How Do You Treat a Boil?
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Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD
A boil—medically known as a furuncle—is a common skin infection that occurs when a hair follicle or oil gland becomes infected. A boil usually appears as a red, painful lump that fills up with pus and causes pain and discomfort.
There are several types of boils that you can develop, based on the underlying condition that is causing your boil. That said, there are a variety of treatment options to choose from, ranging from at-home remedies to medical therapies. Your exact treatment plan will depend on the type of boil you have and the severity of your condition.
The primary goal of treatment for a boil is to relieve discomfort, drain the pus from the infected site, and prevent the boil from coming back. Generally, your primary care provider (PCP) or a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in the skin, hair, and nails) will help you manage and treat a boil.
Treatments for a Furuncle
Furuncular boils are the most common type of boils. Furuncles are pus-filled boils that start as small, red-colored bumps and gradually get bigger. You'll likely develop a furuncle from bacterial infections (such as a staph infection). Your treatment will depend on the size of your boil and the severity of your furuncle. Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following options:
Warm compresses: Using a heating pad or a towel soaked in warm water can help drain the boil naturally. For this treatment to be effective, your provider will recommend applying a warm compress several times throughout the day.
Skincare: Your healthcare provider may also recommend at-home remedies to take care of your skin, such as using antibacterial soap to gently cleanse your skin and bandaging the boil with gauze to prevent skin irritation.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) are common treatments that can help you manage the pain and inflammation associated with boils.
Antibiotics: Because furuncles often occur due to a bacterial infection, your healthcare provider can prescribe an antibiotic medication to reduce symptoms of the infection and relieve pain from the boil—especially if OTC medications didn't work for you. You'll likely receive a prescription for an antibiotic such as Duricef (cefadroxil) to take twice a day.
Incision and drainage: A healthcare provider will make a small cut into the boil and drain pus from the boil manually. This option is only used when a boil doesn't heal or drain on its own. While this therapy is effective in relieving pain quickly, it's possible to experience scarring or a risk of infection.
Treatments for Cystic Acne
Cystic acne is a severe form of acne that can cause large, red, and painful pus-filled boils. Typically, these boils develop on your face, chest, and back. In most cases, specialized treatment from your dermatologist is the best way to get rid of these types of boils. Your dermatologist may recommend the following treatments:
Topical medications: Retinoids and benzoyl peroxide are medical treatments that you can apply directly onto your skin to reduce inflammation and unclog your pores. Generally, these medications are the first line of treatment for cystic acne. When you start topical medication, it's common to experience skin irritation and dryness in the first few weeks.
Oral antibiotics: Your healthcare provider may prescribe Monodox (doxycycline) or Minocin (minocycline), which help control bacterial growth and reduce inflammation. You would typically use these medications for up to three to four months only. Prolonged use of these medications can lead to antibiotic resistance and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Accutane (isotretinoin): This oral retinoid medication helps reduce boils for severe cystic acne. Accutane is a very strong prescription drug, which requires careful monitoring from your dermatologist, due to risks such as dry skin and potential mood changes.
Birth control: Hormonal treatments like birth control pills can be effective in reducing cystic acne for people who have menstrual periods.
Corticosteroid injections: If medications aren't working properly, your dermatologist may recommend corticosteroid injections—or, shots that can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain on your skin. Your provider will inject cortisone (a type of steroid hormone) directly into the affected areas of your skin to offer instant relief for inflamed boils. Dermatologists use this type of treatment sparingly, as long-term use can sometimes lead to inflammatory conditions such as asthma or inflammatory bowel disease.
Treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic (long-term) skin condition that causes recurrent and painful boils in the areas of your skin that have sweat glands—such as your underarms and groin. If not treated properly, these boils can cause scarring on your skin. Fortunately, treatment can reduce the presence of boils and improve symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend these treatments:
Antibiotics: Cleocin T (clindamycin) and Rifadin (rifampin) are medications that your healthcare provider can prescribe for 10 to 12 weeks at a time. These medications come in topical or oral form, meaning you can apply them directly to your skin or take them orally through a pill. While these medications can improve symptoms, topical antibiotics can cause some skin irritation, while oral antibiotics may lead to gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting.
Humira (adalimumab): Humira is an FDA-approved injection medication that can treat moderate to severe cases of HS. Side effects of this medication may include infections or swelling at the injection site.
Surgery: If your HS boils and abscesses aren't going away or improving with medication, your healthcare provider may recommend a minor skin surgery to cut and remove persistent boils. While surgery can improve symptoms, this therapy does include risks such as scarring and the potential for recurrence of boils on your skin.
While not an official treatment option, wearing loose clothing can help prevent new boils from forming on your sweat glands.
Treatments for Pilonidal Cysts
Pilonidal cysts are unique boils that develop near your tailbone as a result of sitting for long periods or ingrown hairs. These pus-filled cysts can get infected and cause pain and swelling. Medical treatments for these types of boils include:
Incision and drainage: Treatment for these cysts often involves some kind of minor surgery or therapy. The most common treatment for this type of boil is cutting open the cyst and draining it. Keep in mind: you should never cut open a boil on your own. Only your dermatologist or other healthcare provider can perform this operation.
Laser therapy: This treatment method uses a laser to kill hair follicles to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs, which can prevent the risk of the formation of pilonidal cysts. Laser therapy is still a new treatment for these types of cysts. Currently, healthcare providers may recommend multiple laser therapy sessions, as it's possible for cysts to come back within three months of the first procedure.
Surgical removal: Surgery is the most definitive treatment for these cysts but comes with risks, like pain, wound infection, and a long recovery period.
Living With and Managing Boils
Whether you experience a boil from time to time or have an underlying health condition that requires ongoing treatment, there are a variety of treatment options that can help you reduce symptoms. However, without treatment, boils can worsen, recur, or cause complications like abscesses or infections that affect your whole body.
Adopting certain lifestyle changes can also help improve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. These lifestyle modifications include maintaining good skin hygiene, wearing breathable clothing, and managing underlying conditions that cause boils. If you're experiencing boils frequently, your healthcare provider is the best fit to offer strategies on how to reduce symptoms and prevent future boils from occurring.
A Quick Review
Regardless of what type of boil you have, these pus-filled bumps can cause pain, swelling, and discomfort. But knowing how to treat these common skin infections can help you reduce symptoms and prevent the risk of serious complications. Your exact treatment plan will depend on the type of boil you have but may include maintaining good skin hygiene, topical or oral medication, or minor surgeries like incisions and drainage. With proper treatment, boils are manageable.
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