How to Prevent and Treat Abscesses and Boils

Generally somewhat painful and tender, abscesses and boils are lumps that contain pus. They are usually caused by bacterial infection. These disorders, especially if they occur repeatedly, may be a sign that your immune system is weak.

An abscess can develop in any organ and in soft tissue beneath the skin anywhere on the body. Common sites include the breasts, the gums, the armpits and the groin. Boils develop in the skin, usually around a hair follicle, and common sites include the back of the neck, the armpits and the groin. A carbuncle is a large boil or a cluster of boils. Carbuncles occur less frequently than regular boils, often on he neck or the buttocks.

Boils and carbuncles are readily visible, whereas an abscess is usually invisible or apparent only as a tender swelling. Most boils subside or come to a head and discharge through the skin. An abscess may subside, grow, burst inside, become a sac of uninfected pus, or discharge via a long track through the skin.

Abscess and boils can be prevented by strengthening your body’s resistance to infection by eating fewer foods containing sugar, white flour and saturated fats, and more fresh vegetables and fruits. If you feel run down, make sure that you are getting enough rest, fresh air and exercise, and consider having a medical checkup.

Never burst a boil yourself. There is a risk that this might spread the infection. For boils that have not burst, wring out a clean piece of cloth in warm water and place it over the affected area until the cloth cools. Do this every two hours to speed healing. For a boil on the torso or legs, add Epsom salts to your bathwater. Use two handfuls of salts, and soak for 15 minutes daily. This treatment is unsuitable for the very young, the elderly and those with high blood pressure. If your boil, abscess or carbuncle has burst, take a shower instead of a bath to reduce the risk of the infection spreading.

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