I had a boil in my hand and took about 3 weeks to heal. What is the cause and what should I do?



Boils are tiny protrusions on the surface of the skin. Boils may or may not be filled with pus. Boils are a common skin impediment and there are various reasons that lead to this occurrence. Boils may appear due to heat, swelling or bacterial infection. Boils initiate as small protrusions but can increase in size and swelling with time. These painful nodules can also cause irritable skin. Scratching or picking at the boil when it is soft may rupture the boil and the pus may ooze out causing pain.

Boils usually last for a short period of time but can reappear if the reasons of such occurrence are left un-diagnosed. Unhealthy lifestyle, improper skin hygiene, inadequate diet, exposure to harsh weather and nutritional deficiencies can all contribute to such a condition. Picking on boils or scratching surfaces can leave marks which can be embarrassing in the future. Therefore, it is best to allow the boil to grow to its full size and contract naturally. It is also important to note that most boils are contagious and can spread to other areas if the pus from any boil contaminates nearby areas thus infecting the skins surface. As the infection spreads, more boils can be formed. A carbuncle is a condition wherein boils are formed in clusters as a larger area gets infected.

There are various home remedies that help speed the boil contraction process. One such effective remedy is using extracts of the margosa plant. Margosa leaves or bark can be ground to paste and be applied on affected areas. The margosa extracts have cleansing and healing properties. This arrests the infection and helps the boil heal faster. Another effective remedy is applying a clove of garlic on the affected area. This is known to heal open wounds faster. Applying lime juice or honey on the affected area is also known to speed the recovery process. Wash the ruptured boil with a cup of water and a tablespoon of salt to eliminate chances of pus infection.

Diet also helps eradicating boils. Diet intake must include fresh fruits, vegetables and focus more on eating raw foods and juices. Low oil foods as compared to fried and spicy foods will also help treat boils better. Increase your intake of fluids to eliminate toxins in the system and maintain a glowing healthy skin. Moderate exercise such as walking, swimming or cycling will also help the body build immunity to such minor infection and help you restore health faster.

answered by M W

The cause and duration of the boil is to be noted. Boils are generally harmless but make the skin look awesome! Application of boiled egg white as a poultice is an ancient remedy. Topical application of crushed garlic and onion or plain onion slices is effective in draining them. Cooked cornflour paste, applied and tied with a cloth is beneficial. Visit this site for a previously answered question on boils at, http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/663/advice-on-care-for-draining-boil-how-do-you-care-f.html

answered by r k


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