Reviewed by Dr.Vijaykumar Kamat & written by Dr. Gauri Mane.

Yesterday you noticed a slight redness on your arm, but thought you had simply bumped it against something. Today, the red spot has turned into a painful, red, swollen lump that looks and feels awful. Chances are what you’re looking at is a boil.

A boil is a skin infection that starts in a hair follicle. There is redness and swelling of the affected part followed by pain and pus accumulation. Infection is caused by a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria enter the skin through tiny breaks in the skin or through hair follicles.

Boils normally run their course and wither out within a weeks’ time. But if an individual has a tendency to suppuration, it usually takes longer to heal and also needs intervention. It may need surgical drainage and short term treatment with antibiotics.

To avoid boils, one should maintain adequate hygiene and not share personal use items with anyone.

Herbal products of boils includes application of bee propolis cream or turmeric powder. Application of heat to the affected part hastens the activity within the boil and propels expulsion of the debris collected due to cell activity.

Herbal remedies not only from the boil but also ascertain that the skin returns to its normal texture and color.