Table of Contents
Cure Boils, Staph Infections and MRSA
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ADDITIONAL PAGES OF INTEREST:
MRSA and STAPH Remedies
BACK STORY:
We never would have created these 8 pages devoted to MRSA and boils had it not been for the weird winter of '06 in Los Angeles. Within a matter of 2 weeks in January of 2006, 50% of everyone we knew was breaking out in a terrible series of boils: on the face, arms, legs, back, neck, etc. etc. We're talking about some very healthy, very active people! We too got boils on our face for the first time. After talking with friends, we decided something really odd was going on. So then we started talking to health professionals, from doctors to facialists to acupuncturists, all of whom likewise reported a surge in boils during this same period of time. Once we heard that, we immediately set up this page on Earth Clinic.
One theory why that particular boil spike happened in '06 has led us down our current path of blaming environmental toxicity and rain. It was a holistic doctor, a friend of ours, that theorized the first big rain of the season brought down a lot of toxins from the air, which everyone either touched (plants, trees, pet's fur, etc.) or inhaled. This same doctor recommended the natural cure you will read below, which has been a life saver (literally) for many folks.
We posted a 21 question MRSA survey on 5/19/2007. Over the next 12 months, almost 5,000 people completed the questionnaire! The survey is no longer live, but you can view our compiled survey results here: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/MRSA_survey_results.html.
MOST POPULAR BOIL REMEDY:
| TURMERIC | 221+ - BEST! |
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
POPULAR REMEDIES:
| IODINE | 6 YEAS |
| BAKING SODA | 6 YEAS |
| MULTIPLE REMEDIES TRIED | 6 YEAS |
| GARLIC | 6 YEAS |
BUYING TURMERIC CAPSULES - WARNING!
07/21/2008: If you decide to buy turmeric capsules, please read all the ingredients on the packaging! We recently bought a bottle Turmeric Curcumin at the chain GNC for $21.99 (gulp!) because so many of our readers mentioned buying capsules instead of powder in the spice section of a grocery store for $3-$4. We got the bottle home and inspected it more. We were quite dismayed to see Dicalcium Phosphate and Maltodextrin listed as "Other Ingredients". Reported side effects of Malodextrin are bloating and headaches. The caveats and side effects of Dicalcium Phosphate are reported here: http://www.superglisodin.com/dcp.html.
Wikipedia's official opinion is the same:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_hydrogen_phosphate
"Our position appears to be contrary to the majority of manufacturers and distributors of nutritional products. our decision is based on research and years of experience watching results of dietary supplement intake on hair mineral analysis reports. The Origin of DCP Mined from deposits within the earth's crust, calcium phosphate is known by many synonyms such as "lime," "hardware lime," "calcium lime" or "dolomite." Mixed samples of the substance may have a high percentage of impurities imbedded in them which may be harmful."
03/23/2009: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: ""Check out this link. there are tainted turmeric supplements killing people in scandanavia. http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/Tainted-turmeric-supplements-linked-to-Scandinavian-deaths/"
EC: Thanks so much, Dianna! Another good reason why we prefer the powder you find at an Indian grocery store for $3.00!
Here's the article:
Tainted turmeric supplements linked to Scandinavian deaths
By Shane Starling, 23-Mar-2009
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/Tainted-turmeric-supplements-linked-to-Scandinavian-deaths/The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned the UK public to avoid a brand of turmeric food supplements containing a drug called nimesulide after it was linked to two deaths and several liver damage cases in Scandinavia.
The product in question, branded as Fortodol or Leppin Miradin, drew the attention of medical agencies after 11 liver-related adverse event reports in Sweden and a further five in Norway, including the deaths.
Nimesulide is not authorised as a medicine in the UK.
In response, the FSA said in a statement on Friday: "There have been no reports of liver failure or illness linked with these products in the UK. As a precautionary measure, however, these products have been voluntarily withdrawn from sale by the two main importers and recall notices will be placed in the shops selling these supplements."
Fortodol and Miradin are usually sold in the UK via the internet as food supplements, often accompanied by unsubstantiated claims to relieve arthritis, muscle pains and headaches.
The products are made by a Californian company called Donsbach, which typically exports the products to Sweden before they are shipped throughout Europe. [Bold our emphasis]
One of the Swedish cases involved a fatal liver failure which is under investigation by the Swedish Medical Products Agency. The Norwegian Medical Products Agency is conducting investigations of its own.
The FSA warning has been backed by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which, as its name suggests, governs medicines in the UK.
Nimesulide is an anti-inflammatory drug known to cause liver problems.
"Consumption of products that may contain undeclared and uncontrolled amounts of nimesulide represents a significant risk," the MHRA said.
A similar scare in Hungary was given the all-clear by the regulator there after investigations revealed a lack of nimesulide at hazardous levels."
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MISDIAGNOSIS ALERT!
From the feedback we have been receiving at Earth Clinic, it seems that many people (including doctors) are misdiagnosing their boils/staph infections/MRSA for spider bites, so please be very careful! If you don't remember being bitten by a spider (a rare occurrence), it's probably a boil or possibly a staph infection.
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#1 REMEDY: TURMERIC
Without a doubt, the spice turmeric is the very best remedy to take when you have boils, staph infections, or MRSA. Unfortunately, while turmeric will cure an outbreak of boils, it will NOT cure MRSA. A daily dose of turmeric will only prevent future MRSA outbreaks if you also follow a strict alkaline diet by monitoring your pH.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Take internally, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in half a glass of warm water 3x a day. Continue for several days or more if you have recurring MRSA boils. Turmeric, a traditional Ayurvedic spice of India, is anti-inflammatory and a blood purifier. You will see healing begin within a matter of hours. You do NOT have to touch the boil whatsoever or apply anything topically.
You can buy an enormous bag of turmeric at any Indian grocery store for a few dollars. The spice section of every grocery store will also carry a bottle of turmeric: $4 - $6 a bottle. A good health food store will sell turmeric capsules. The capsules are far more expensive. Is it worth the extra $? Nah, we think the cheap stuff is just fine!
You can also put an antibacterial ointment like Neosporin on the boil to help heal it quickly. If you catch it early enough with turmeric and Neosporin, the boil will not break the skin.
Please, Please, PLEASE report back after you try this remedy for a few days!
Note #1: It is best to take turmeric internally at the earliest sign of a boil (i.e., before it breaks the skin). If you do, the boil will literally disappear overnight.Note #2: The best way to decide whether an impending blemish is a pimple or a boil is to hold a hydrogen peroxide soaked cotton ball to the blemish. If it is acne, it will turn white at the top and start to heal within about 15 minutes. If it is a boil, the peroxide won't do a thing... in fact the boil will keep growing, so take turmeric quickly!
Note #3: Turmeric is one of the best remedies for diarrhea, so be careful, it can cause constipation. Try taking acidophilus (live yogurt or liquid) to keep things balanced in your intestinal tract.
Note #4: Be prepared for your sweat to smell spicy for the first day or two.
Note #5: Turmeric seems to cause intense dehydration, especially at night , so make sure to follow your Water and Turmeric mixture with several glasses of plain water.
*** READ THE TURMERIC TESTIMONIALS! ***
Click here to read hundreds of testimonials about Turmeric curing Boils.
MRSA and Staph Turmeric Feedback is here.
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View the Compiled Survey Results from 4,979 participants. This document was compiled on 6/3/2008.
View the text comments from our survey
These are the thousands of comments that people entered into the comments boxes on the survey. Only a few of them are included in the compiled survey results document above. Unfortunately, it takes more than 10 minutes (with DSL) for the Text Comments to load because of so much data compiling at once.
All feedback prior to 5/19/2007 is located on this page. These results were not compiled into our survey statistics.
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1 WARNING!
[WARNING!] 11/11/2009: Kelly from Cincinnati, Ohio writes: "I would like to warn everyone about treating boils. Prior to knowing about earthclinic I had a boil on my leg that grew to the size of a grapefruit (inner thigh). I'm not a doctor, this just my personal experience. I shudder when I read someone advising others to apply heat to a boil to make it come to a head. That's what I did and I almost died. boils for whatever reason one has one, are full of infection. applying heat pulls blood to the surface and increases the risk of spreading the infection already in the boil. I was treating myself, like many others w/o insurance. I did not have the knowledge about turmeric and other home remedies then. better to use the home remedies, have patience, and if it does not clear up get to a hospital. I hate being in debt, but I think I'd hate being dead over a boil worse. If you have a store near by that sells indian groceries buy turmeric in bulk--inexpensive. Then either get empty capsules from a healthfood store and make your own (empty caps also not expensive), or to get the turmeric into you, make golden milk and drink it:
1-2 tablespoons turmeric
2 cups milk (lactose intolerant- use rice milk)
1 tablespoon honey ( I prefer molasses blackstrap, full of b-vitamins and iron) to personal taste
heat milk to warm, not boil, and add turmeric and honey. when drinking stir cup before sip as turmeric settles to bottom and you want to get it all down w/ the liquid.
Turmeric is the key ingredient in mustard, wear old clothes or handle carefully it stains. c/o topical apps here at Earth Clinic. I wish I had known about this site, I might have been able to save myself from having emergency surgery and 2 months on my back in a nusing home on a wound pump (pumping out infection). I'm only 49 years old!"
EC: Thank you Kelly, great advice!
11/11/2009: Dj from Pdx, Or replies: "Kelly,
That is really good advice from a really bad experience. I am in awe that you were able to stand the pain from a boil that long as it progressed to such a large size.
I am one of those people who has used the heat and pop method on boils.
You brought up a really good point that should be reiterated and that is if your boil is large - I would say bigger than a chick pea - a person really should consider going to a doctor to get it lanced. Once a boil hits almond size it is probably too far gone and as you pointed out getting very close to a dangerous situation."
11/18/2009: Vadagirl from Denver, Colorado replies: "Wish I'd checked this page 4 days ago.... I squeezed and it did not help! I remembered using heat and that was painful, but it did bring it to a head. Also used a bandaid w/ drops of Tea Tree Oil. Will try these other suggestions in the future. Glad I found this site! Could have saved myself a lot of pain!"
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2 YEA
[YEA] 09/04/2006: Christy from Chicago, IL writes: "I am cured! Acidophilus!! It worked in only a day or so. I have been taking garlic supplements, eating raw veggies, and drinking organic juices...I felt healthier, but was still getting small boils - until my friend turned me on to Acidophilus. It is a natural supplement of probiotic bacteria ... basically bacteria that eat bad bacteria. I bought it at Whole Foods. My boils are gone & no new ones have popped up!"
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[YEA] Carroll from Middletown, NJ writes: "If I feel a boil coming on, I take Acidophilus, one a day. The boil never fully comes out. I take it for a couple of days, or a week if I actually have one and it goes completely away. Acidophilus works wonders for boosting the immune system."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 12/19/2008: Judy from Beverly, MA writes: "i have tried many antibiotics for my boils the only one that has helped me is sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (sulfa) 800/160 tabs."
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3 YEA
[YEA] 01/02/2007: Ada from Carthage, NY writes: "acv and a glass of water 8oz . with a teaspoon of honey cures boils. i drink it 3 time a day and in 3 day they're gone --it does work."
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[YEA] 09/05/2006: KS from MA writes: "Drinking apple cider vinegar tonic ( 2 teaspoons with honey in 8 oz water or tea 2-3 times daily) has nearly eliminated my recurring cysts that dermatologists have been unable to cure in over a decade."
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[YEA] Anonymous writes: "I have a history of having problems with boils and bear the scars of them. They are quite painful and at times have had to have them lanced. A few people in my family told me about vinegar tea. One tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, one tablespoon honey mixed in a cup of hot water at least twice a day has dissolved more than one of my boils. Not only the vinegar tea but also: the recommended daily amount of water. Stay away from sodas and chocolate, as they seem to aggravate the infected area even more. If the boil does come to a head where it is going to open continue to drink the vinegar tea and the water. Use hot packs on the boil for 15-20 minutes three times a day. Doing this has more than once saved an unwanted visit to the doctor. What is also important is not to squeeze a boil. I hope this will help someone out there."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 06/12/2008: Elle from Austin, TX writes: "I find that taking an ASPIRIN at the first hint of a boil works for me. It must be aspirin and not tylenol or advil and such. Regarding diet, noticed outbreak after eating chocolate pudding (the cheap, unrefrigerated brand). Immediately took an aspirin before bed, awoke to less tenderness and less swelling. I took 1/2 tsp of Tumeric in three ounces of water as well. But, I get great relief from the aspirin. Blessings!"
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2 YEA
[YEA] 06/06/2008: Craig from Carrollton, Texas writes: "I had a cut on my arm that got infected and I was desperate because it was very painful and I didnt want to go to the doctor for an expensive bill. Someone advised me to wrap it in bacon and duct tape it overnight. I was desperate so I did. The next morning the infection was gone. The salt from the bacon is what kills it. I was amazed. ps dont eat the bacon."
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[YEA] 04/18/2006: Linda from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania writes: "A slice of bacon (pork) put directly on boil. Cured the boil on my rear end."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 01/25/2008: Sarah from Fort Worth, Texas writes: "Bacon and onion. Cut a slice of onion and seer in a hot skillet till almost' transparent, one side. Remove and set aside. Cut a square piece off of a slice of bacon and put in the still warm pan for only a few seconds on both sides. Take the middle rings out of the onion large enough for the boil you are trying to cover, put the bacon closet to your skin with the seared side of the onion behind the bacon piece, wrap with gauze and leave on for as long as you can (hours). Repeat several times till the boil starts to drain or the plug comes out. Works very well."
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6 YEA
[YEA] 12/06/2007: dawn from zachry, la writes: "I found that baking soda and vinegar made into a paste applied to a boil helps draw the infection out"
05/13/2008: Tim from Indianapolis, indiana replies: "do u apply it str8 to the head and add a guaze to it to help drain it?"
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[YEA] 11/26/2006: Laurie from New Zealand writes: "Baking soda cured a couple of boils before they broke on the skin. I have found that Hyper Cal lotion (hypericum calendula) applied to unbroken boils worked well, but experimented with baking soda. Was rather surprised to see that it worked just as well!! Baby boils are now just red spots."
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[YEA] 08/01/2006: Jennifer from Milwaukee, WI writes: "I have had boils on and off for a year or so, but this one was SO incredibly painful! I literally could not sit or walk without extreme pain for 3 days. I found your site when searching for a natural remedy, and the only thing I had on hand was the Baking Soda. I immediately tried it and felt a lessening of the pain within an hour or so. By the next morning the pain was almost nonexistent! I now have no noticeable pain. Thank you so much for providing such a valuable site!"
[YEA] 08/27/2008: Jake from Asheville, NC replies: "I also tried the boil baking soda method, by putting some BS on a rag, dripping some water on it, then placing it on the boil for an hour or two. It drew the infection out and it drained with very little effort. Thanks so much for this advice."
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[YEA] 06/02/2006: Gabi from Jacksonville, FL writes: "Baking soda combined with some essential oils like lavender and lemon as well as some vitamin E and hot compresses seemed to help bring it to a head, but at the time i had no insurance so i was trying anything. But now 7 months later i'm starting to get one again or its coming back. I saw my doctor this time and she just said to start the hot compresses again. so i'm doing that and i'm trying ichthammol."
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[YEA] Anonymous writes: "I learned this from a make-up artist when I suffered from acne. For boils and large pimples make a paste out of baking soda and water. Pack it on the infected spot and it works to draw the infection."
04/12/2009: Lea from TAS, Australia replies: "I am just wondering if the Baking soda is the same as the bi-carb soda in Australia? or is it the baking powder?"
EC: It's called bi-carb soda: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/baking_soda.html#BSBP
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BAKING SODA, LEMON AND VITAMIN E
[YEA] 09/02/2007: Julie from White Oak, NC writes: "Thank you Gabi from Jax, FL. I had a boil to come up on my buttock 4 days ago. Today is Sunday and I was ready to get come relief. It was Labor Day week-end and I could not wait three more days to go to the doctor. I did a home remedies for boils search and found this website. I first tried the oatmeal and salt remedy for two hours, but nothing happened. I decided that I was going to try a different remedy every two hours until I got one that worked. Next I tried the grated potatoes, but again nothing happened. I tried the baking soda, lemon and Vitamin E and within two hours, I was getting relief and the boil had opened up and started to drain. I also drink the two cups of hot water mixed with one tablespoon of vinegar and one tablespoon of honey. Thanks. This is what I will try from this day forward and will pass it along to others"
06/13/2008: stacy from joliet, il replies: "how do you apply the remedy?"
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BAKING SODA, PARSLEY, ITCHTHAMMOL
[YEA] 07/21/2006: Tanya from New Mexico writes: "Baking soda, parsley and ichalomol cures boils. i was in such pain and desperate tried all three mixed together and it is almost completely gone within 24 hours. all i did was make a paste of the three ingredients and poof."
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1 SIDE EFFECT
[SIDE EFFECTS] 01/04/2008: L writes: "Hi Ted- I've been reading on earth clinic about the boils and I took the survey. Here's the deal- about three weeks ago I took my board exam for nursing- i was really stressed and it rained the same day. About a week later I got 2 bumps on my forehead that took turns going up and down, but remained there. Then last week i got 3 more, 2 about an inch below my eyes on each side of my nose, one on my chin. I avoid sugar and anything white, I immediately started turmeric,mag and zinc. I went to my acupuncturist. She gave me herbs for my liver. The boils started growing and got soo painful and hideous. So i put the black drawing salve on them on the 31st. I kept them covered until last night. My head was pounding and i began to have flu-like symptoms-fever,bodyaches, extreme headache. I could feel it drawing up all the toxins. But now it looks like i have thes big craters on my face. Did it eat away alll of my skin. The skin doesnt feel raw, its covered with a brownish grayish crust. The instructions say to put rubbing alcohol on the spots till the crust comes out.. but then i got worried about scarring so i just applied some rosehip seed oil. but i notice the edges around the crater are a little pink so now im concerned with infection. should i cont with alcohol or tea tree or what? i am scared now. Thank you soo much Ted. sincerely L.""
Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "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"
04/06/2009: Rosy from Orlando, Fl replies: "Try H2O2 for your crusty spots. That is what I use on my face and it only leaves a red mark after wards, which will go away soon. If the H202 burns then there is still a slight infection, you may want to try one more application of the paste."
04/06/2009: Peggy from Independence, MO replies: "Can you tell me what happened when you used the bloodroot paste?. my sister is dealing with this also and has scarring and some lumps that won't go away."
04/07/2009: Joyce from Joelton, Tn replies: "Question for L who writes Ted about boils on face:
Hello L,
I have a question after reading your request for help. This "black drawing salve" you used, was it blood root black salve or was it ichthymol, a totally unrelated ointment? Blood root black salve is not usually indicated for boils."
09/14/2009: Vanessa from London, Uk replies: "The Distinction Between Black Salve and Black Drawing Salve:Before purchasing black drawing salve, it is important not to confuse it with another herbal product with a very similar name: black salve. Black salve contains a powerful herb called bloodroot (Sanguinaria candensis). Bloodroot can burn skin tags and tumors off the surface of the skin, and has only limited value in treating topical skin disorders.
If used improperly, black salve can burn healthy tissue along with the affected tissue.
Many websites make a common mistake and use the two names interchangeably. To be certain that you're buying the topical ointment form used to treat splinters, look for the active ingredient, ichthammol or ichthyol, in the ointment.
I found this info on herbs.lovetoknow.com"
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06/10/2008: Ginger from Brownstown, MI writes: "CLIMATE CHANGE...Did not get boils until I moved from New York to Maine (in my armpits)and then I moved from Michigan to Texas 25 years ago. When I arrived in Texas- I blew up like a balloon on my right eye and my breast. Once I became adjusted to the climate they weren't near as bad. One here and one there. They only come up in spring and fall for some reason. Now I am going through menopause and have a lot popping up. I use Desiten cream to keep them dry AS soon as I notice one and wash the area a lot to keep them at bay. But do NOT shave any areas that they are present. Also, the deodorant I use is natural salts found in health food stores. That helps immensely. Don't change soaps- Use Caress or Dove only. It's a ongoing challenge...I am going to try to Tumeric- Thank you for this website."
01/02/2009: Ted from Exmore, VA replies: "Boils are caused by a small (very small) parasitic microbe called Collembola ...You cannot see them without 10x magnification ... They enter the skin through the hair pores and cause boils ...
Prevention is simple ...
1) Cleanliness ... soap and water ...
2)Natural skin care creams containing sulfur ...
3) Turmeric and cayenne internally ... (sources of sulfur)
4) Cover the boil with something (Bandaid, tape or cream) so they do not reinfect the area ...
5) also antiseptic oils like tea tree and peppermint help to keep the area clean and repels those critters ...
Boils are very difficult to cure, because these bugs re-infest the area over and over again ... stop the bugs from returning and the boils will then be able to heal ... otherwise they can take months or more...
Ted"
02/05/2009: John from Anderson, SC USA replies: "Ted would Borax work to kill them?"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 09/30/2008: Samantha from Lebanon, PA writes: "I "grew" a horrible boil 2 days ago and was trying many different tricks to rid myself of the absess. I eventually broke down and went to the Dr because of a MRSA outbreak in my office. Fortunately, I don't have MRSA but I do have a very helpful tip from my doc.... When you bathe wash your face last or with a completely separate wash cloth. He stated that the bacteria in your nose causes outbreaks of skin absesses. Dry the same way, face last or separate. He said the amount of Bacteria in your nostrils is a main cause to many issues. Make sure you wash your hands before and after you use the restroom as well. I hope this helps anyone prevent painful boils."
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