Boil

Description

Boils, also called furuncles, are a contagious and progressive bacterial infection which develop from the formation of a pustule within a hair follicle. They are considered to be abscesses on the skin, and deeper, which drain at the dermal surface. A group of boils which connect beneath the skin surface is called a carbuncle. Boils and carbuncles are commonly found on the face, neck, arms, buttocks, thighs, breast and auxiliary skin.

Treatments include gentle cleansing with soap and water, use of hot water compresses to promote vasodilation, topical antibiotics, drainage and systemic antibiotics. The boil should not be squeezed since rupturing within the skin can spread the infection. Relief of pain and healing are usually rapid after drainage.

Causes

Primary Factors
The primary cause of boils is infection of hair follicles by the microorganism Staphylococcus aureus.

Predisposing Factors
Infected wound elsewhere, poor personal hygiene, debilitation, exposure to chemicals, especially cutting oils; naturally oily skin, use of steroids, use of tar or occlusive therapy for skin lesions, sharing utensils, towels, clothes, etc. With an infected individual; clogged sweat glands, physical exhaustion, anemia, diabetes mellitus, and malnutrition. Irritating boils by any means will cause carbuncles.

Signs & Symptoms

Skin lesions	Weakness
Swelling	Erythema
Chills	Fever
Malaise	Bacteremia
Edema	Prostration
Painful nodules and itchiness (earliest symptoms)	Discharge of pus and dead tissue from skin opening

Nutritional Supplements

Structure & Function:
        Immune System Support &
        Hair, Skin and Nail Support

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General Supplements
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L-acidophilus*
Vitamin B-Complex	100 mg
Bioflavonoids*
Fiber*
Vitamin C	3,000 mg

*Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.

Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.

Dietary Considerations

Immune Strengthening Diet

Homeopathic Remedy

Boil - See also abscess

1.* Bellis perennis	15C
2.* Belladonna tinct.	30C
3. Hoang nan	3X
4.* Anthracinum	30C
5. Apis Mellifica	30C

Advanced, by symptom:

1. First forming, red, hot and painful	Belladonna tinct.
2. Pus has formed, sensitive to touch	Hepar sulphuris calcareum.
3. Slow to clear	Silicea tinct.

Treatment Schedule

Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.

Legend

X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.

References

Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.

Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.

Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.

Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.

Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.

Herbal Approaches

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Herbs
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Aloe vera	Arnica
Birch	Blue violet
Burdock root	Cudweed
Echinacea	Mullein
Pleurisy Root	Pau d'Arco

Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

References:

Hoffmann, D: The New Holistic Herbal. Element, 1983. Third edition 1990.

Aromatherapy - Essential Oils

Chamomile Essence,	Lavender Essence,
Lemon Essence,	Rose Essence,
Tea Tree Essence.

Carbuncle:

Cypress Essence,	Lavender Essence,
Thyme Essence.

Related Health Conditions

Abscess	Anemia
Carbuncles	Diabetes mellitus
Edema	Fever
Infection	Malnutrition
Sore	Wound

Abstracts

References

Beeson, P.B. & W. Mc Dermott. eds. 1975. Textbook Of Medicine. 14th ed. Saunders Pub. Co., Philadelphia. 1892 pp.

Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.

Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.

Chasroff, I.J. & J.W. Ellis. 1983. Family Medical Guide, William Morrow and Company Inc., pub. 594 pp.

Eiland G & Ridley D: Dermatological problems in the athlete. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 1996 Jun, 23:6, 388-402.

Hamilton, H. K. ed. 1982. Professional Guide To Diseases Intermed Communications Inc. pub, Springfield, Massachusetts. 1323 pp.

Levy R & Schlaeffer F: Successful treatment of a patient with recurrent furunculosis by vitamin C: improvement of clinical course and of impaired neutrophil functions. Int J Dermatol, 1993 Nov, 32:11, 832-4.

Lee N et al., A case of carbuncle caused by a catalase-negative strain of staphylococcus aureus. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 1996 Apr, 24:4, 221-3.

Levy R et al: Vitamin C for the treatment of recurrent furunculosis in patients with imparied neutrophil functions. J Infect Dis, 1996 Jun, 173:6, 1502-5.

Murray, M.T., & J.E. Pizzorno. 1991. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Rocklin, Ca; Prima Publishing.

Studer-Sachsenberg EM et al., Cellulitis after hip surgery: long-term follow-up of seven cases. Br J Dermatol, 1997 Jul, 137:1, 133-6.

Sutton PR: Does the daily ingestion of a small amount of 'raw' wheat cause boils to resolve? Med Hypotheses, 1995 Mar, 44:3, 194

Wyngaarden, J. B. & L. H. Smith. 1985. Cecil's Textbook of Medicine. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 2341 pp.