How to get rid of a boil?

Question

I have had this boil for a while now...I went to the doctor and she said in fact it was a boil. She gave me an antibiotic to treat the boil, the boil seemed to be going away, but I did not take the antibiotic like I was supposed to. (Every 12 hours)

So I called the doctor back and she called in the antibiotic again, this time I took the meds like I was supposed to. I have been done taking the meds for about 2 or 3 days now, and it is starting to hurt again. I think the boil is either coming back or never went away, I think the meds only calm the boil down while taking them. I have even tried to use a salve to bring the boil to a head....this is very frusterating...

I dunno what to do??? Please Help???

Answer 1

heat up a glass bottle in boiling water. Then take an ice pack and wrap it around the super hot bottle and carefully lift it out. place the mouth of the bottle over the boil and hold it there. As the bottle cools from the ice pack, it will create a vacuum and bring the boil to a head. its pretty gross but its amazing....it'll pull all the gunk right out. be sure to use antiseptic afterwards

Answer 2

I AM NOT AN MD BUT VERY BASIC INFO:

Boils are caused by a hair follicle (a tiny tunnel in the skin where hair grows from) or a tiny cut or scratch becoming infected by a bacteria (usually Staphylococcus aureus).

As a boil starts to develop, the body's immune system carries white cells in the blood to the site of the boil to do battle with the invading bacteria. The body also creates a fibrous wall around the 'battleground" to contain the infection.

Once the boil reaches a certain size, this fibrous wall prevents antibiotics in the bloodstream penetrating into the boil. Dead white cells and dead bacteria make up the liquid pus in the center of the boil and, because this liquid forms under pressure, it becomes painful.

A boil will always start to "point" towards the skin surface and will eventually burst, draining the pus, relieving pain and will then heal. This whole process can take 2 weeks, and often doctors will "lance" the boil early - make a deliberate hole in it to allow the pus to drain - to speed up the healing process.

It is very common for boils to "crop", that is, to occur as several boils that go through their life-cycle and heal and then occur weeks or months later. This condition is known as recurrent staphylococcal furunculosis. This condition can be very distressing and although a blood test will usually be arranged by a doctor(to exclude diabetes and other conditions), it is not often due to anything wrong with the sufferer's internal immunity. It is due to the continuing presence of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus on the skin and the susceptibility of the person to it.

Antibiotics can sometimes prevent a boil forming when used early but will do little to a well developed boil. However antibiotics are sometimes still used to prevent deeper infection occurring.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is often resistant to ordinary penicillin so this is not usually prescribed. A special form of Staphylococcus aureus has emerged over recent years called MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) which can be very difficult to treat with antibiotics and is particularly dangerous when it occurs in hospitals.

Answer 3

Last week I got some staph boils on my cheek. I put iodine on them and cleaned several times a day with antibacterial soap, then dried and reapplied the iodine. I also started using turmeric, which is sold in the spice section of large stores, about 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of juice and sipping, doing several times a day. This also I have been doing for several days. On day 2, the boils started to shrink. They never broke the skin. On the largest one, I now have a scab, but I am not going to pull it off. It looks bad, but I am just going to let it naturally fall off...I hope there won't be a scar...I used almost a whole little bottle of iodine doing this. Also, I mix a few drops of iodine into water in a plastic bucket and put my hands in and swish around to be sure the germs are not under my nails. I also put this solution up my forearms. And I soak my clothing in this type of solution for one whole day before washing them. The iodine burns when you apply it and it stains the skin. There is supposedly a colorless iodine but I dont know where to get it. Also I am taking garlic tabs. By day 3 the boils were completely dried up and there was no more swelling under the skin. I am at day 5 now and only have the large scab I described. I also made a cleaning solution of 1/2 hydrogen peroxide 1/2 water and some laundry detergent then used rubber gloves to clean such hot spots as refrig. door handles, other door knobs, kitchen counters, the entire bathroom. Eat more fresh fruits and vegies if you can. I take extra vitamin C also. I know MRSA is out there practically everywhere now, but I think I am better prepared now in case it attacks me again. The key of course, is to respond immediately. Also see a doctor as soon as you can. In my case, the boils were dried up before I could even get to a doctor...

Answer 4

Boils are a type of staph infection under the skin, combined with dead skin cells and dead white blood cells. the antibiotic will work only if you take it as directed. If you stop taking the med when you feel better you will will buid up resitance to it. Using a hot compress in the evening helps Don't sueeze it out though, you'll just spread it more under the skin.

Answer 5

I have not had a boil in years- but I hot packed it several times- I went through a period of time= where I had several in about 6 mos=and then no more- the md cut one w a scalpel- another tried w a syringe- and nope- it is not ready- what fun= D