A skin abscess, commonly called a boil or boil, is a painful lump of pus that develops on the surface of the skin. It can be as small as a pea or as large as a golf ball and can develop anywhere on the body. Blisters are usually caused by infection of a hair follicle or sebaceous glands. While painful and unsightly, boils are not a serious problem and can be treated effectively at home. That's how.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Dealing with Bubbles
Step 1. Make sure it's actually bubbles
Before starting any type of treatment it is important to make sure that it is not something else. Blisters are caused by infection of a hair follicle or sebaceous glands with staph aureus. They are contagious and can spread to other parts of the body or to someone else who touches them.
- The blisters can be confused with a cyst or have an underlying cyst; in this case it is necessary to consult a doctor.
- You may also be confused with acne, especially if they appear on the face or upper back. Acne treatment is completely different than boils, so make sure you understand what it is first.
- If the affected area is that of the genitals, it is very likely that it is more of a venereal disease.
- If you are unsure whether you recognize the problem, see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Step 2. Apply warm compresses to the bubble
As soon as you notice that a boil is starting to form, you need to start the treatment with warm compresses. The earlier you start treatment, the less likely you will have complications. Make a compress by placing a clean towel under hot water until wet and then wring out the excess moisture. Press the warm, damp cloth gently onto the bubble for 5-10 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
- The hot compress works in various ways to accelerate the healing of the blister. First, the heat increases blood circulation to the area, helping to attract antibodies and white blood cells to the area of the infection. The heat also attracts pus to the surface of the bubble, and promotes rapid drainage. Finally, the warm compress helps relieve pain.
- Instead of a warm compress, you can also soak the boil in warm water if it's in a comfortable area of the body to do so. For blisters in the lower body, sitting in a warm bath can help.
Step 3. Don't puncture or pop the bubble at home
Since the surface is soft and filled with pus, it can be tempting to pop the skin with a needle to drain the contents. However, this is not recommended as it can cause the boil to become infected or the bacteria contained within it to spread, causing even more blisters. As you continue to apply warm compresses to the area, the blister should burst and purge on its own within a couple of weeks.
Step 4. Wash the drained bubble with antibacterial soap
Once the blister begins to purge, it is very important to keep the area clean. Wash the pimple thoroughly with antibacterial soap and warm water, until all the pus is drained. Once clean, blot the blister with a clean cloth or paper towel, which will need to be washed or thrown away immediately after use to avoid spreading the infection.
Step 5. Apply antibacterial cream and cover the blister
Next, you should apply an antibacterial cream or ointment to the boil and cover it with gauze. The gauze allows the blister to continue purging, so you need to change the dressing often. Antibacterial creams and ointments made specifically to cope with skin abscesses are available as over-the-counter products in drugstores.
Change the dressing every 12 hours. Change it more often only if the bandages get too drenched in blood or pus
Step 6. Continue applying warm compresses until the blister has completely healed
Once drained, you should continue applying warm compresses, cleaning the area, and covering the blister until fully healed. As long as you take care to keep the area clean, no complications should arise and the boil should heal completely within a week or two.
Make sure you wash your hands with antibacterial soap before and after touching the blister to avoid spreading the infection
Step 7. See a doctor if the blister does not clear within two weeks, or if it becomes infected
In some cases, medical treatment is needed to cure the skin abscess, due to its size, location, or infection. The doctor will have to puncture the blister, either in his office, or with surgery. It could be cases where the blister has several pockets of pus to empty, or it could be in a delicate spot like the nose or ear canal. If the blister or surrounding skin becomes infected, you may need an injection of antibiotics or you should be prescribed oral treatment. Here's when you should see your doctor:
- If you develop a boil on the face or spine, in the nose or ear canal, or in the crease between the buttocks. These boils can be extremely painful and are difficult to treat at home.
- If the blisters recur. In some cases, treating recurring boils in areas such as the groin and armpits may require the removal of sweat glands that become inflamed and cause blisters.
- If the blisters are accompanied by fever, red streaks oozing from the boil, redness and inflammation of the skin around the blister. These are all signs of infection.
- If you have a disease (such as cancer or diabetes) or if you are taking medications that weaken the immune system. In these cases, the body may not be able to fight the blister infection on its own.
- If the boil does not clear after two weeks of home treatment or if it is extremely painful.
Part 2 of 3: Preventing Bubbles
Step 1. Do not share towels, clothes, or bedding with someone with a skin abscess
While blisters themselves aren't contagious, the bacteria that cause them are. That is why it is very important to use caution and avoid sharing towels, clothes, or bedding used by a family member with abscesses. These items should be washed thoroughly after use by the infected person.
Step 2. Maintain good hygiene
Good hygiene is probably the most important thing you can do to prevent blisters. Since they are usually caused by bacteria that infect hair follicles, you should prevent bacteria from forming on the surface of the skin with daily cleaning. Regular soap is fine, but if you are prone to developing pimples, an antibacterial cleanser may be better.
You can also use a scrubbing brush or sponge, such as a vegetable sponge, to clean the leather. This prevents the sebum from becoming blocked around the hair follicles
Step 3. Clean any cuts or wounds immediately and thoroughly
Bacteria can easily enter the body through cuts and wounds on the skin. They can travel along the hair follicle where there is infection and develop blisters. To avoid this problem, be sure to thoroughly clean all small cuts and scrapes with an antibacterial wash, apply a cream or ointment, and cover with a bandage until healed.
Step 4. Avoid sitting for long periods of time
The blisters that form between the buttocks, also known as "pilonidal cysts", usually develop as a result of direct pressure caused by prolonged sitting over time. These are common among truckers and people who have recently taken a long air trip. If you can, try to relieve the pressure by taking frequent breaks to stretch your legs.
Part 3 of 3: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Keep in mind that home remedies may not be effective for boils
While it's okay to try, they are not recommended by doctors. Although there is no danger, you may still need medical advice and apply the most appropriate treatment.
Step 2. Use tea tree oil
It is a natural antiseptic used in the treatment of numerous skin conditions, including boils. Just apply a small amount of tea tree oil directly to the boil once a day with a cotton swab.
Step 3. Try magnesium sulfate, also known as English salt
It is a drying agent that can help you cure the blister. To use it, dissolve the magnesium sulfate in warm water and use this water to make a warm compress to put on the bubble. Repeat three times a day until the bubble begins to drain.
Do not immerse your whole body in salts, especially if you are a woman. It could have negative effects on the health of the vagina
Step 4. Try turmeric
It is an Indian spice with impressive anti-inflammatory properties. It also acts as a blood purifier. Turmeric can be taken orally in capsules, or it can be mixed with a little water to form a paste to be applied directly to the bubble. The important thing is to cover the bubble with a bandage afterwards, because turmeric can stain clothes.
Step 5. Apply colloidal silver cream
It is a natural disinfectant used successfully in the home treatment of boils. Just rub some cream directly on the abscess twice a day.
Step 6. Use apple cider vinegar
It is a natural disinfectant that can be used to clean the infection once the blister has started to drain. Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and press gently. If you feel it burns too much, dilute it 50% with water before treatment.
Step 7. Try castor oil
It is used in numerous natural and medical treatments - including chemotherapy for cancer patients. It is an effective anti-inflammatory that can be used to reduce swelling and soften blisters. Dip a cotton ball in castor oil and place it on the bubble. Secure the cotton ball with a patch or gauze. Change it every 2 to 3 hours.
