A boil can go from a tender bump to a painful, swollen lump in a day or two, and it usually shows up somewhere inconvenient: the armpit, inner thigh, buttocks, neck, or face. Most boils heal on their own within one to three weeks with simple home care, and the right approach can speed things up and cut the risk of spreading infection. Here’s how to get rid of a boil safely and how to tell when it needs a doctor.
What Is a Boil?
A boil (also called a furuncle) is a deep infection of a hair follicle, almost always caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Staph lives harmlessly on many people’s skin, but when it gets into a follicle through a small cut, friction, or an ingrown hair, the body walls the infection off and fills it with pus. When several boils join together under the skin, it’s called a carbuncle, which is more serious and more likely to cause fever.
Boils are related to folliculitis, a shallower infection of the follicles. Folliculitis that keeps getting worse can sometimes develop into boils.
What a Boil Looks Like
- A red, tender lump that starts about the size of a pea.
- Growing swelling and pain over a few days, sometimes to the size of a golf ball.
- A yellow or white tip (a “head”) as pus collects near the surface.
- Warm skin around the bump.
- Eventually, the boil drains on its own, then heals.
Boils are often mistaken for cysts or large pimples. A pimple is shallower and smaller, while a cyst is usually painless unless it becomes infected.
How to Get Rid of a Boil at Home
Step 1: Apply Warm Compresses
Warm compresses are the single most effective home treatment. Soak a clean washcloth in warm (not hot) water, wring it out, and hold it on the boil for 10 to 15 minutes, three or four times a day. The heat increases blood flow, helps your immune system fight the infection, and encourages the pus to come to a head and drain naturally.
Step 2: Let It Drain on Its Own
With warm compresses, most boils open and drain within a few days to a week. When it starts draining, gently clean the area with soap and warm water, then pat it dry with a clean towel.
Step 3: Keep It Covered
Cover a draining boil with a clean, dry gauze pad or non-stick bandage. Change the dressing at least once a day, or whenever it gets wet or soaked through. The pus contains bacteria, so keeping it covered helps stop the infection from spreading to other areas or other people.
Step 4: Manage the Pain
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with throbbing and tenderness. Follow the dosing instructions on the label.
Step 5: Practice Strict Hygiene
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching the boil or changing the dressing. Wash towels, washcloths, and bedding in hot water, and don’t share them until the boil has healed.
What Not to Do
- Don’t squeeze or pop it. Squeezing can push bacteria deeper into the skin or into the bloodstream, and it often makes the boil bigger and more painful.
- Don’t cut it open yourself. Lancing a boil at home with a needle or blade risks a serious infection and scarring. Leave that to a doctor.
- Don’t shave over it. Shaving can irritate the boil and spread bacteria.
- Don’t use harsh scrubs. Abrasive exfoliants and strong chemicals irritate inflamed skin.
Healing Stages and Timeline
- Days 1–3: A red, firm, painful lump forms.
- Days 3–7: The boil softens and a head of pus forms.
- Days 5–10: The boil ruptures and drains. Pain usually eases quickly afterward.
- Weeks 1–3: The area heals, sometimes leaving a small dark mark or scar, which fades over time.
Do Home Remedies Like Tea Tree Oil or Turmeric Work?
You’ll find plenty of suggested natural remedies for boils online, including tea tree oil, turmeric paste, castor oil, and onion or garlic poultices. Some of these ingredients have mild antibacterial properties in lab studies, but there’s little evidence that they clear a boil faster than warm compresses and good hygiene. If you want to try tea tree oil, always dilute it with a carrier oil first, test it on a small area of skin, and stop if it stings or causes redness. Never apply anything to an open, draining boil other than a clean dressing and, if a doctor recommends it, an antibiotic ointment.
Over-the-counter “drawing salves” are also marketed for boils. Some contain ingredients that can irritate or even damage the skin, so they’re best avoided unless your doctor or pharmacist suggests a specific product.
Boils in Sensitive Areas
Boils in the armpit, groin, or buttocks are common because these areas have lots of hair follicles, sweat, and friction. Wear loose, breathable cotton underwear and clothing while the boil heals. Recurring boils in the armpits or groin can sometimes be a sign of hidradenitis suppurativa, a long-term inflammatory skin condition, so mention the pattern to your doctor.
When to See a Doctor
Get medical care if any of these apply:
- The boil is on your face, especially near the nose or eyes, or on your spine or groin.
- It’s larger than about 2 inches (5 cm), very painful, or growing quickly.
- It hasn’t drained or improved after a week of home care.
- You have a fever, chills, or feel generally unwell.
- Red streaks spread out from the boil, or the surrounding skin becomes increasingly red and hot.
- You get boils repeatedly, or several at once (carbuncles).
- You have diabetes, a weakened immune system, or a heart condition.
A doctor may drain the boil with a small, sterile incision and may prescribe antibiotics, especially if the infection is spreading or caused by MRSA, a drug-resistant strain of staph.
How to Prevent Boils
- Wash daily with gentle soap, especially in areas prone to sweat and friction.
- Clean and cover any cuts or scrapes promptly.
- Avoid tight clothing that rubs the skin, especially in hot weather.
- Shave carefully with a clean, sharp blade to avoid nicks and ingrown hairs.
- Don’t share razors, towels, or sports gear.
- If you get frequent boils, ask a doctor about antibacterial washes or testing for staph carriage in the nose.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a boil to go away?
Most boils drain within one to two weeks and heal completely within about three weeks with consistent warm compresses and good hygiene.
Is it okay to pop a boil?
No. Popping or squeezing a boil can spread the infection deeper or to other areas. Let it drain naturally or have a doctor drain it.
What draws a boil to a head?
Warm compresses applied several times a day are the safest and most effective way to help a boil come to a head and drain.
Are boils contagious?
The boil itself isn’t contagious, but the staph bacteria in the pus can spread to other people or other parts of your body, so keep it covered and wash your hands.
Why do I keep getting boils?
Recurring boils can be linked to carrying staph bacteria, diabetes, a weakened immune system, or friction and sweating. See a doctor if you get them often.