them, but no one needs to make a diagnosis, tell her to see her doctor

Answer 10

Boils? Holy **** she bettah get to Dr.!