Boils, also referred to as abscesses, are areas of the skin that become infected and redden until you notice tenderness at the site. As the infection progresses, a bump will grow on the spot as white blood cells are sent by the body to the boil. You can use several different medicines as a way to cure boils.
Features
Boils occur when hair follicles under the skin become infected with staph bacteria. The bacteria are able to get under your skin through cuts and scratches on the surface. Once the infection progresses, a boil is formed through a collection of pus at the site. The pus is made up of mostly white blood cells, along with the bacteria and dead skin.
Over-the-Counter Medicines
You can use a topical cream or ointment in order to cure a boil. You can find many of these products over the counter; their likely active ingredients include silver and zinc. An example of an over-the-counter boil remedy is Terrasil. If you have discomfort associated with the boil, you should take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Prescriptions
If a boil starts to feel very painful or continues to fill with pus, you should see a doctor about potential drug treatments. A doctor may give you an antibiotic to take as a way to get rid of the bacterial infection accompanying the boil. You will likely be given a five- to 10-day course of antibiotics to treat the infection.
Considerations
You may not require medicine to cure a boil. Using heat therapy at the site can often help relieve tenderness as the body fights off the infection. To utilize heat therapy, place a hot pack on the boil for 15 minutes three times a day. If the boil is severe and requires drainage, a doctor will need to lance the boil to cure it. Gauze may need to be applied at the site to allow the boil to continue to drain.
Warning
Never attempt to lance the boil on your own or use prescription antibiotics without a doctor's direction. Performing these actions without a physician's input can lead to the infection spreading.
Tags: become infected, blood cells, cure boil, heat therapy, infection progresses, lance boil, white blood