Boils & Abscesses

Boils and abscesses are localised skin infections that can cause pain, swelling and a build-up of pus. Within naturopathic practice, they are often looked at in a different or broader way, taking into account immune strength, diet and other factors, like how well the body is clearing waste products.

Although bacteria are involved, the way the body responds can vary depending on your general health, such as the health of the immune system and nutritional status, as well as high stress levels (which can reduce immune function).

Supporting the body’s response: Boils and abscesses involve infection, though the body’s response to them are influenced by health in more general terms. To explain this, nutritional therapy is used to support immune function and address any drivers of the condition and/ or contributing factors.

Supporting healing: Approaches focus on improving internal balance, supporting skin integrity and assisting recovery. The hope is that, over time, this may reduce the likelihood of repeated infections.

What is a boil?

A boil is a lump that forms under the skin when bacteria, most often Staphylococcus aureus, infect a hair follicle (1). It can be very painful as  the area becomes inflamed and fills with pus as the body responds to the infection.

What is an abscess?

Compared to a boil, an abscess is a larger collection of pus that can form in different parts of the body. It develops when the immune system attempts to contain an infection in one area to stop it from spreading further (2).

Build-up of waste and fluid movement

When the natural system the body uses to remove waste products from the body slows, the skin may become more involved in removing by-products, which can coincide with inflammatory skin conditions. This is the way in which boils/ abscesses are interpreted by naturopathic principles (3,4). 

The following points are actions that can be taken to help manage such effects:

Higher intake of sugar can affect how the immune system responds to infection (5). It may reduce the effectiveness of white blood cells and create conditions that allow bacteria to grow more easily. Therefore, lowering the intake of refined sugar comes recommended by nutritional therapists.

The body’s ability to manage infection is influenced by sleep, stress and nutrient intake. Lower levels of nutrients such as zinc and vitamin A may affect skin strength and immune defence (6,7).

As mentioned previously, dietary changes often focus on limiting refined sugars and processed foods, for example, as these may contribute to inflammation and support bacterial growth. 

Adequate fluid intake helps maintain circulation and supports the removal of waste products through the kidneys (8). This can assist the body during periods of inflammation and is also thought of as a preventative measure in terms of avoiding health issues such a s boils/ abscesses.

Foods such as rocket, dandelion greens and lemon are sometimes used to support digestion and liver function (9,10,11). These may assist the body in processing metabolic waste more efficiently. This suggestion is also thought of as a preventative measure.

Herbs such as burdock root and yellow dock are traditionally (and perhaps most famously) used to support skin health and liver function. 

Their use is based on supporting internal balance over time. There are also some herbs additional to this, which are thought to have similar properties. Here’s how they are thought to support the condition of boils/ abscesses.

• Burdock Root (Arctium lappa): Traditionally thought to cleanse the blood (based on traditional studies) and provides prebiotic inulin for gut health (12,13).
• Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus): Stimulates bile production and promotes healthy bowel elimination (14).
• Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): Traditionally used for chronic skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis by improving lymphatic circulation (15).
• Cleavers (Galium aparine): A prime lymphatic tonic that helps clear swollen glands and flush toxins via the urinary system (16).

Herbs such as echinacea and goldenseal may be used to support the body’s response to infection. These are usually included as part of a wider approach (17).

Warm poultices are traditionally used because the gentle, sustained heat dilates local blood vessels, and this is thought to increase oxygen delivery to the tissues. Poultices made from natural materials such as clay or slippery elm may be used to encourage the contents of a boil to move towards the surface, allowing it to drain. 

In traditional remedies, clay is often prepared by mixing the powder with water (or sometimes apple cider vinegar) into a thick paste, applied directly to the boil, and covered with gauze. The clay types used for this purpose may include French Green Clay (Illite), Bentonite Clay (Montmorillonite) or Kaolin clay. 

Note: Please do not apply to open skin or bleeding wounds. Clay should not be used on sensitive areas, and if a boil is large or accompanied by a fever, you should see a doctor. 

Once the area has opened, diluted oils such as tea tree or lavender may be applied around the skin due to their antiseptic properties. Please always use a carrier oil to dilute essential oils when applying them directly to the skin. Almond oil is a good example of this. Please do not apply to open skin or bleeding wounds (18). 

If a boil is accompanied by fever, increasing pain or spreading redness, immediate medical assessment is required. This is because signs such as red streaks extending from the area or swelling that continues to worsen may indicate that the infection is spreading (19).

Additionally, immediate attention is needed if the boil is located on the face, near the eyes or along the spine, due to the risk of deeper infection. In general, rapid enlargement, severe pain or feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms may indicate the need for urgent care.