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.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Gavin (Northland, New Zealand) on 10/05/2013
★★★★★
I've been having a problem with boils this last year, they have lasted for months before they come to a head and finally drain. I had one nasty one on the right side of the groin, which finally went away, then last week I could feel one starting up on the left in the same place. From the moment I noticed the swelling I thought I'd try Extra Virgin coconut oil. So I kept it smothered, on the forth day it at the appearance of a pimple which I just popped. Nothing like the tedious month long problems with the other three. I'm sure this is the way to go, as the coconut oil must get into the core of the boil and aid the healing. I would like some feed back to acertain if this is a really valid method of dealing with the problem.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Ace (Vancouver, Bc, Canada) on 06/27/2013
★★★★★
Epsom salts have proved to be very useful for me in healing boils/follicle infections:
Can do while you shower:
1. Get a handfull of epsom salts - and dissolve in a bit of water so that it gets wet (but not so much water so that it doesn't dissolve into being too thin/watery either).... and scrub it into effected areas - and scrub really good.
2. Keep it on for at least 5 minutes without washing it, and then you can wash it off after 5 minutes.
It expedites the healing process of boils/severe acne - has worked wonders for me!!
You can buy epsom salts from a local pharmacy, ex- shoppers drug mart
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Angsu (Lima, Peru) on 02/02/2013
★★★★★
After suffering from boils for about 8 months, and trying a huge number of combinations... My conclusion as follows:
Staph is very adept at mutating to survive. Therefore one remedy you use, may prove useless in several months time. Changing body chemistry and hitting it where it cannot defend itself is the only way to destroy it completely. Therefore PH and Magensium really works (as Ted advises).
Interior:
- Lemon juice / Bicarb twice daily
- Vitamin C as Magnesium Ascorbate (not Sodium Ascorbate) once daily 1000 - 2000mg is enough.
Exterior (on the boils themselves):
- Magnesium (i used as Mag chloride) powder, mixed with a little water (stings), on a cotton wool pad, taped to the boil.
Also, to dry them out:
- Bicarbonate of soda, mixed with Sange de Grado (Dragons blood) pure.
For overnight, to reduce inflammation and draw out pus:
- Coconut oil, mixed with fresh or powdered turmeric (as a paste), and fresh liquidised cilantro, coriander (to activate it) and some black pepper.
MMS in solution mixed with DMSO does get rid of folliculitis in about 24 hours, but the issue is maintaining a body where the bacteria cannot grow. Therefore lots of water, lots of alkalysing and magnesium internally and externally. For external applications use tape to affix a cotton wool pad with the remedy, for daily and overnight applications. Overnight has great results!!!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Catherine (Auckland) on 07/01/2013
★★★★★
I have been struggling with a staph outbreak for years and years the only thing that cured my outbreaks (usually once a year) was going on rifampicin. I really didn't want to continue taking antibiotics and wanted to see if I could cure myself naturally. So far nothing worked for me well enough to rid me from the infection but I could have cried with relief at the success from magnesium! Magnesium, vitamin c as mag ascorbate and lots of alkalising. Thank you thank you thank you! You all must try it. I will now use milk of magnesia as a deodorant too best natural deo I've found!
Detox
Posted by Jacob (Upper Marlboro, Md) on 01/24/2013
★★★★★
I have experienced boils for years and I realized for me... The reason I get boils is because of the toxicity levels in my blood, due to smoking and/or drinking. Tumeric is the best solution for boils but it doesn't cure it, if your immune system is unique, reducing those levels can reduce outbreaks significantly. I haven't had a boil or any signs of one since I started reducing toxins within myself.
Eliminate Nightshade Vegetables
Posted by Mississippi (Hernando, Mississippi) on 01/18/2013
★★★★★
My husband had boils for over a year-along with very severe psoriasis-we treated the boils with all of the remedies we read on this site with some relief-some of the remedies would help the boils open up and drain but he kept getting boils and some were very large and painful. While treating his psoriasis-we found a book by John Pegano called Healing Psoriasis-one of Pegano's recommendations was to stop eating nightshade vegetables-my husband stopped the nightshades hoping to help his psoriasis-which it did-but an added bonus-the boils healed completely-and right away-and he has not had any since stopping these vegetables. Also, his psoriasis dried up besides two patches on the insides of both legs near his ankles and we believe with a little more time on his new diet that he will be psoriasis free-he is boil free for over 6 months now. Nightshades include-potatoes-tomatoes-spicey peppers-tobacco.
Drawing Salve
Posted by Lisainphilly (Philadelphia) on 02/17/2015
Correction. The soap is called "Fels-Naptha, " not felsnappa!
Antibacterial Soap, Hot Water, Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Posted by Laura (Rsm, Ca) on 08/30/2012
Hi, I used to get boils all the time:( under my arms and on my leg where the leg and but check meet. I'm sure it all started with shaving and sweating. I excersised every day and then I would do chores around the house before showering. Not a good idea because the bacteria would sit on my skin for hours. It is IMPERATVE to use antibacterial soap in the shower everyday!!!!!!! It's spring water the blue body wash and it doesn't dry my skin:) also NEVER squeeze a boil , it forces some of the bacteria back in! As soon as you notice a boil use HOT compresses as many times a day as you can! Use clean white washcloths and run under really hot water and apply till it gets warm then use different edge of washcloth and repeat. Keep going....... Then apply triple antibiotic ointment. Repeat as many times a day as possible! Never reuse the same washcloth or towels. Till washed(preferably in bleach! ) Remember to just let the boil drain. Resist the urge to squeeze. It's not like a pimple. I
The bacteria needs to drain. Try to shower as soon as possible after excersising or sweating and use antibacterial soap:)As soon as I made these changes I stopped getting boils!!! :) good luck Also if you get boils under your armpits, make sure until they are all gone, always wear a fresh clean shirt everyday. Change your razor frequently too. Shave around boils , never on, then get fresh razor.
Mint Toothpaste
Posted by Dave,hisaki Are Best Friends (L.a., California) on 05/10/2012
★★★★★
Amazingly, just three tubes of Toothpaste that has a Mint in it- spread all over the body (even on your head scalp ) gets in DEEP into your pores to kill that bacteria. A Boil (or furuncle) is a deep infective folliculitis (infection of the hair follicle). Spread it all over the body like a soap & wait till you feel the little bit of burning sensations & bit of sting feeling by the mint ('till you can hold). Then Rinse. If you can't hold rinse it immediately & do that for Three-five consecutive days. Your fungus infected skin sheds & will start to look softer & prevent Boil from reoccuring. Good luck.
Shark Oil
Posted by Robert Crawford (Honolulu, Hi) on 03/11/2012
★★★★★
Take a hot shower. Scrape the whitehead off, squeeze it (hurts I know), put a bandaid on it for a few minutes (or other absorbant material) and apply Shark oil. It dries the skin but also the soar(s). You will see a difference in 2-4 hours. Apply cider vinegar a few times a day. Shark oil before bed. Dont stop outbreaks but sure gets rid of the boils.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Wmj (Vancouver Island, Canada) on 01/06/2012
★★★★★
I have been using baking soda and probiotics made into a paste, sometimes adding natural raw sea salt. I had been using water, but now I'm trying it with Apple Cider Vinegar. This is on a case of MRSA I've been struggling with for months and heavy antibiotic only made it worse. The natural remedy seems to be working, unfortunately I got two new boils recently in another area. I find that washing with antibacterial wash only spreads it. Hopefully this will clear up soon, I'll keep the site posted.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by It's Rough (Sault Ste Marie, On) on 12/08/2011
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I started using the ACV in September, and found it's only worked (and has done so fast) when I have applied it on a cotton ball and held it there tight with a bandaid (waterproof ones are bad, as they leave the glue on you for days after and are harder to get off). So for the first two months, I'd basically just swab them and it didn't work very well. Over November they had all but disappeared, with just a few new ones showing up on my inner thighs (problem area was the scrotum at first). But one thing, after doing this for awhile the non-affected skin has been, well, pickled it seems. It is brown around the area and looks unappealing. Has anyone encountered this and know of a cream or something to return the skin to normal?
One more note: green tea. It heals your skin up nice and fast after; should have been downing 3 cups a day when I started this business. (But it's not really doing much for the darker spots of skin mentioned above).
Good luck
Gentian Violet
Posted by Elle (Cc, Florida) on 12/06/2011
★★★★★
To treat boils (staph infections) as soon as you figure out that it is going to develop, I clean the spot with hydrogen peroxide and soften up the white center core until you can remove it. Then cover area with Gentian Violet. Repeat application of a couple times a day. Don't worry about the color. Later on when the spot isn't sore to the touch, you can remove the color with a cotton pad and alcohol. It does not leave a permanant color like some people say on this website. It will stain your clothes so cover with a bandaid.
I found Gentian Violet at local Walgreen drug store for $2.99 The pharmacist couldn't find it when I asked for it, he thought I was joking. I found it in a section that carries over the counter medicines from Mexico since I live in an area with lots of Latinos they carry these products. Hydrogen Peroxide and gentian violet work to kill Staph. Also take copper dietary supplements, I take 2 mg every other day. We don't get enough dietary copper from depleated soil used to grow vegtables. And the metal copper kills MRSA on contact. Newer hospitals are outfitting with copper sinks and faucets instead of stainless steel. Remember to disinfect doorknobs, sinks, etc with diluted beach solutions. Be careful to not inhale airborne bacteria with MRSA when you clean a boil drainage area. Clean wound treatment areas with diluted bleach using disposible paper towels. Do not reuse cleaning rags.
Homeopathics
Posted by Oscar (Syracuse, New York) on 09/02/2011
My advice is to take those antibiotics and hope they work. Some strains of staph infections are very dangerous.
The advent of antibiotics is one of the big success stories of modern medicine. They really do work in most cases when taken as directed....Oscar
Drawing Salve
Posted by Susan (Ct, Usa) on 08/22/2015
Dear Marie,
I am so sorry you are going through this. If I were you, I would immediately begin taking a teaspoon of turmeric powder in water twice a day. Boils in the groin area and armpits are usually called hidradenitis suppurativa, so please look up that condition for more tips. Certain foods can trigger HS boils. Hope this helps! Let us know how you are doing.
Boil Treatment Warnings
Posted by Maria (Gippsland, Australia) on 01/09/2011
Thanks for the nutmeg tip re pimples.
In Western medicine Syphilis is treated with Penicillin (usually via injection) unless there is an allergy to it then another antibiotic may be tried instead. Syphilis is caused by bacteria which is why penicillin works. Turmeric has also been proven in studies to be effective against bacteria's. In Ayurvedic medicine turmeric is used to treat syphilis, Chinese medicine has also historically used turmeric to treat syphilis. So it is not accurate to say syphilis is only treatable by antibiotics. I am in no way suggesting that you should treat syphilis at home, but there are alternatives especially for those who are allergic to antibiotics.
My husband was started on antibiotics as a teenager for acne and boils, yes he did get less boils and less acne but it never fixed the cause and he still got them. After some years and some side effects (and many $$$$) he stopped taking them and the boils ceased. As long-term or repeated use of Bactrim may cause a second infection, this is a documented side effect, plus other side effects, I wouldn't use it.
In Australia I know of no free antibiotics. One prescription (and we all know that for these conditions you need more than one) of antibiotics cost about $16 each. As we have not had them for years this info is from a friend who had them a couple of years ago. Turmeric is about $6 for 250grams, which will last a long time especially as you are taking only 1/2 - 1 teaspoon a day.
Turmeric has been proven so effective for many things that I believe a synthetic derivative has been created and is being studied for its effect on strokes.
Turmeric, Honey Paste
Posted by Smiles808 (Jamestown, Nc) on 11/03/2010
★★★★★
I had a quick-growing boil, so I searched this site for how to get rid of it. I tried drinking turmeric, but it was pretty difficult (although I will say that mixing it with chocolate milk wasn't so bad). But I saw that you could make a paste with honey and turmeric (I used equal parts) and rub it directly on the boil. I did this, and it immediately started shrinking. I highly recommend this treatment!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Vivian (Cedar Rapids, Ia) on 08/20/2010
I have never heard of hidradenitis before, but after looking it up it seems fitting.
Turmeric and Antibacterial or Hydrocortisone Cream
Posted by Momof2 (Leesburg, Va) on 08/17/2010
★★★★★
I had a painful boil where my leg meets my tush for over a week and it wasn't improving with Neosporin & bandaid and warm compresses, etc. It seemed to be getting worse with the current treatment.. It was was hard, red, and very very sore when I sought alternative treatments. I read that Turmeric can be helpful with boils and was skeptical, but willing to try anything that might ease the pain. I picked up Turmeric tablets (500 mg) and took 2 immediately. The next morning the boil was softer and not as red. The next day, I took two tablets in the morning and two in the evening. Today when I woke up, there was no pain and no redness. I still applied nesporin and a band aid (just as a precaution). I'm pretty sure the infection is gone and that the skin is just healing at this point. I can now sit in comfort.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Lena (Hawaii) on 10/26/2017
How much were you feeding your toddler? My 2 year old has staph impetigo and I'm desperate.
Garlic
Posted by Diane (Mountain View, Ca) on 02/01/2010
★★★★★
I broke out with 6 Staph infections on 1/24/10. These are not my first and I have tried many homeopathic treatments, but always ended up on antibiotics. Not willing to give up, I tried a new regimine. I took raw garlic 3x's a day along with colloidal silver, tumeric, and apple cider vinegar in my water. I also gave up coffee, white sugar and white flour. By the following Sunday all the infections had drained, the corks where out and and I could sit down again. I believe it was the raw garlic that helped fight the infection without antibiotics. I will continue taking raw garlic everyday to avoid further outbreaks. I have been fighting MRSA for a year and a half.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jen (Mission, Ks) on 01/11/2010
★★★★☆
I have had a boil for the past 8 days ... first time I have ever had one, and was completely freaking out! It just appeared one day, and progressively hurt worse each day. The second day, I began drinking a half glass of warm water with turmeric powder mixed in it, tasted gross but I just plugged my nose and chased it with a glass of cold water. I did this 3 times a day, also took acidophillus pills 3 times a day. The swelling went down, within a few hours. I took two hot showers each day, and thought that the boil was ready to drain several times but after trying realized it was not. I began to mix the turmeric with water and put the paste on the actual boil, which helped a lot! It finally began to drain. I also got manuka tea tree honey which I applied, and it drained it completely. I have been taking echinasea drops in water as well to boost my immune system. I do not want more of these! The boil is not totally healed, but no longer hurts, and has drained pretty much completely. I will continue to take the herbs internally, and put the honey on the boil directly since bacteria cannot live in the honey. Hope this may help!
