Table of Contents
Cure Boils, Staph Infections and MRSA
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.
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"
03/03/2010: Cb from Shelter Island Heights, Ny replies: "L, what you describe sounds like something my mother had. It turned out to be a shingles outbreak on her face... it even took traditional doctors a while to diagnose since shingles usually appears on the torso."
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01/27/2010: Jaqueda P from Joliet, Illinois writes: "How do I know when the core is out of the boil? What does the core look like?"
01/29/2010: Blanche from New Iberia, La replies: "When all the pus is gone, there will still be a whitish lump in the middle. It is like a small piece of cottage cheese. If you're very careful about sterilizing, you can lift it out with the very tip of a needle."
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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?"
04/05/2010: Patricia from St. Louis, Missouri replies: "The only parasite you can see with a microscope is malaria. I don't like all the parasite talk on natural health websites - it makes doctors think natural cures are all mumbo jumbo."
04/06/2010: Lita209 from Sanford, Fl, Usa replies: "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."
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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."
01/06/2010: Morley from Flanders, Nj replies: "Are you sure you should wash your face last? i always try to do it first bc i thought last was like rubbing your genitals, feet and armpits all over your face."
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1 YEA
1 WARNING!
[YEA] 05/14/2009: Ellen from Pineville, Louisiana writes: "Boils/Staph" Most all of the treatments mentioned here are helpful, but the single most important thing I have found is lancing or pin pricking the boil AS SOON AS YOU NOTICE IT. Even if it doesn't appear to have any drainage in it, IT DOES. Clean the area with soap and water, let dry and quickly make about 3 quick needle pricks right on top of the thing, then take a dry washcloth and apply even pressure around the thing to get the junk out. You don't want to waste time in doing this step, because the tissue begins to swell right after the needle pricks and it will be more difficult to get it all out.
There is no good reason to wait until the boil has "come to a head". The sooner you put a stop to it the better."
[WARNING!] 06/06/2009: Mcneillmama3 from Asheboro, NC replies: "I would be cautious about picking or pricking any boil. Most instruments that you would use in your home are not sterile, no matter how much cleaning or heating you do to the instruments. Furthermore, sticking a pin in a boil will just drive the bacteria further down in to the hair follicle and cause a wide spread systemic infection that could be worse than the boil itself.
The best thing to do for a boil is to use topical heat, topical broad spectrum antibiotic ointments, the turmeric paste works well, and mixing Epsom Salts in warm water and soaking a gauze pad that you apply to the boil several times a day. Keep the boil covered with a band aid, and eventually it will resolve itself with minimal scarring. These pesky little things take about 10-14 days to run their course and completely heal.
I am a nurse and I caught the bacteria that causes boils probably in a nursing home that I worked in and I think I picked it up from the telephone at the nurses desk that never gets sanitized (also the most used piece of equipment) I break out on my face with them, so I wouldn't recommend picking or pricking a pimple or a boil
I was also reading a Western Civilization text book and it mentioned King Hezekiah of ancient Judah. So I incientally got my Bible out to verify the account in the history book, and as I was reading the Bible, there was an account of King Hezekiah having a painful boil, he was sick almost "unto death" and the priests applied a "fig" to the boil and the Bible says that Hezekiah was cured. So I am, today, looking up the fig/boil connection. Has anyone else heard anything regarding this natural remedy for boils?"
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2 SIDE EFFECTS
[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/10/2009: Danielle from Atlanta, GA writes: "Last week I noticed that I had a strange skin infection on my cheek. After researching my symptoms on Earth Clinic, I think I have had a reaction to almonds! They are a favorite snack, and I keep a jar in my car for busy days, when I don't have time for lunch. Instead of eating just a few, I ate a large handful and noticed my symptoms the next day. I started on Turmeric, a teaspoon in a glass of water. I took my first dose on Thursday night, and took a second dose Friday morning. By Friday evening, my skin had completely cleared up! I am thrilled and amazed by this simple, natural cure!"
09/19/2009: Brygivrob from Escondido, Ca replies: "i have read that the FDA required almonds to be pasteurized about a year ago, and one of the methods is to use a chemical that is an ingredient in jet fuel (yes, really); so i would do some internet research on almonds if u eat them a lot because maybe that chemical is giving you a reaction"
[SIDE EFFECTS] 06/01/2010: Kathryn from Mi replies: "i added raw almonds to my diet about 4-6 months ago. i eat them several times a week at least. i have been having boils for about 5 months or so. i never would have thought almonds would cause this! i ate some tonight for dinner in fact! i hope this works for me."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 07/09/2008: Shira C.l from Quitman, Mississippi writes: "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!"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 08/01/2008: Peter from Nelson, New Zealand writes: "My ten year old son over a period of about three months was suffering from boils around his rectum and after taking antibiotics which cured the problem for a week they returned. He returned to the doctor and was scheduled to have the boils lanced and kept like that for a couple of weeks to remove the staff infection. I asked a friend who had been a surgeons assistant during WWII if he had any answers. His reply was that during the war the soldiers suffered from boils and that the doctors of the day did not know whether it was due to hygiene or diet. I knew that it was not my son's hygiene and earlier that same friend had given me a breakfast recipe that he had found beneficial to his health through the years. I had to remove some of the ingredients to get my child to eat it but to my astonishment within the week his boils had disappeared never to reappear.
This worked for my son. I hope that it will work for you.
Recipe:
2 cups Rolled oats
2 cups museli
1 level desertspoon brewers yeast
2 level desertspoons wheat germ
3 cups of milk
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and leave overnight in the refrigerator. Serve the following morning.(Serves 3 to 4)
All ingredients were purchased from Binn Inn in Nelson, New Zealand as they appeared to have the best quality available.
I fed my child this everyday for a week and a couple of weeks after that then he lost interest in the breakfast. He hasn't had any boils since. You should expect results within the week."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 01/21/2007: Carolyn from Hollywood, FL writes: "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."
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06/25/2007: K.C. from Portland, Oregon writes: "I had a calcified bursa on my right shoulder that had become so painful that, after six months of physical therapy, it was no better and I was scheduled for cortisone shots. I did not want them because of the immuno-suppressant tendency of cortisone. One night I had the impression to try a castor oil pack on it, just out of the blue. So I did. I wrapped my shoulder and underarm (after washing it) and left the pack on all night. In the morning the problem was 95% better. I did it four more nights and have not had the problem since. About five years now."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 05/04/2007: Scott from Evanston, IL writes: "calendula homeopathic has seemed like a friendly topical for my persistent boils, which you might try while taking the turmeric."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 12/27/2006: Keith from Montgomery, AL writes: "I had read about this and it works. I had a boil in my groin area that was painful and hard. I applied some campho phenique to the bandage part of a large Band-Aid and slept with it applied to the boil all night. You might want to apply sterile gauze over this due to drainage. The next morning pus had began to flow freely. Gentle squeezes from the base of boil will cause more to be released. Continue this treatment until the boil gets small or is gone. I used Tylenol for the pain I was experiencing. Sometimes low iron deficiencies cause boils so I will begin eating a handful of raisins a day which is suppose to prevent them."
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CAMPHOPHENIQUE, DRAWING SALVE, HEAT, DEAD SEA SALTS
[YEA] 12/21/2006: Jennifer from Raleigh, NC writes: "The drawing salve was hard to find, but the pharmacist pointed me to it. Just put some on a gauze pad & tape it on the boil. It is pretty messy stuff, so don't wear anything light or use sheets that you love. Of course use new towels every time you wash, make sure you wash your hands after you change your dressings. Also dabbing some camphophenqiue was not only soothing but helped it drain as well. Hot compresses or a heating pad are most important. I also took a hot bath with Dead Sea Salts & Epsom salts (this last bout I had was pretty horrendous, hence all my remedies)."
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2 YEA
[YEA] 10/30/2006: Fredrina from Philadelphia, PA writes: "Castor oil on a cotton ball cured my boil."
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[YEA] 03/24/2006: Sandy from Vancouver writes: "A long time ago, I had a painful sore in the back crease of my thigh that I couldn't identify, and my grandmother said it was a boil from sitting on wet cement with bare skin. She told me to put some castor oil on a cotton ball and cover it, and leave it alone. I did, and it was gone in 2 days! I've since had one more, used the same remedy with the same result. I think lancing them simply opens you up to more infection but it might be necessary if it is black or looks like blood poisoning and you are really ill for no other reason. I truly hope this works for others."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 03/27/2007: Matt from Springfield, USA writes: "Hello, I have almost a cure for a Pilonidal cyst. The reason I say almost is it will come back in usually about 10 months to a year, and then you will need to repeat the steps again. I came across it from another person who has suffered from this health problem and has been through many surgeries with no help. I myself have been through one surgery in which the cyst came back a year later. The cure is to put cayenne pepper mixed with water in the sinus opening of the cyst for 3-4 days straight using an eye dropper with a narrow end. The solution should be 1 heaping teaspoon of pepper in a cup of water used over the 3-4 day period. This does sting quite a bit for the first minute or two after the pepper is injected but subsides afterwards. Note: you will probably need someone to do it for you to really get the solution in the sinus. I've read this works because the sting of the pepper brings a rush of white blood cells to the area, not sure if that is true or not, but it worked for me. Of course check with your doctor before doing anything. I'd also be interested if anyone else has found other ways to deal with this issue."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 05/22/2009: Kirsten from Santa Fe, NM writes: "My family has been using the homeopathic cell salt silica to stop boils in their tracks. It is #12 of Dr. Schuessler's tissue remedies and should be available at most natural grocers which sell homeopathics. It is indicated in abcesses,boils,and any other skin conditions with thick,yellow discharges. It also helps to deacidify the body. As with any homeopathic you should increase the frequency of the dosage to about every 15 minutes in an acute situation and take it less frequently in maintenance doses. There is no way to overdose on homeopathics and taking silica should not interfere with any remedy you are currently using. Silica usually comes in lactose tablet form and about 4 tablets under the tongue or in some water is the dosage. If this remedy works for you, you can keep it going forever by following these simple steps (by the way this works for all homeopathics and Bach flower remedies). Take 4 of the lactose tablets and put them into a new glass bottle with a dropper. Add any liquor or hard alcohol to the bottle, filling it 3/4 of the way to the top. Allow the tablets to dissolve for a few minutes. Succuss the bottle 100 times, by tapping the bottle on the palm of your hand. Since homeopathics are vibrationally based you have simply transferred the vibration to the liquid. This process can be repeated again when your bottle gets low. 4 to 6 drops can be taken as a dose."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 03/11/2009: Sudha from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India writes: "I get boils in the inner thigh and on my bum regularly, especially during my period. I discovered that by application of coconut oil, once every 1/2 hour or one hour, the boils subsided or broke and disappeared within two days. However, this seems to work only for boils below the navel. I have boils on my chest which don't respond to this. Hope this works for all of you."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 02/04/2010: Ian from Capistrano Beach, Ca writes: "I've been using a paste made from turmeric powder and coconut oil to deplete acne boils and the scars left from it. I used pure virgin coconut oil alone on the boils and they depleted in about 5 days. when I mix the paste and use that as a facial mask before sleep it only takes about three days to completely clear my face. I've been studying and working with theses to substances for 3 weeks and am already very impressed with the results on my self and 5 other willing subjects."
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COLLOIDAL GOLD, BENTONITE CLAY
[YEA] 03/16/2007: Alwyn from Laytonville, CA writes: "Hi, got here accidently, got fascinated. I had some boils which started out like a spider bite. I attacked it with hot water lavender poultice (very BRIEF, just to open the pores), and then a bentonite clay mix, combined with colloidal silver. This usually will take down any infection. However, it wasn't until I poured colloidal gold solution over the leg, inaddition to the bentonite, that it got cured. For open, supporating sores, etc, colloidal silver combined with zinc is quite effective. Also, to help cure the heavy metal toxicity which you said contributes, mix 1 tablespoonful high grade bentonite (or pascalite) clay in one glass of water. Drink this every other day for about eight weeks. This is an amazing remedy."
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4 YEA
[YEA] 06/11/2008: Susan from Carmichael, California writes: "I started having boil in November of 2007. I was going to the emergence room and having them lace them. Then in January of this year I was took I had MRSA and then a month later my 20 year old daughter found out she had it.She had a boil in the front between her legs and and on the sids of her finger nails. We both have trouble with bandaid. They leave marks on the skin, but not on the bottom. In March I went to a Health Food Store to buy something I read about and a clerk told me about his staph he had and what he used. I bought hight potent Colloidal Silver (500ppm) and MSM lotion. He told me to take a MSM lotion in my hand and a drop of Colloidal Silver, mix it together and rub it on my boil. It worked on my side boil, but not on my bottom because anything I put on my bottom will be saoked up and the boil gets bigger. I put a drop of the Colloidal silver on my finger and rub it in and it works. I only use it when the boil is small. I even take 3 drops by mouth 2-3 times a day all the time and my boils are geting smaller.
I was told by a doctor not to soak in a hot bath because you can reinfect the boil and that is true. I stoped going that and my boils don't get as big. I even found out by using a hot compress it does the same thing(boil gets bigger) Now I jut use Colloidal Silver, cover it and forget about it and it goes away faster."
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[YEA] 02/04/2008: GABI from TORONTO, CANADA writes: "Hi. I didn't try turmeric when I was in boils. I use Colloidal Silver Water. Apply a drop or two on top of boil (acne too!). After 1-2 hr it stops hurting, stops "growing". Up to 3 days it subsides to red spot. You can use small hair spry bottle (with very fine mist like spry). If you have acne or boils more then one and you expect more to show up spray it on your skin just once and let it dry. Nothing will break out! I suffered for almost 30 years from something what doctor called "diaper rush" (!). The pic of my "diaper rush" was always during summer months. After using once single spray of Colloidal Silver Water I am free of this skin condition. I will get 1 tiny pimple time to time but who hasn't have it during hot summer days?"
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[YEA] 03/16/2007: Roger from Rushford, MN writes: "colloidial silver cured my boils drink 5 to 6oz a day and rub it on topical."
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[YEA] 11/12/2006: Kortni from Sonora/Riverbank CA writes: "Biotic Silver cured my first boil but I wasn't careful and it spread as it drained. I wasn't aware of chemtrails and did not pay any attention at the time of my newly formed boil."
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COLLOIDAL SILVER, BLUE FLAG ROOT
[YEA] 07/30/2008: Christina from Cincinnati, Ohio writes: "I got my first boil several years ago, went to the doctor had it lanced and was put on antibiotics. I decided I didn't want to have to do that again. I have been getting boils on and off since then and have tried various remedies. I tried turmeric it worked great at first but has not done the trick for quite sometime. I did some research to find that Colloidal Silver helped with boils. Ever since then if I start to get a boil I spray with silver (do not rub it will only irritate the boil more). Also if I don't find the boil while it's still small I take Blue Flag Root. The owner of the health food store told me to try it and the silver because he used to get something similar. Blue Flag Root helps with the inflammation and pain of the boil. Together I think this combination has saved me several trips to the doctor."
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