A localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with white cells that the body sends to fight the infection (pus). Finally, the pus forms a "head" and drains out through the skin. A furuncle or carbuncle is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills. Cystic acne is a type of abscess formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years. Hidradenitis suppurativa is an illness in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the arm pits and in the groin area. These areas are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands. A pilonidal cyst is a special kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. These frequently form after long trips that involve sitting. Also: Abscess, Abscesses, Boils, Carbuncle, Carbuncles, Cystic Acne, Furuncle, Furuncles, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Pilonidal Cyst, Pilonidal Cysts

	Alfalfa As A Treatment "...Blood Conditions - anemia, boils, helps clot the blood..." Antibiotics As A Treatment "...more effective than antibiotics alone in treating a variety of conditions including pneumonia, bronchitis, staph skin infections, thrombophlebitis, cellulitis, pyelonephritis, perirectal and rectal abscesses, and sinusitis..." Appendicitis The Condition "...Laboratory findings of complications include dehydration - decreased urine volume; increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), hematocrit, and urine specific gravity; abscess formation; increased sedimentation rate; peritonitis..." Athletes Foot Recommendation Cinnamon "...Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add 8-10 broken sticks of cinnamon, reduce heat to low and simmer for five minutes; remove and steep, covered, for 45 minutes..." Recommendation Ginger Root "...Boil a cup of water, add one ounce of chopped fresh ginger, and simmer for twenty minutes..." Boils, Abscesses, Carbuncles The Condition "Boils are infected, pus-filled swellings in the skin that are often located in or near hair follicles..." Relationship to Weakened Immune System "Diseases that are associated with deficiencies in the normal immune system can increase the tendency to develop boils..." Relationship to Chronic Renal Insufficiency "People with certain illnesses, including kidney failure, are more at risk of developing boils..." Relationship to Diabetes Type II "People with certain illnesses, including diabetes, are more at risk of developing boils..." Recommendation Zinc "Zinc orally or topically may be effective for the treatment of boils and furuncles..." Recommendation Hot Applications (Thermotherapy) "The main treatment for most boils is heat application, usually with hot soaks or hot packs..." Recommendation Surgery "Surgery may occasionally be needed, especially in cases of pilonidal cysts that recur, but also for hidradenitis suppurativa..." Recommendation Homeopathic Remedies "Boils, carbuncles and other septic conditions can be effectively treated through homoeopathy..." Recommendation Antibiotics "Boils often resolve by themselves, but severe or recurring cases require medical treatment..." Recommendation Iron "Recurrent boils are sometimes associated with low iron levels..." Castor Oil As A Treatment "...Reasons For Use Conditions which have been responsive to castor oil applications include ... boils..." Cellulitis Related Topic "...It is more wide-spread than a localized infection as seen in an ulcer or abscess and causes the skin tissues in the infected area to become red, hot, painful and swollen..." Cilantro As A Treatment "...Mixture (for removing genital odors and halitosis): Boil 2 quarts of water and add 3 1/2 teaspoons of dry Cilantro seed, reducing heat to simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until volume is reduced by half..." Cleavers As A Treatment "...This plant works very well in treating eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea, acne, boils and abscesses, arthritis and gout..." Coccidioidomycosis Related Topic "...Approximately 1-in-1000 cases will progress to the disseminated form, leading to lesions in the lung and abscesses throughout the body..." Coffee Enema As A Treatment "...Procedure Put a little over 1 quart of clean water in a pan and bring it to a boil..." Colloidal Silver As A Treatment "...Claims are made for benefits in the following conditions: Acne*, allergies, arthritis - some types*, athletes foot*, bad breath, bladder infections, cystitis*, bleeding gums, boils*, burns*, candida*, canker sores, chronic fatigue, colds, colitis*, conjunctivitis*, cornea injury*, cystitis, dandruff, dermatitis, diabetes*, diarrhea*, digestive aid, diphtheria, dysentery,..." Comfrey As A Treatment "...In deep wounds, caution should be exercised as an external application placed too early can lead to tissue formation over the wound, possibly resulting in an abscess..." Condurango As A Treatment "...5gm (about one-quarter teaspoonful) of crushed Condurango to cold water and bring to a boil..." Cysts Recommendation Surgery "...An infected cyst can form into a very painful abscess for which surgical incision and drainage is usually necessary for pain relief..." Dysentery The Condition "...Rarely, the parasite will invade the body beyond the intestines and cause a more serious infection, such as a liver abscess..." Endocarditis The Condition "...Possible complications include: Infected blood clots that may travel to the brain, kidneys, or abdominal organs causing infections, abscesses or stroke; heart-rhythm disturbances (atrial fibrillation is most common); destruction of heart valves; lung clots; arthritis; myositis (inflammation of muscles); acute renal failure..." Enlarged Lymph Nodes The Condition "...Swelling of lymph nodes generally results from localized or systemic infection, abscess formation, or malignancy; other causes of enlarged lymph nodes are extremely rare..." Excessive Sweating The Condition "...Home remedy for sweaty hands or feet: Boil five tea bags in a quart of water for five minutes..." Hemorrhoids The Condition "...Many anorectal problems, including fissures, fistulae, abscesses, or irritation and itching (pruritus ani), have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids..." Kelp As A Treatment "...Kelp is recommended when pus accumulates in a particular part of the body due to infection and if an abscess forms..." Lithosperma As A Treatment "...Directions Place 30 mg seeds in 3 cups water and bring to a boil..." Lymph Nodes Related Topic "...Swollen or painful lymph nodes generally result from localized or systemic infection, abscess formation, or malignancy..." Muscle Pains (Myalgia) The Condition "...Some of the most common causes are ... Infections/infestations of the muscle such as staphylococcal abscess (pyomyositis) or trichinosis..." Neutropenia The Condition "...Skin is the second most common infection site, manifesting as ulcers, abscesses, rashes, and delays in wound healing..." Night Sweats Relationship to Chronic / Hidden Infection "A hidden infection, such as an abscess in the liver or spleen, can cause night sweats and fever without many other symptoms..." Noni As A Treatment "...In Hawaii, ripe fruits are applied to draw out pus from an infected boil..." Olive Leaf Extract As A Treatment "...In addition to the infusion, poultices were also made of the olive leaves to treat boils, rashes, warts and other skin problems..." Orbital Cellulitis The Condition "...It is usually caused by a bacterial infection which typically will have spread from the ethmoid or para-nasal sinuses but may also have its origin elsewhere such as a boil on the eye or eyelid (stye), recent trauma to the eye, injury to the eyelid (including bug bites), or a foreign object..." Periapical Abscess Related Topic "An abscess or pus pocket around the apex of the root of a tooth, sometimes called a gumboil..." Periodontal Disease - Gingivitis The Condition "...Abscesses..." Peritonitis The Condition "...This condition can be confused with intraabdominal abscess (abdominal abscess), which involves a collection of pus in the abdomen that may cause peritonitis..." Pneumonia Recommendation Bromelain "In a clinical study of 124 patients hospitalized with chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, bronchiectasis, or pulmonary abscess, those receiving bromelain orally showed a decrease in the volume and pus-like quality of the sputum..." Shepherd's Purse As A Treatment "...It is a remedy of the first importance in catarrhal conditions of the bladder and ureters, also in ulcerated conditions and abscess of the bladder..." Sjogren's Syndrome The Condition "...It is important to get treatment for pneumonia to prevent lung abscess (a hole in the lung caused by severe infection)..." Staphylococcus Related Topic "...Staph of various types are responsible for boils and carbuncles; they may be involved in impetigo, toxic shock syndrome, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and urinary tract infections, as well as some food poisoning..." STD Gonorrhea The Condition "...PID can lead to internal abscesses (pus pockets that are hard to cure), long-lasting pelvic pain, and infertility..." Steam / Spray Treatments As A Treatment "...Boil about 4-6 cups (1-1..." Susceptibility To Miscarriages The Condition "...Possible complications from spontaneous abortion include infected pregnancy tissue, which could lead to pelvic abscess, septic shock, or even death..." Tea Tree oil As A Treatment "...Tea tree oil has been used in the treatment of: acne, athlete's foot, boils, burns, carbuncles, impetigo, infections of the nail bed, insect bites, ringworm, and vaginal infections..." Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) The Condition "...Some develop complications in the lungs, such as tissue death or abscesses..." Weight Loss As A Treatment "...Strategies for reducing saturated fat and cholesterol intake include ... Broil, bake or boil foods instead of frying..."

Last updated: Oct 22, 2008