Boils / Carbuncles

[AprilP]

Does anybody know anything about boils? My mother has a nasty boil on her stomach. I took her to the doctor last weekend and he gave her antibiotics and an antibiotic cream to put on it, but didn't lance it.

She says it's gotten smaller (around) but is now growing "out" (I guess she means swelling).

Will a boil come to a head on it's own? I always though they had to be lanced.

Any clues?

[jvera]

I get boils and the doctor gives me antibiotics too. I've only had one lanced and packed with gauze, but normally he doesn't lance them.

[baxjul]

It should come to a head. Sometimes holding a hot wet washcloth over it will help it.

[julieb]

Boils usually do come to a head, warm compresses help speed the process along. They don't always lance them or sometimes wait until it comes to a head before lancing. Please watch it carefully if it doesn't show signs of healing contact your doctor. I am glad your mom is on antibiotics. I had a boil last year and did go on antibiotics and despite that I became septic, eight hours after discovering the boil I had 102 fever. My doctor says that is a rare occurence, usually they are a localized infection.

If you notice it getting redder, feeling warmer or your mom gets a fever, contact her doctor. There are some superbugs/bacteria out there so any kind of infection is good to watch closely.

[lwlynch]

I recommend hot soak in the bath tub, or a hot compress. It seems to always bring it to a head. Then it will burst on its own. You may want to put a bandage on it, to keep it from getting on your clothes. I think the idea for the ointment is one to make it heal and then keep it from spreading another one.. not sure..
I hope your mom gets rid of it.. I know they hurt..

[Maine Girl]

I am prone to boils and my homeopathic doctor had me slice a potato and place it on the boil with a bandage. The starch draws out the infection. It might take more than one application but it has always worked for me. Good luck

[emily_hope]

My Daddy always used what he called 'black salve". It didn't smell good but boy did it work. It is actually called Ichthammol ointment. Here is an example:

Black Salve

[mikandmari]

My daughter had a nasty boil in December, it turned out to be MERCA. She was treated with Bactrim. It returned in January... another round of Bactrim. If it comes back again I'm going to request a referral to an infectious disease doctor.

It turned out there was a lot of it going around at her school. Thankfully, no one else in the family caught it. It can be fatal if untreated. So be careful with those boils!!!

Hope your Mom is feeling better by now...

[PrairieRose]

Be sure not to 'squeeze' it. Let it come to a head and expel naturally. I'll def. try the potato slice thing should I get one. We have a friend who just had one, had a staph infection. Dr. lanced it and gave him anti biotics. He's all better now.

[SSGWilkesWife]

My grandbaby had one on her booty last year. Poor thing couldnt even sit. Doctor gave her anitbiotics and we put her in warm tub and kept warm compressess on it. I also bought "boil ease" a black salve oinment, it helped tremendously. Do not squeeze, worst thing to do. It will come to a head, if it doesnt dr will lance as last resort. Good luck.

[SarahJD3584]

I have too much experience with boils. Ugh. Staph is a PAIN. What I've learned in my dealings with them has been that warm compresses will draw a head and usually make the head pop and drain on it's own, and it relieves the pain sometimes as well. Always take the antibiotics and prescribed, and getting some extra Vitamin C has always helped me too. I would say too though, if it's not getting any better a repeat visit to the doc would be the best move. With the MRSA scares out there... it's better safe than sorry.