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BoilsA boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle or oil gland. At first, the skin turns red in the area of the infection, and a tender lump develops. After four to seven days, the lump starts turning white as pus collects under the skin. The most common places for boils to appear are on the face, neck, armpits, shoulders, and buttocks. When one forms on the eyelid, it is called a sty. If several boboils ils appear in a group, this is a more serious type of infection called a carbuncle. Causes of Boils... Most boils are caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus. This germ enters the body through tiny breaks in the skin or by travelling down a hair to the follicle. Certain health problems make people more susceptible to skin infections such as boils. Examples are Diabetes Problems with the immune system, Poor nutrition Poor hygiene Exposure to harsh chemicals that irritate the skin. Symptoms of Boils... A boil starts as a hard, red, painful lump usually less than an inch in size. Over the next few days, the lump becomes softer, larger, and more painful. Soon a pocket of pus forms on the top of the boil. Signs of a severe infection are Skin around the boil becomes red, painful and swollen More boils may appear around the original one Fever develops The lymph nodes become swollen. When to seek medical attention... You start running a fever. The skin around the boil turns red or red streaks appear. The pain becomes severe. The boil does not drain. A second boil appears. You have a heart murmur, diabetes, any problem with your immune system, or are taking medications that suppress the immune system (for example, corticosteroids or chemotherapy for cancer) and you develop a boil. Boils usually do not need immediate emergency attention. If you are in poor health and you develop high fever and chills along with the infection, a trip to a hospital's emergency department is needed. Self care at Home... Apply warm compresses, and soak the boil in warm water. This will decrease the pain and help draw the pus to the surface. Once the boil comes to a head, it will burst with repeated soakings. This usually occurs within five to seven days of its appearance. You can make a warm compress by soaking a wash cloth in warm water and squeezing out the excess moisture. When the boil starts draining, wash it with an antibacterial soap until all the pus is gone. Apply a medicated ointment and a bandage. Continue to wash the infected area two to three times a day and to use warm compresses until the wound heals. Do not pop the boil with a needle. This usually results in making the infection worse. Hot compresses with essential oils can be used to “draw” a boil and help healing. The most suitable essential oils to use are Tea Tree and Lavender although Chamomile Roman can also be helpful. The whole area should be washed 3 times a day using these oils diluted 3%. Often a person will suffer from boils if they have a high level of toxicity in the body so regular massages and baths using purifying, detoxifying oils such as Juniper and Lavender can help. Garlic perles taken daily can help to detoxify and herbal infusions such as nettle and fennel can be beneficial. Dietary advice may benefit if the sufferer has recurring trouble with boils. Boils can also appear when the persons resistance has been lowered by stress or illness. |
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