Home Remedies For Boils

Dry It Up

Benzoyl Peroxide

Oftentimes, a boil will heal up if you just dry it out. To speed it along, dab the boil with an acne medicine that contains the ingredient benzoyl peroxide. Why’s it work? Benzoyl peroxide will not only dry it up, but also kill all of the bacteria that caused the boil in the first place.

Tea-tree Oil

An alternative to using benzoyl peroxide is using tea-tree oil. Why’s it work? Tea-tree oil is an antiseptic that will kill the bacteria. It will also make the boil heal faster.

Heat It Up

Moist Heat

Applying a very hot compress will help to bring the boil to a head. Here’s how to make one: Run a washcloth under the hottest water that you can stand. Wring out the washcloth and apply it directly to the boil for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this process several times a day until the boil bursts open. Why’s it work? This helps to dramatically accelerate the healing process.

Thyme or Chamomile Tea

Instead of using plain water for the compress, use thyme or chamomile tea. Why’s it work? Thyme contains thymol, which will prevent infection. The chamomile works because of the chamazulene it contains, which is a natural anti-inflammatory.

Tea Bag

Instead of using a washcloth, use a plain, warm, wet tea bag. Why’s it work? The warmth will bring the boil to a head and the tannins in the tea will act as a natural antibacterial.

A Hot Bath

If you’re experiencing a boil in an area that’s just out of reach, soak in a nice, hot bath for 15-20 minutes. For this remedy for boils to be most effective, make sure that you keep adding hot water as the bath water cools down.

Draining A Boil

After the boil comes to a head (whether you’ve helped it along or not), you can lance it and get immediate relief. Here’s how:

1. First, sterilize a needle by putting it over an open flame. A word to the wise…remember to protect your fingers, so as not to burn them.
2. Use the sterilized needle to lightly prick the layer of skin that’s covering the boil’s head. A word of warning: Do not drain the boil if you see any signs of infection, such as, redness or streaking.

Keep It Clean

• Once you’ve lanced the boil (or if it has burst on its own), you need to avoid infection by keeping it clean.

• As it continues to drain, use an antibacterial soap to wash both the boil and the skin surrounding it.

• Using a Q-tip, apply an antibacterial ointment to keep infection at bay.

When To Call The Doctor

Seek a doctor’s treatment and advice when dealing with boils on the face, armpits or groin. Also, a boil that is larger than ½ inch or so in size may need to be checked out. If you find yourself getting boils of any size quite often, consult your doctor just to make sure that diabetes or an immune-system malfunction isn’t to blame.

Neck Pain Remedies

Heat It Up

Take a hot shower, apply a heating pad on the low setting or use a hot water bottle.  Why’s it work?  Heat will relax the muscles, ease the pain and eliminate the stiffness.

If muscular tension seems to be the culprit, then using a hot compress is a great, fast-acting remedy.  Just soak a washcloth in hot water, wring it out, then apply it to your sore neck for 10 minutes.

Don’t feel like dealing with a wet washcloth?  Set your hair dryer on high and let the heated air blow on your sore neck for a few minutes.

Capsaicin

Use an over-the-counter cream that contains capsaicin, which is a compound found in hot peppers.  Believe it or not, the U.S. Army tested this out on people that suffer from chronic neck pain and found out that when applied 4 times a day, this cream significantly reduces instances of neck pain and stiffness.

Pressure & Massage

Apply Pressure

Here’s an easy trick that works well:  Using your fingertips, apply steady pressure on the part of your neck that hurts for a few minutes.

Massage

Using your hands, massage your neck in downward strokes for a few minutes.  After the 3 minutes are up, you should feel a dramatic difference.  Why’s it work?  Massage helps to loosen the tension in your neck, thus providing much needed relief.

Stretch It Out

For nearly instant neck pain relief, try one or both of these 2 stretches:

Neck Stretch 1

Before you begin, relax your neck muscles.  Without lifting your shoulder, tilt your head to one side as far as it will go without feeling strained.  Hold this neck stretch for 10 seconds and then repeat on the other side.  Do this 4 times.

Neck Stretch 2

Again, relax your neck and shoulder muscles.  Slowly, tilt your head forward and hold the stretch for 10 seconds.  Do this 4 times.

An Ounce of Prevention…

• If you’re a stomach sleeper, try sleeping on your back instead.  This will keep your neck from getting “kinked”.  You may also want to consider investing in a good, neck-supporting pillow, as well.

• Practice good posture.  By keeping your head, shoulder and hips in a straight line when sitting or standing, you will greatly reduce neck pain.

• If you spend a ton of time at the computer, make sure that your monitor is at a comfortable level.  By raising it to eye level, you will dramatically reduce the strain you put on your neck.

• If you’re a lady who loves to wear high heels, neck pain may be the price you have to pay.  Heels throw your spine out of alignment, making you stick your neck out.

• Keep your neck covered.  Make sure to throw on a scarf to protect your neck when it is cold out.  Cold temperatures can really aggravate neck stiffness and pain.

When To Call The Doctor

Usually neck pain is pretty harmless, however, you should see a doctor if the pain lasts for more than 3 days or if you find that the home remedies you try just don’t provide you with relief.  Of course, you should seek medical attention immediately if you believe that the neck pain is as a result of an accident or injury.