The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Linda (Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA) on 01/03/2009
★★★★★
I started getting boils repeatedly in the last couple of years on different parts of my body, but I stopped the cycle successfully through natural remedies. If I ever get another one, I'll definitely try the Turmeric, but for now, I wanted to share what worked for me.
I always try to find the cause of my health problems so that I can cure it permanently versus just treating the symptoms, and this method has always worked great for me. I noticed my boils started after I had been taking a high potency multi-vitamin for awhile, and after that, whenever I ate chocolate and peanuts. I also believe I might have gotten some type of fungal infection in my blood that was causing them. For immediate relief of pain and inflammation, I used ice packs (hot water made mine worse). To kill the infection on the surface, I put a few drops of Tea Tree Oil (natural anti-bacterial) on a cotton ball pre-moistened with hydrogen peroxide and applied it several times throughout the day (sometimes this alone cured them). If I ever got a boil on an area of skin that was touching another area of skin, I would make sure to apply the Tea Tree oil on all skin that was touching the boil. For a stubborn boil I had on my abdomen once, I mixed a very small amount of Goldenseal powder (natural anti-bacterial) with a teaspoon of Castor Oil, put them on a gauze pad over the boil, secured it with Bandaids and then covered it gently with a heating pad for about 20 minutes 3 times a day. Both of these natural ingredients are drawing agents, and they worked wonders to start pulling the infection right out of the skin within hours. By the next day, the infection was completely out and the boil was gone. Once the wound closed a little, I applied Aloe Vera gel to it regularly to prevent any scarring.
To stop the cycle of recurring boils, I did two things: I learned that a boil happens when the body has a toxin that it cannot get out fast enough through the normal channels. Since I generally eat a healthy, whole foods diet, I figured the only other thing it could be was my multi-vitamin supplement, so I stopped taking it. Soon after that, the number and severity of my boils went way down. To finish off any other toxins, I decided to try a medicinal herb that is very effective at killing bacteria, fungus and viruses: Pau d'Arco. I drank 1 cup of Pau d'Arco tea daily for 2 months, and I've not had another boil since, even after eating too much chocolate and nuts during the holidays. These safe, natural methods were extremely effective for me, and I love the idea that they also taught me how to prevent any future recurrances.
Vick's Vapor Rub
Posted by Tony (Duncan, OK) on 12/09/2008
★★★★★
VICK'S VAPOR RUB cured my MRSA
by Tony Walker
July- Duncan, OK. - I got chigger bites that got infected on the lower front of my leg.
Aug.- The infection spread showing up in new spots on the front of my lower leg. The new spots looked like oversized Zits with a white puss head 1/8 and a hardness under it of 1/4 across.
Sept.- The spots on the front of my leg cleared up as new spots showed up on the back of my lower leg.
Mid Sept. - I went to clinic and the doctor gave me a ten-day supply of Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim. ($100) The sores cleared up and no new sores appeared until--
Nov.10th Duncan, OK. New sores with a different appearance appear on back of lower leg. These sores start as little red bumps and become red and scabby with a clear discharge.
Nov.28th 2007- These new sores have moved to the front of my lower leg and the old Zit type sores have reappeared
I returned to the clinic and the doctor re prescribed The same prescription ($140) but this time it had no effect. I have tried a number of things to dry out the sores to no avail they only got worse. Then I tried rubbing Vix vapor rub on the sores and saw improvement overnight. I rubbed Vix? vapor rub on it twice a day morning and night.Then I draped a piece of sheet around it which I pinned to my shorts and tucked into my sock to keep the Vix off other stuff. The sores cleared up and were gone in about a week or so.
Dec.8 2008 about every 3 to 4 months a rash starts to reappeared and I just applied a little more vapor rub on it and it goes away again. This vapor rub need not be of the "Vix" name brand Walmart --equate-- works just as good.
See also under mustard.
Bread and Milk
Posted by Shira C.l (Quitman, Mississippi) on 07/09/2008
★★★★★
Boil Sores: Any Yeast Bread and Milk
To save paying a doctor and pain of have a boil lanced, use any type bread made with yeast, dip in milk and bandage over boil that has come to a head. Within 4 to 5 hours it will have drained completely. My grandmother used this cure on me and I have used it on one of my daughters. IT WORKS!
Bread and Milk
Posted by Natrum (Flemington, New Jersey /usa) on 01/06/2012
My mother told me about the bread and milk poultice many years ago. (she is 84 now) I had great success removing inflammation of an infected cut on my hand, after wearing the poultice overnight.
Dietary Recommendations
Posted by Keisha (Atlanta, GA) on 06/26/2008
★★★★★
I cured my boils by avoiding all foods with high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup! That was practically my whole condiment section of my refrigerator, and my cereals (read all labels it's practically in everything!) but you can replace them with organic products=) Also I stopped eating peanuts and chocolate together as one reader suggested! So that's practically all the good candy! However these food changes should keep you boil free! In the meantime Tumeric capsules work great to heal existing boils I bought them in Walmart and took 2 a day and applied tea tree oil on them all day before I discovered the cause of the boils . However since changing my eating I have been boil free! Good luck!
Honey
Posted by Annette (Lambertville, Michigan) on 06/16/2008
★★★★★
We have had remarkable healing with Manuka honey, It is effective for bites, boils, acid reflex ect It will draw the the infection right out. It is antibacterial and antiviral and will heal out wounds where nothing else will. Also effective on MRSA and other staph infections. Just put a light coat on a bandage and change every 24hrs. Also will dry up poison ivy. Plus it tastes great!
Boil Outbreak Theories
Posted by Lita209 (Sanford, Fl, Usa) on 04/06/2010
Patricia: Tune once in a while the program at Animal Planet "monsters inside me" or TLC's "Mystery Diagnosis", you'll be surprised how many parasites are out there. Doctors are aware of these little monsters. It takes them a while to diagnose but they (doctors) do. Parasites are not mumbo jumbo, they are a reality.
Boil Outbreak Theories
Posted by Gavin (Dallas, Tx) on 05/06/2012
Well Ted I see you are like many on here with web education on a subject that is life threatening and you are stating that boils are cause by these micro org exogenously, incorrect. This was the medical field explanation for yeears, but looking at the reality of inception to exod of skin surface, we know scientifically and easy to prove to ourselves that is is WBC, doing their kob, but dying nonetheless, and when there is suppression of immune layers, you get colony formation. So Either myself and all my team trainers, all my team dr's, all my modern litereature, and the great Dr. Mehmet Oz who covered this a couplle months ago and I have had both pleasures of great education in health and nutrition, kiniesiology, human performance, etc, to having 4 boil surgeries in a bout of MRSA with hundres of open wounds, one ofthe most aggressive MRSA cases my dr's ever saw. I went 100% healthy 6day wk workout to next day sick, day after ICU kidney failure, liver not well, 104... Checking out, then I used my little nutrition brain, said to person to the right, go get me about 6 liters of Alkaline 9. 5 water. I'm writing you because of my knowledge of that SIMPLEST of fact. Alkaline body can fight and will stop raveging infection. Antibiotics are acidic themselves, MRSA will cause blood acid levels to skyrocket. Seem like a good longterm? Anyway, boil didn't crawl in you, you caused it, just like I did. This is nature bro, not fair. You are not, nor am I, smarter than that strain of bacteria that has lasted millions of years throught thousand degree tep surace on Earh to the Ice Age. We evolved because of them. So...live.
Honey
Posted by CP (Huntington Beach, USA) on 04/22/2008
★★★★★
Manuka honey is an amazing remedy for M.R.S.A. wounds, as well as for diabetic skin ulcerations. It comes in several strengths, so contact customer service on websites to see which is best for you. It is a little pricey, but I think it is worth it. It's delicious and healthful when taken internally and is wonderful when applied externally to the face. I am taking one teaspoon of Manuka honey and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon each morning and evening. It has lowered my blood pressure from 156 to 125 in a very short period of time. It also improves my sleep! I love this website and it makes me happy to give back for all the help I've received. Good luck to all.
Dietary Recommendations
Posted by Joan (Gloucester, United States) on 04/12/2008
★★★★★
I have a problem with recurring boils also. Believe it or not, white vinegar, applied topically, helps them to go away. I read about it and tried it. I have noticed that my diet may affect getting boils. When I eat a clean diet, adding fruits and vegetables, not too much fat, a little olive oil OK. a LITTLE ... cut out the junk foods, high sugar treats, eat whole grains in moderation, flesh foods in a diminished capacity, and I am also drinking alkaline water, the ph issue is correct. It makes a world of difference. Since I have been trying to eat more high alkaline foods my boils, have disappeared without any topical treatment. Drink lots of water with ph drops to heal your body from the inside out. All fruits and veggies, some fish, especially fatty fish is good for you. Find online information about ph drops and you will open a world of information that will help you find out how to improve your alkaline levels. Most of the foods we enjoy cause us to overdo acids in our bodies causing acidosis, which causes disease. Fish need a proper ph to survive, we won't go into a pool before it is a proper ph because we know we could get sick. Our bodies also need to stay in a healthy ph range in order to stay health. Check it out. Be very blessed. Oh, and of course what you think and how you live causes health or disease. Exercise, of course, stimulates the blood, which is also necessary for health... and I also believe prayer helps everything! Joan
L-Lysine
Posted by Sally (Aloha, Oregon) on 03/04/2011
Juanita from Little Rock
Have you ever actually been tested for herpes, or is it your ego that has you convinced that it's only a boil? As someone who has suffered from both, it really sounds more like herpes than a boil. None of my boils have ever itched and the pre-sore tingle is the calling card of a herpes outbreak. L-Lysine is great for herpes, which is also why I think that you should listen to your doctor about the diagnosis.
Drawing Salve
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 392 posts
The big problem about black salve is it causes scars, while it removes the toxins. There a mixture of aloe vera oil and some tea tree helps with the healing or regeneration of skin cells.
The other issue is the body was not properly alkalized enough to stop the boils so the boils will recur even if all the other supplements were taken. Hence 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, in 1/2 glass of water, taken twice a day should prevent recurring boils. Also proper alkalization helps the healing.
Ted
Turpentine
Posted by Joe Worsley (Advance, North Carolina) on 08/30/2007
★★★★★
In the early stages of a boil or common pimple or even pimples on the face or other parts of the body try dabing them with Turpentine - YES Turpentine. It's a old time remedy for a lot of things. They used to sell small bottles of what was called Rectified Turpentine in drug stores but it's very difficult to find these days. Art supply stores sell it for a high price. Common painters Turpentine works great. At the start of one and several times diring the day dab some Turpenting on the spot. You will be suprised most of the time that it will stop development at that point. I once told a Dermatologist about it and he said that it was highly allergenic. And I told him that it probably worked better than anything he could prescribe and he agreed!
EC: You can still find turpentine in pharmacies and grocery stores throughout the in the USA. It's usually found right next to small bottles of iodine.
Laundry Soap and Sugar
Posted by Stephanie (Salt lake City, Utah) on 05/27/2008
The yellow laundry bar you refer to is called PHELS-NAPTHA and it has been around since the begining of time (well, maybe not quite that long). They carry it at a local grocery store here where I live, but I am sure you can probably get it online. Besides being good for boils, it will take just about every stain out of your clothes.
Deodorant
Posted by Alib (Swansea, Wales, Uk) on 12/04/2010
★★★★★
I now won't put anything on my body that I can't eat. I use coconut oil as a deodorant. It works very well and lasts all day. Some people use bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) too mixed to a paste and rubbed under the armpits. You can mix coconut oil and Baking Soda together and that will work too. Mind you, since following a very healthy low-carbohydrate diet the last three years with only occasional sugar or fruit, my body has been detoxing so well that I rarely if ever actually get any odour any more. How strong you pong very much depends on what you put in your mouth....
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Anonymous (Indianapolis, In) on 06/07/2010
★★★★★
For years I have used Hydrogen Peroxide for my boils. I soak a cotton balls or a gauze pad in HP and place it directly on the boil and then secure with tape and leave overnight. I repeat this for a couple nights and then the opening to the boil stretches open and a dry-cottage-cheese-type substance with a horrendous smell gets pushed out. This method seems to discolor the skin of the area red but seems to fade over the next year or so but the best part of this treatment seems to be that there is little or no core left over under the skin. When there is a core left over the boil seems to recur eventually. The ones I have used this treatment on have never recurred on me.
Iodine
Posted by Rebecca (Elk, Wa Usa) on 02/28/2012
★★★★★
My family became plagued with boils for many years while working in Romanian Hospitals. I really believe I have come up with a viable cure for boils. The concept of iodine or any other topical treatment is it kills the infection to some degree. If you place triple antibiotic ointment in your nose, where staph grows, and in your ears, you will cut the spreading of it. Scrub you skin with an rough washcloth and antibiotic body wash. Bleach your tub every time you use it so others and yourself will not be reinfected. Staph grows in your nose, ears and other warm wet places, but, mostly on your skin. It appears to be external, and that is where you have to fight it. It is highly contagious.
Triple anti biotic, like Neosporin, seems to be the cure, when placed in the nose in pea sized amounts. We beat it after a long battle very quickly after starting this treatment and this method has kept us free and helped others. It is proven to really be a answer to the boil problem.
Hot Water Compress
Posted by Michelle (Nixa, MO) on 01/29/2007
★★★★★
I had a boil last year on the left side of my left breast. I went to my personal doctor and she recommended that I use just a warm wash cloth and place it over the infected area 4-5 times a day. I did this and it finally came busted and she recommended to put your regular peroxide down in the small hole and keep covered with a bandage. This was the best way I've found to cure a boil.
Raisins
Posted by Manuel (Weslaco, TX) on 01/29/2007
★★★★★
take a small handful of raisins for a week then a handful once every week or two to stay boil free.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Djuana (Brooklyn, NY) on 01/28/2007
★★★★★
My aunt blended a small aloe vera leaf with water in a cup and I haven't had a boil since 1998. I had boils at least once a month. You can also add orange juice instead of water because it helps the bitter taste.
Calamine Lotion
Posted by Carolyn (Hollywood, FL) on 01/21/2007
★★★★★
Calahist, Walgreens calamine lotion, got rid of the red boils on my face but the ones in my armpit are still fighting. I think the reason is the moisture in that area. So, I am trying baking soda in my armpits along with the Calahist to see if I can keep my armpits dry enough for the Calahist lotion to work there. Yes, the baking soda does burn, but I have to get the area dry somehow.. living in South Florida humidity. Calahist worked a miracle on the red boils on my face.
Iodine
Posted by Carolyn (Hollywood, FL) on 12/20/2006
★★★★★
Hi, here is an update on my condition. All the original boils dried up and there were no lumps left under the skin. This was fine for 2 days and today there is an extremely TINY bump that formed near the original infection area. I think it is so small because of the turmeric in my system. But I doused it anyway with iodine and gave a fresh douse to the whole area that had been infected. I also keep a plastic bucket in the tub and fill it with water and a few drops of iodine. I reach into the bucket and swish around, this will clean under the nails, and rub the iodine water up my arms. Also I soak my clothes overnight in an iodine water solution as described. Before going out today, I am going to bathe with the solution and when I get home, bathe with it and change into new clothes. Of course making a new solution each time. I want to deeply thank the people who run and post in this forum because without your information, I would have had a disaster on my face. I am teaching others as fast as possible in my area. A friend who lives with me owns a large daycare. She is taking all this information very seriously. She has not seen any boils or infected sores on the children yet, but she is prepared now, thanks to Ted and all of you in this forum. God bless you and thank you.
Salt Pork
Posted by Kelli (Greenville, SC) on 12/05/2006
★★★★★
Salt Pork will cure a Pilonidal Cyst (really bad boil). Place small piece of salt pork directly on boil, it will sting, however it will "dry" up the boil in a matter of days.
Honey
Posted by Jen (Bedford, NH) on 11/13/2006
★★★★★
After several months dealing with a painful abscess on my bottom, I was desperate. I'd had it opened and drained by a surgeon, and had to have it packed every day for weeks. I took antibiotics, which gave me a massive allergic reaction. It was not healing. Finally the opening the surgeon had made became too small to insert the packing gauze, and I just set a gauze square on the outside. It flared up again almost immediately. While looking for any alternative to "modern" medicine, I first tried a sliced red beet. It did seem to draw out some pus, but it was still not healing. Then, I read a large study that had been posted on the internet dealing with the curative effects of honey vs. standard medical therapies. The results were so dramatic, I had to try it. within five days, the abscess has fully drained! No more pus is coming out, it has NOT swollen up again, and doesn't hurt anymore. I used organic honey on a gauze square, and will continue to do so until it is fully closed and healed. I am also going to start trying it internally for acid reflux (just diagnosed), as I cannot take the prescribed pills (excruciating abdominal/colon spasms!). Thanks for a wonderful website!
Salt
Posted by Carla (Greenville, Nc) on 10/26/2009
★★★★★
I feel like you saved my life! I had tried everything to treat the abscess in my pubic area, and as soon as I read your post I tried the salt, and I still can't believe how it worked. THANK YOU and your family.
