How to Treat a Heat Boil

Boils are small, painful, pus-filled lesions that are accompanied by redness and swelling. A heat boil occurs when a person sweats excessively. This sweat is filled with bacterium that clogs a pore, leading to the unwanted growth. The boils occur on healthy people and those suffering from a suppressed immune system, according to DermNet NZ.Treating a heat boil involves bringing the pus-filled sac to a head, then treating the area to prevent infection.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Washcloth
• Warm salt water
• Sterile gauze pad
• Antibacterial ointment
• Plastic adhesive bandage
• Over-the-counter pain medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water. This will help prevent spreading any further bacteria to the boil.

• 2

  Soak a washcloth in warm salt water. Wring out the washcloth until it is damp, not soaking wet.

• 3

  Lay the washcloth on the top of the boil and allow it to remain for 15 to 20 minutes.

• 4

  Repeat covering the boil with the moist washcloth every three to four hours until the boil comes to a head and ruptures.

• 5

  Wash the affected area with warm water and dab at it with a sterile gauze pad.

• 6

  Cover the boil with a layer of antibacterial ointment.

• 7

  Cover the boil with a plastic adhesive bandage.

• 8

  Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help soothe the pain associated with the boil. Take the medication according to the package directions.

• 9

  Remove the bandage and cover it with a fresh coat of antibiotic cream and a new bandage every two days.