Boil | Health Encyclopedia: Boil

Boil: From 2 Different Sources

An inflamed, pus-filled area of skin, usually an infected hair follicle. A more severe and extensive form of a boil that involves several hair follicles is a carbuncle. The usual cause of a boil is infection with the bacterium STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS. Recurrent boils may occur in people with known or unrecognized diabetes mellitus or with other conditions in which general resistance to infection is impaired. Treatment may be with antibiotic drugs but, if pus is released surgically, the boil will usually heal without antibiotics.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association

n. a tender inflamed area of the skin containing pus. The infection is usually caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus entering through a hair follicle or a break in the skin, and local injury or lowered constitutional resistance may encourage the development of boils. Boils usually heal when the pus is released or with antibiotic treatment, though occasionally they may cause more widespread infection. Medical name: furuncle.

Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Delhi Boil

Delhi boil is a form of chronic body sore occurring in Eastern countries, caused by a protozoan parasite, Leishmania tropica. (See LEISHMANIASIS.)... delhi boil

Boils (furunculosis)

A skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus, beginning in adjacent hair follicles (see FOLLICLE). As the folliculitis becomes con?uent, a tender red lump develops which becomes necrotic (see NECROSIS) centrally with pus formation. A cluster of boils becoming con?uent is called a carbuncle. Release of the pus and an oral antibiotic lead to rapid healing.

Recurrent boils are usually due to a reservoir of staphylococcal bacteria (see STAPHYLOCOCCUS) in a nostril or elsewhere, so an intranasal antibiotic cream may be prescribed. Underlying DIABETES MELLITUS should always be excluded.... boils (furunculosis)

Boils

Furuncles. A boil is a hard swelling arising from infection of the hair roots and sweat glands caused by staphylococcus bacteria and dead white corpuscles. It is red and inflamed, with a central point, and can occur anywhere, especially, back of the neck, under armpit, on buttocks. A pustule develops, which increases in size and tension. A poultice may be necessary to bring the boil to bursting point and to discharge its contents. Severe cases require lancing with a sharp sterile instrument. Defective personal hygiene may produce satellite lesions nearby by pus infecting other hair follicles or by burrowing under the skin (carbuncle). Where persistent, test for diabetes.

Care should be taken to trace any underlying cause which should receive primary treatment: diabetes, kidney inflammation, anaemia, etc. The ‘core’ or centre of the boil should be extracted, although pustular matter may disperse and eruption aborted. Echinacea counters infection and hastens ripening. Goldenseal is shown to be effective for staph. aureus.

Alternatives. Teas. Chickweed, Clivers, Comfrey leaves, Figwort, Linseed, Marshmallow leaves, Plantain, Nettles.

Combination tea. Equal parts: Dandelion root, Nettles, Senna leaf, Burdock leaves. 1-2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water, thrice daily.

Decoctions from any of the following: one teaspoon to two cups water; gently simmer 20 minutes; strain when cold. Half-1 cup thrice daily. Blue Flag root, Burdock root, Echinacea root, Marshmallow root, Yellow Dock, Wild Indigo.

Tablets/capsules. Echinacea, Blue Flag, Queen’s Delight, Poke root.

Powders. Formula: Echinacea 1; Poke root half; Goldenseal quarter. Dose: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon) thrice daily.

Tinctures. Formula. Echinacea 1; Burdock 1; Yellow Dock 1; Few drops Tincture Myrrh. Mix. Dose: 1 teaspoon in water thrice daily.

Tincture Myrrh, BPC (1973). 10-20 drops in water, 3 times daily.

BHP (1983) recommends, internal – combination: Burdock, Poke root, Violet and Wild Indigo.

Topical. Self-cleansing process is promoted by hot poultices of equal parts: Marshmallow root and Slippery Elm bark (preferably in powder form). An ointment with this combination is available. In the absence of herbs, use honey on clean lint, cover with cotton wool and fix in position. Alternatives: poultices of Carrot, Cabbage, White Pond Lily, Chickweed, Comfrey, Plantain, Linseed, Fenugreek. Cover with clean linen or gauze.

Dr A. Vogel. Tincture Marigold; pulped Cabbage leaves.

Tea Tree oil. After cleansing site, use lotion: 5 drops oil in eggcup boiled water, 3-4 times daily. Supplements. Vitamins A, C, D, E. Zinc.

Preventative: 2 Garlic capsules at night. ... boils

Boil Health Dictionary

Boil: From 2 Different Sources

Delhi Boil

Boils (furunculosis)

Boils

Aleppo Boil

Baghdad Boil

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