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Glass Bottle Suction Technique for Boils

Deirdre Layne | Modified on Sep 25, 2025

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An old-fashioned home remedy reported by readers for drawing out the core of a boil using gentle heat and suction from a glass bottle.

⚕️ Important Medical Disclaimer

This article describes a user-submitted home remedy. Boils can lead to serious infections like cellulitis or sepsis. This technique carries risks of burns and scarring.

You MUST seek medical care if your boil is: on the face, neck, spine, or in the groin area; if you have a fever, severe pain, or red streaks; or if you have diabetes or a compromised immune system. When in doubt, always consult a doctor.

What Is the Glass Bottle Technique?

The glass bottle suction method is a folk remedy that uses a warm bottle to create a gentle vacuum over a boil. As the air inside the bottle cools, it contracts, creating a light suction on the skin. The goal is to help draw the pus and the central "core" of the boil to the surface, encouraging it to drain.

This method is often tried when a boil is "ready" (has formed a head) but has not yet opened on its own.

The Science Behind It: How It Works

The principle is simple thermodynamics. By heating the air inside a bottle and then sealing it against the skin, you create a closed system.

Negative Pressure: As the hot air inside cools, its molecules slow down and take up less space. This creates a partial vacuum, or negative pressure, which gently pulls on the skin and the boil beneath it.
Gentle Warmth: The residual heat from the glass can help soften the skin and loosen the thick pus inside the boil, potentially making it easier to draw out.

How to Perform the Technique Safely

What You'll Need

A clean, thick-walled glass bottle or jar (like a soda bottle or Mason jar)
A kettle or pot with very hot water (do not use boiling water to avoid steam burns)
Clean cloths or paper towels
Antiseptic wash, sterile non-stick gauze, and medical tape for aftercare

Phase 1: Preparation

Choose the Right Spot: This technique should NEVER be used on the face, neck, breasts, groin, or spine due to the high risk of serious infection and scarring. Only consider it for boils on less sensitive areas like a limb or the back.
Heat the Bottle: Carefully fill the glass bottle with very hot water. Let it stand for 1-2 minutes to allow the glass itself to warm up evenly.

Phase 2: Application

Empty and Dry: Pour the hot water out. Quickly pat the rim of the bottle dry with a cloth to prevent hot water from dripping onto the skin.
Place Over Boil: Immediately and carefully place the mouth of the bottle directly over the head of the boil, ensuring it forms a complete seal against the skin.
Hold and Observe: Hold the bottle gently in place. You should feel a mild suction as the air cools. It should not be painful. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes. If you feel sharp pain or excessive pulling, remove it immediately.

Pro-Tip: Before placing the bottle on the boil, briefly touch the glass to the skin on your forearm to test the temperature. It should be warm, not painfully hot.

Phase 3: Aftercare

Remove Gently: To release the suction, gently press the skin down near the rim of the bottle to break the seal.
Clean the Area: If the boil has drained, clean the area thoroughly with an antiseptic wash. Pat dry with a sterile cloth.
Cover the Boil: Apply a sterile, non-stick dressing to protect the open wound and absorb any further drainage. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after.

🛑 Risks and When You MUST See a Doctor

This home remedy is not without significant risks. You should avoid this method and see a doctor immediately if any of the following apply:

Location: The boil is on your face, neck, spine, armpit, or groin. These areas have a higher risk of complications.
Signs of Spreading Infection: You develop a fever, chills, severe pain, or see red streaks leading away from the boil.
Underlying Health Conditions: You have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or are undergoing chemotherapy.
Severity: The boil is very large (a carbuncle), extremely painful, or does not improve within a few days.
Burn Risk: The bottle is too hot and could cause a serious burn on top of the infection.
Scarring Risk: Suction, especially if too strong, can damage the surrounding tissue and lead to permanent scarring.

Reader Stories: Successes & Cautions

"The doctor had repeatedly lanced my son's boils and he was on constant antibiotics. We finally tried the hot bottle method, and it pulled out all the gunk and the core. The boil never came back after that."

— A reader's success story

"Be very careful. I used a jar on a boil and it worked, but it left a permanent circular scar that is still visible years later. I would not use it anywhere visible."

— A reader's cautionary tale

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the boil doesn't have a head?

This technique is generally not effective on "blind" boils (boils that haven't formed a white or yellow head). It works best when the boil is ready to drain. Applying warm compresses can help bring a boil to a head first.

How much suction is too much?

The suction should be gentle. If the skin turns dark red or purple, or if you feel pinching or sharp pain, the suction is too strong. Remove the bottle immediately.

Can this be used on a carbuncle (cluster of boils)?

No. Carbuncles are larger, deeper infections that have a much higher risk of complications. They require professional medical treatment and should never be treated at home with this method.

Have You Tried This Method?

Share your experience in the comments. Your story—whether a success or a warning—can help others make safer, more informed decisions.

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.

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3 User Reviews

5 star (2)		67%
1 star (1)		33%

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Posted by Lady Mars (Florida) on 07/12/2015
★★★★★

When my husband was younger, he got several boils and carbuncles over the course of a year. The hospital lanced them each time and they usually came back. He also got antibiotics and perhaps other drugs. The worst one was a carbuncle, an infected boil with several heads. Finally his father suggested an old remedy and the doctor agreed to try it.

Find a bottle with a mouth just large enough to fit over the boil. Fill the bottle with very hot water. In a minute or two, dump out the water. Place the hot bottle over the boil and a suction will form, pulling out the "gunk". In my husband's case, the boil never came back.

Replied by Katzie
(Calgary)
10/19/2015
★☆☆☆☆

The bottle / jar method leaves a scar.

Richard
(Philippians)
07/25/2020
★★★★★

As long as the boil isn't on my face or neck or some place where a scar will be seen. I don't care if there is a scar! The bottle method will pull the core of the boil out, it works! The boil will not come back!