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.

Why Are You Itchy?

Well, anal itching can have any number of causes.  It could be the food you’re eating, a personal hygiene issue or brace yourself…you may have worms.  Fungal infections can also cause the rather indelicate itching of the anus.

Instant Itch Stoppers

Hydrocortisone Cream

If you suspect that the cause of the incessant itching is hemorrhoids or an anal fissure (a small tear in the skin lining the anus), then grab a tube of hydrocortisone cream at your local drug store.  Why’s it work?  It will not only relieve the itching, but it will help to bring down the swelling, which is usually the main reason for the discomfort in the first place.

Benozocaine Cream

While you’re at the drug store, pick up a tube of benzocaine cream, as well.  Why’s it work?  It has ingredients in it that numb the skin, which will ease the anal itching.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is great for 2 reasons.  First, it is an excellent cleanser and will strip away any irritants that are causing the itch.  Secondly, it’s astringent properties will reduce the swelling that comes with an irritated bottom.  Just soak a cotton ball in the witch hazel and apply to the area.

Baking Soda

Use baking soda to soak away the itchiness.  Just put 3-4 tablespoons into a warm sitz bath (a few inches of water) and sit for about 15 minutes.  For maximum effectiveness, make sure that you bring your knees up to your chest so that as much water as possible reaches the area in question.  This remedy works because the baking soda will ease the irritation.

Apply A Tea Bag

Apply a warm, wet tea bag to the area.  Just boil some water, add the tea bag, let it seep for a few minutes, then let it cool to a comfortable temperature.  Why’s it work?  Tea contains tannic acid, which will help to reduce the swelling and pain.  Also, the warmth of the tea bag will be soothing to your itchy bum.

An Ounce of Prevention…

• After using the bathroom, make sure that you’re wiping enough to get rid of all traces of stool.

• If you think that wiping too much is the culprit, switch over to a moisturizing baby wipe.

• Try not to overindulge in coffee and/or spicy foods.  Believe it or not, spicy foods and the oils in coffee beans both contain irritants that may cause itching when passing through our bodies.

• Get more fiber into your diet.  By consuming at least 30 grams of fiber a day, you will reduce your chances of getting anal fissures, which are caused by hardened stool.  These fissures are the most common reason for anal itching.

When To Call The Doctor

If you have any blood or discharge accompanying the itching, it may be time to see a doctor.

Athlete’s foot isn’t just limited to the locker room.  There are some great remedies out there, but the power of prevention is key.  In this article, we’ll show you how to get rid of Athlete’s foot symptoms and prevent it from happening again.

What is Athlete’s Foot?

Well, what you’re experiencing is actually a fungus called tinea pedis.  When this fungus takes hold, you’ll experience itchy, flaky skin, usually just between the toes, but it can spread to the soles and sides of your feet and even to the toenails.

The Best OTC Athlete’s Foot Treatment

If you’re looking for an Athlete’s Foot Cure at your drugstore, then pick up a tube of cream or ointment that contains the ingredient miconazole nitrate or tolnaftate.  Here’s the trick to these creams being an effective cure:  Don’t stop using them once you think the fungus is gone!  You have to keep it up for a good 6 weeks or so to permanently rid yourself of the tinea pedis.  Stop any sooner and the Athlete’s foot will  be back.

Make Your Own Paste

Baking Soda

Baking soda does more than absorb odors in your fridge.  Make a paste out of it by mixing 1 tablespoon with just enough water to bind it.  Then rub it into the affected parts of your foot.  Rinse and then dry.  Why’s it work?  It relieves the itch and burn between your toes with it’s drying and soothing properties.  Want to take this remedy up a notch?  Top it off with a dusting of powder, such as Gold Bond Medicated.  If you don’t have any, then plain, old cornstarch will also do the trick.

Soak Away The Itch And Burn

Tea

You can get a great deal of relief by making up a “tea bath”.  Just boil a saucepan of water and add 5 or 6 tea bags.  After 5 minutes, let it cool enough to soak your feet in.  Soak for 30 minutes.  Why’s it work?  Tea contains tannic acid, which acts as an astringent and will dry out those sweaty feet.

Salt

Make up a salt soak by placing a few teaspoons of salt in a pint of warm water.  By soaking your feet for 5-10 minutes, you will dramatically speed up the healing time.  Epsom salt will also work nicely.

Herbal Remedies

Tea-Tree Oil

For a soothing, healing rub, mix up equal parts tea-tree oil and olive oil and massage it into your skin twice a day.  Why’s it work?  Tea-tree oil is a natural antiseptic.  It’s antifungal, antibacterial properties along with the skin softening properties of the olive oil will get you on your way to recovery.  If you don’t have olive oil on hand, then use aloe gel instead.

Lavender

Lavender is used just like the tea tree oil above.  It’s antifungal properties work wonders.

Calendula

This stuff has been used for centuries because of it’s potent healing properties.  Both an antifungal and anti-inflammatory, you can find it in health food stores.

An Ounce Of Prevention…

One very important thing to keep in mind is that the fungus (tinea) that causes Athlete’s Foot is the same one that causes jock itch.  Make sure that you give your hands a good washing after using any of these remedies.  We wouldn’t want it to spread now would we?

• Dry your feet thoroughly when you get out of the shower.  If you shower in a place that others use, too, like the gym, then consider wearing shower slippers to keep from becoming infected.

• Let your feet breathe.  Steer clear of man-made fibers when it comes to socks and only wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe, such as one‘s made of canvas or leather.

• If your feet have a tendency to sweat a lot, then don’t wear the same shoes 2 days in a row.  Why?  Because it takes at least a day for your sweaty shoes to dry out.

• To kill off fungus spores, spray the insides of your shoes with Lysol or at least give them a dusting of antifungal powder when you take them off.

When To Call The Doctor

If your Athlete’s Foot is not responding to any home remedies after 3 weeks, you may have to see a doctor.  Athlete’s Foot, left untreated can cause skin to crack and become infected.  Another warning sign would be if your feet start to ooze or you begin to see red streaks appearing.

Warm It Up

Fill up your bath tub with about 4-5 inches of warm water.  Of course, you can use more water than that, if you want to enjoy a relaxing soak while shrinking your hemorrhoids.  Once you’re seated in the water, make sure to bring your knees up, as close to your chest as possible.  This allows more of the warm water to get to the area that needs it.  If you want to take this remedy to the next level, add a handful of Epsom salts to the bath.  Make sure you stir it up before you get in.

Why it works:

The warm water encourages the blood to flow into the area, which then helps to shrink the swollen hemorrhoids.  As far as the Epsom salt goes, it helps to constrict the hemorrhoids.

Tea For One

Another good hemorrhoid remedy is applying a warm, tea bag to the area.  Maybe it’s not as easy as the bath, but it will definitely soothe.

Why it works:

Tea contains an ingredient called tannic acid.   Tannic acid will reduce the pain and the swelling.  It also helps blood to clot, so if you’re experiencing problems with a bleeding hemorrhoid, then this remedy will be most beneficial.  Of course, it will also be warm, when applied, which soothes.

Cool It Down

Grab one of your heavy-duty freezer bags and add some ice.  Wrap the icy bag in a towel and sit on it for 20 minutes.  You can do this as often as necessary, but make sure to take at least a 10 minute break between ice sitting sessions.

Why it works:

Simply, the ice will almost immediately shrink the swollen hemorrhoids.

Just A Dab Will Do Ya’

If you’ve found relief from Tucks pads in the past, then this is a great, inexpensive alternative because the main ingredient in them is witch hazel.  Soak a cotton ball in undistilled witch hazel.  Apply it directly to the hemorrhoids.

Why it works:

Just like tea, witch hazel contains tannins.  They are great because it causes the blood vessels to contract, thus relieving the pain and pressure associated with hemorrhoids.

An Ounce of Prevention…

Put Your Feet Up

A couple of times a day, make a point to lay back on the couch with your feet up.  Your mind will thank you for allowing it to rest easy for a few and your overstressed anal area will greatly benefit from your taking the weight off of it.

Eat More Roughage

Okay, I’m sure you’ve heard this one before, but that’s because it’s very important.  Research has shown that eating a diet that is high in fiber will significantly reduce the symptoms of hemorrhoids. That means eating more high-fiber cereals, whole grain breads and veggies.  An important thing to remember about eating this way, though, is that you must make sure that you are getting enough fluids to allow all of this fiber to pass through your body!  If you are not drinking enough water, you will become constipated and then you will be back to square one.

Bathroom Behavior Tips

When you feel like you have to go, go.  Waiting leads to constipation.  Constipation leads to straining.  You know the routine.

When you are finished using the bathroom, try to wipe with dampened, unscented, plain, white toilet paper.  I know that TP in pretty colors makes the bathroom look pretty, but it also has added irritants and just isn’t worth the risk.

After you’re done with your initial clean up, try using some facial tissue that has an added moisturizer.  It will be lubricating and soothing at the same time.

For Those Who Sit All Day

I’m guilty of this one myself.  If you’re like me and find yourself either chained to a computer all day or to an office chair, make sure to take a lap around the office every hour.  Just five minutes of leisurely walking will greatly reduce the pressure on your rectum.  It will also help to keep food passing through the intestines, which will help to stave off constipation.

When To Call The Doctor

Hemorrhoids are pretty common and usually can be treated at home.  However, some health problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease and bowel infections can present the same symptoms as hemorrhoids do.  You should call the doctor if you notice very dark blood in your stool (your poop will look almost black).  You should also call the doctor right away if you have significant rectal bleeding, persistent fecal incontinence or if the pain intensifies greatly and suddenly.