In this article we will see how to treat recurring boils on inner thigh and simple remedies and methods to treat them.
Development of infection on skin near oil gland or hair follicle is known as boil. They appear like a lump which in 4-6days is filled with pus and is often painful. Boils commonly develop on the areas that are under friction constantly like armpits, necks, elbow joint, breast and inner thigh. If a cluster of boils appear at a place it is called carbuncle.
When a boil develops more than thrice in a period of 12months its called a recurring boil. Recurring boils on inner thigh develop due to a bacterial infection, sweat or due to certain skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
How to treat a boil?
Normal boil don’t need medical attention and can be treated at home using a hot compress or by cleaning the area using an antibacterial soap. If the infection further develops seek medical aid immediately.
Causes of a boil:
Boils are mostly caused due to staphylococcal bacteria, this bacteria reaches the hair follicle via wounds or cuts on skin and forms a boil.
There are also many health issues that may be a cause of a boil like:
Diabetes
Harsh chemical exposure
Poor immunity
Malnourishment
Symptoms of a boil:
A boil is a hard, red skin, painful bump in the initial stages, when the infection further develops it become soft, white and is filled with pus. When severity of the infection increases;
- Skin around the boil becomes warm, red and painful.
- More boils develop around the previously developed one.
- Swelling of lymph nodes is seen and person may also develop fever.
It is important to know that not all red bumps on skin are boils. They could also be simple acne, insect bites or skin disorder condition like eczema, cyst or psoriasis.
Seek medical attention when you notice the severity in the symptoms. Your doctor will do a physical exam for diagnosis as most of the time boils develop due to some kind off skin infection or fungal infection and can be treated with oral antibiotic and ointments. Incase of severe infection the doctor may drain the boil by making an incision to it and prescribe oral antibiotics.
Boils on inner thigh:
Boils are generally developed on areas that are under constant friction like armpits, neck, thighs.
Boils on inner thighs are common occurrence. They are caused either due to swollen lymph nodes, ingrown hair, cysts or by trauma due to abnormal growth or lipoma.
Characteristic of inner thigh boil:
Inner thigh boil could be characterized as
Large/small (size)
Soft/firm (touch)
Symptoms accompanying a thigh boil are:
Tender, red skin
Warm skin near the bump,
Onset of a fever.
An inner thigh boil usually last for 2-4 days and then the symptoms subside. If the infection is more potent and strong then the symptoms lasts longer, as the duration of symptom increases the size of the bump also increases, this is the sign that you should seek medical attention.
Big painful boil on inner thigh:
Boils develop due to bacterial or fungal infection. Inner thighs are usually the part most affected by boils. Boils occur at the areas that are under friction, your thighs get rubbed against each other and they also tend to get sweaty during humid weather and summer time this encourages the growth of bacteria and eventually becoming a cause for development of boils.
Boils on inner thighs could be very painful if not treated with care.
Here are few remedies you can use to get relief from a painful boil also avoid development of a boil.
- Tea tree oil
This essential oil is rich in anti microbial properties. It also prevents the development of scars after the boil.
Requirements:
Tea tree oil
Coconut oil
Cotton swab
Directions:
Mix coconut oil and tea tree oil in a bowl.
Dip a clean cotton swab in this mixture and apply to the infected area. Avoid the uninfected area and dispose the swab immediately.
Use this 2-3 times a day and makesure to use a clean swab each time.
- Aloe Vera
An effective age old remedy for boils, aloevera is rich in antiseptic properties that helps in preventing development of any other infections in previously infected area and its pain relieving property help to speed up the healing process.
Requirements:
Aloevera gel (fresh/drugstore bought)
Directions:
Collect the gel from the leaf by snapping it in halves. Apply this gel to the infected area and let it rest there. Repeat this application few times a day.
You can also use drugstore brought aloe vera gel as an alternative.
- Honey and vinegar
Honey has emollient properties that help to soothe the skin and relief pain. Vinegar with its antimicrobial properties help to kill the bacteria from growing.
Requirements:
White vinegar
Honey
Lemon juice
Directions:
Mix all three ingredients and apply it to the boils. Leave it on for 30-40 minutes and then wipe it off with clean warm water.
Apply this mixture twice a day.
- Neem
With its antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties, neem helps in reducing the swelling at the infected area and also gives relief from pain.
Requirements:
Neem leaves
Medical gauze
Water
Directions:
Make a paste by crushing and grinding neem leaves with water.
Apply thin layer of this paste to the infected area and cover it with gauze. Change the dressing afterfew hours and use a clean gauze.
Repeat this until the boil heals completely.
- Garlic
Garlic juice has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory property making it perfect to be used for inner thigh boils.
Requirements:
2-3 garlic cloves
Directions:
Crush the cloves of garlic and extract their juice. Apply this extracted juice to the boil on your inner thigh and allow it to dry. Repeat this application at least twice a day.
- Onion
Just like garlic, onion has antimicrobial and bactericidal properties. It has antioxidants that helpto fasten the healing process.
Requirements:
Slices of onion
Surgical tape
Directions:
Keep the slice of onion on the infected area and secure it there using surgical tape.leave it this way for few hours. After few hours replace the older slice with a fresh one.
- Epsom salt
Warm water compress using Epsom salt helps to inhibit bacterial growth and warm water improves blood circulation which aids the boil to pop.
Requirements:
Epsom salt
Warm water
Clean wash cloth
Directions:
Dissolve Epsom salt in warm water and dip the wash cloth in it. Wring out the excess water and place this cloth on the infected area until it becomes of room temperature.
Do this as many times as possible.
You can also add Epsom salt to warm water in bath tub and soak in it.
- Apple cider vinegar
A well-known antibacterial and anti-microbial ingredient, apple cider vinegar helps to kill thebacteria that causes infection and also restores the pH levels.
Requirements:
Apple cider vinegar
Cotton pads
Directions:
Soak a cotton pad in apple cider vinegar and place it on the infected area. Makesure you squeeze out the excess ACV. Leave the pad on the infected area for 10minutes.
Repeat this as many times as possible and use a fresh cotton swab each time.
- Turmeric and ginger
The curcumin in turmeric has high potential antibiotic properties and ginger is rich in anti-inflammatory activities. When these two agents are used in a combination they aid in quick healing of the boil.
Requirements:
Turmeric powder
Crushed ginger root
Water/ coconut oil
Directions:
Mix turmeric and ginger root in water or coconut oil and make a paste. With clean hands apply this paste to infected area and let it dry.
Wash it off after 12-15minutes. Use this 2-3 times a day for quick relief.
- Potatoes
Several compounds have been identified in potatoes to hold anti microbial and antibiotic properties making it a suitable choice to use in treating a boil.
Requirements:
Raw potato
Cotton ball
Directions:
Squeeze out the potato juice by grating it.
Dip the cotton ball in this juice and apply it to the boil. let it rest for few minutes then rinse with clean water.
Repeat this 3-4 times.
How to get rid of a boil overnight?
Healing process of the boil depends on how strong the infection is. It is possible to get rid of boil over night if it is small and the infection is less, this is not possible incase of a big boil as it has pus filled in it which is a sign of increased infection.
Warm compress:
To treat a small boil overnight you can use warm water compress, the warmth from the compress attracts the WBCs and antibiotics to the site of infection thereby helping to soothe the pain and reduce the swelling of the boil.
Requirements:
Wash cloth/towel
Warm water
Directions:
Soak the wash cloth in warm water, wring out the excess water and keep this warm cloth over the affected area until the temperature of the cloth lowers to room temperature.
Repeat this as many times as possible.
Various home remedies can also help in improvising and increasing the healing process of small boils.
However, if the boil is big and painful you can use a painkiller and over the counter antibiotic ointments by consulting your pharmacist.
If the infection persist for more than 7days, it is better to seek medical attention and consult your physician as this may be a sign for any other disorder/infection or disease.
Your doctor will drain the boil by lancing and prescribe you a suitable antibiotic. To get precise diagnosis they may also test the pus.