Breast boils; painful and nerve-wracking. These are inflamed pustules that are especially noticed on the breast and under the breast. These are not dangerous nor are they life-threatening.
They are red, pus-filled, swollen pimple like bumps that appear under the skin of your breast. It can show up anywhere on your breast, but the most common part is the underside of your breast, an area that’s hot and humid.
Boil on Breast(1) is more severe and recurrent in diabetic patients. It could be a sign of an underlying health issue like diabetes, heart, skin allergy, and even fear and anxiety.
They tend to but very painful. These boils mostly appear during puberty, however, it is not uncommon to see them in women who are suffering from menopause.
However, it is also common during PMS and in older women. In this article, we shall tell you how to treat a boil on the breast at home naturally.
Causes
Boils are infected hair follicles that may occur in any part of your body, common areas include breasts, underarms, groin, hips and inner thighs. These boils appear when the sweat glands or hair follicles are plugged, which trigger inflammation, pain, and pus formation.
They can appear as singles or in clusters and the size range from a small pea to a golf ball. They often leave scars behind if not healed correctly.
Although boils are not a result of poor hygiene or obesity, it is common in those areas where heat builds up easily such as skin creases and therefore, unhygienic lifestyle and over-weight can worsen the infection.
Some of the common factors that trigger breast boils are;
- Hot and humid climate
- Hormonal imbalance due to puberty, periods, pregnancy and menopause
- Poor diet
- Ingrown hair
- Allergic reactions on the skin
- Improper use of cosmetics
- Tight clothing
- Smoking
- Using oral contraceptive
- Diabetes
- Weakened immune system
- Medication
- Shaving in the wrong direction
[ Read: Essential Oils for Boils ]
Symptoms
At its onset, you will see small red colored, almost pimple like bump on the skin. It will be not more than half an inch in size. In a few days, the boil will get bigger, painful and will develop a pus pocket.
In severe cases, the surrounding skin will also turn painful, with yellow pus oozing out from the center. The boil may produce itching, followed by swollen lymph nodes and fever.
The treatments mentioned here are for mild breast boils. For severe and recurring cases please visit your doctor for an antibiotic course as it could be a bacterial infection.
How to Treat Breast Boils at Home?
Breast boils can be treated at home. Here are some ways to tackle them effectively.
1. Warm Compress
A most common treatment for any boil is compressing it with a warm or hot cloth. This helps to reduce the inflammation and makes it easier to deal with the pain.
How to use?
- You can dip a clean cloth or cotton ball in warm salted water, squeeze the excess water and place it on the boil.
- Apply slight pressure for 15 minutes. Repeat this 3 -4 times a day.
2. Turmeric and Neem Paste
Turmeric is an excellent natural antiseptic and so is neem. Both are used to treat many skin infections. They also prevent scarring of the skin.
How to use?
- Grind turmeric and neem into a fine paste with some water.
- Apply the paste on the boil and leave it overnight.
- Wash off with warm water.
- Repeat this until the boil goes away.
3. Ginger and Sandalwood
Like turmeric, even ginger is a rich source of antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Sandalwood is known for skin nourishment. Ginger kills the germ and sandalwood reduces inflamed skin.
How to use?
- Make a paste of fresh ginger and sandalwood powder and mix them together
- Apply the paste 4 – 5 times a day.
4. Onion
Onion is an effective natural home remedy that cures cold and cough symptoms and acne and boils as well.
How to use?
- Grind onion and apply its paste on the bump.
- You can also place a slice of onion and secure it with a bandage for effective results.
- Do it every day until the boil goes away.
5. Garlic
Garlic(2) has several potent ailments curing properties. It is good for the heart, particularly. It can cure the boil quite quickly without leaving any scars behind.
How to use?
- Crush two to three garlic cloves and apply the paste on the boil.
- You can secure the paste with a band-aid.
- Wash with warm water.
- Repeat this 2 – 3 times a day.
6. Eggs
Eggs, especially the whites are known for treating boils naturally. Surprisingly it cures this skin infection perfectly and quickly.
How to use?
- Crack an egg and separate the white.
- Whip the whites until frothy.
- Apply this as a lotion on the boil and allow it to dry.
- Wash off the area with warm water.
- Repeat once or twice a day until symptoms go.
[Read: How to Treat a Boil]
7. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an herbal antiseptic and is used for curing skin infections and allergies.
How to use?
- Apply a drop of tea tree oil on the boil directly.
- Massage the area slightly to let the oil penetrate.
- Repeat this twice a day for maximum benefits.
8. Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek seeds are natural cooling agents. They also have antifungal and antibacterial properties. They cure boils by reducing the inflammation and killing the germs. They are also used for treating stomach ulcers and period cramps.
How to use?
- Soak fenugreek seeds for 4 hours or until soft.
- Make a paste out of it.
- Apply it on the boil twice every day.
[ Read: Health Benefits of Fenugreek Tea ]
9. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is widely used for treating skin problems including rashes and boils.
How to use?
- Fill your tub with warm water.
- Add 2 – 3 tsp of Epsom salt into it.
- Soak your body for a while before taking a shower.
Remember, it is advisable to wear loose clothes when you have a boil. Wash your hands before touching it and do not try to squeeze as it may spread infection. Exfoliate your skin to avoid sweat ducts blockage and practice good hygiene. If you experience discomfort in spite of trying the above methods, it is recommended to visit a doctor at the earliest.
FAQs
1. Can boils on breast be cancerous?
Boils aren’t a sign of breast cancer, neither do they increase the chances/risk of having breast cancer. Hence, it is recommended that you don’t feel scared about this. However, it is to be noted, that if someone in your family has or had cancer of the breast, it is better you get it checked up.
2. Are boils dangerous?
No, they aren’t dangerous, they pose no threat to the body and don’t have any serious health implications. However, there are chances of them being severely painful.
3. When should I be worried about a boil?
You should be worried when and if the boil is on the face, near the spine or anus, it is getting larger and it is hurting, or when you have a fever
4. Can a breast abscess go away on its own?
Yes, they do heal on their own, however, that could take a few days or even weeks.
