Boils

boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. They are quite painful, particularly in areas where the skin is closely attached to the underlying tissues, such as the nose, ears, or fingers. They usually occur in teenagers and young adults.

Several strains of the bacteria have evolved to be insensitive to antibiotics and can in some serious cases cause disease. Furuncles may occur in the hair follicles anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the face, neck, armpit, buttocks, and thighs.

Types of Boils

Furuncle or carbuncle boil: This is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus. It can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills.

2. Hidradenitis suppurativa Boil: This is an illness in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the arm pits and in the groin area. These are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands.

3. Pilonidal cyst Boil: This is a special kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. These frequently form after long trips that involve sitting.

4. Cystic acne Boils: This is a type of abscess formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years.


Causes of Boils

There are many causes of boils, some of these are as:

lowered immune system
ingrown hair


Symptoms of Boils

The skin around the boil becomes infected. It turns red, painful, warm, and swollen.
There maybe localized swelling, redness and induration.
More boils may appear around the original one.
Fever


Home Remedies to get rid of Boils

Grind neem tree bark in water and apply as a paste.
Grind the bark of the castor tree and the root of biskhapra together and apply as a paste.
Keep your bowels clear and avoid sour or fatty foods.
Eating melons helps the bowels and also cleanses the blood.
Take a leaf of the peepal tree, smear it with ghee and apply as a lukewarm bandage on the boil. It will burst in its preliminary stage and the growth will subside.
Apply warm honey, honey and oil – wheat germ for preference - or honey, fresh fig and thyme simmered together or dip half a fresh fig in honey and apply it cut side down. This will prevent boil.
Mix the powdered bark of slippery elm with eucalyptus oil to make a thick, soothing poultice that is also effective on cuts, whitlows and carbuncles. This will help in curing boil.
Essential oils of camomile, lavender, lemon, myrrh or thyme : Use either direct or on a hot compress to relieve pain and reduce infection. This will completely remove boil.