Home remedies for boils

Find out how to care for a boil at home and what not to do. 


How to heal a boil at home 

Are boils treated with antibiotics?

Do boils need to be drained?



However, you’ll need to avoid squeezing or picking at the boil if you want it to resolve quickly. 

If you’re losing patience with a boil, there are some things you can do to help speed up the healing process. Try the tips below.

## How to heal a boil at home 

### 1. Apply a warm compress

Place a warm (not hot), moist face cloth on the affected area 3 to 4 times a day. The heat will help to widen the surrounding blood vessels, improve circulation and bring more white blood cells to the site of the infection to fight it. 

Heat can also soothe inflamed or irritated skin, and relieve any pain or swelling caused by the boil. 

For best results, hold the compress against your skin for at least 10 to 15 minutes at a time, and repeat this every day until the boil is gone.

![Washing hands with antibacterial soap](//images.ctfassets.net/iqo3fk8od6t9/1kZ0yPajzkrHwRolYjDuAZ/b161b0a41c71a91b1e6e5840cf60219b/washing-hands-with-antibacterial-soap.jpg)

### 2. Keep the surrounding skin clean

Most boils are caused by a bacterium called staphylococcus. You can prevent the infection from spreading and forming new boils by washing the skin around your boil using a mild antiseptic or antibacterial soap to make sure the area is clean.

You should also wash your hands with soap and hot water to prevent germs from spreading to the surrounding skin.

### 3. Take painkillers to manage any pain

If the boil is causing you pain or discomfort, it may help to take a painkiller every 6 to 8 hours if required. 

However, you should speak to a pharmacist or doctor for further guidance on whether to use painkillers, and how to get and use them.

### 4. Wear loose or baggy clothing if possible

Friction from clothing can irritate or even burst a boil, so avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes until the boil is healed. Instead, wear lightweight, breathable garments made from natural materials like cotton or linen. 

Change and clean your clothes every day, and use fresh towels and bedding (where possible).

![Elbow with large carbuncle](//images.ctfassets.net/iqo3fk8od6t9/bDTlRUyFyz5OHpOfjrQYi/4d90d61624d8bf2e1e3e94a7468d8994/elbow-with-large-carbuncle.jpg)


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## Are boils treated with antibiotics?

Boils can be treated with antibiotics, but a doctor is unlikely to prescribe an antibiotic unless you:

- have a boil on your face, which can cause complications
- develop a secondary infection like [cellulitis](/skin-infections/cellulitis)
- have a high temperature
- are in a lot of pain and discomfort 
- have a group of boils next to each other (a carbuncle)


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## Do boils need to be drained?

Large or persistent boils may need to be drained by a medical professional, but you should never try to squeeze or drain a boil yourself. 

Popping a boil at home may spread the infection or drive it deeper into your skin, which can lead to more serious medical conditions like [cellulitis](/skin-infections/cellulitis) or sepsis. 

If you think a boil needs to be popped, see a doctor or visit a pharmacist. 

And if you’re not sure whether to see a doctor, find out [when to worry about a boil](/boils/when-to-worry-about-a-boil). 

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References

Alec Bussey

Mike Martin

Healthily's medical team

Article information

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

Home remedies for boils - squeezing out a warm compress

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