NHS Choices Condition
Content supplied by NHS Choices
Self-care techniques
In most cases, you can treat a boil successfully at home. One of the best ways to speed up the healing process is to apply a warm facecloth to the boil for 10 minutes, three or four times a day.
The heat increases the amount of blood circulating around the boil, which means more infection-fighting white blood cells are sent there.
After touching the boil, wash your hands thoroughly using hot water and soap, because this will help to prevent you spreading any bacteria to other parts of your body, or to other people.
Never attempt to squeeze or pierce the head of a boil, because this can spread the infection.
Over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can be used to relieve any pain that is caused by the boil.
Medical treatment
If your symptoms or medical history suggest that you are at risk of developing complications, your GP may prescribe a week-long course of antibiotics.
If there is pus in the boil, your GP may attempt to drain the pus away using a sterilised needle. This process is known as lancing a boil.
Lancing a boil should only be attempted by a healthcare professional who has received medical training and who has the correct equipment.
Back to the Embarrassing Bodies Condition Guide or view information about Boils on www.nhs.co.uk »Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
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