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.
Ruth (NewCastle, California) on 09/15/2007:
gentian violet works on my boils/sores. it takes awhile but it dries them up and then they fall off. no piking at sores, just takes longer to heal.