Boils on the inner thigh are not common, but if you belong to the fraction of the population that has them, my sympathies are with you! These boils can be painful and irritating, and make daily activities seem like an uphill task. They are formed because of an inflammation of the hair follicles under the skin due to bacterial infection. Any damaged skin area, due to scraping, shaving or scratching, can be susceptible to the formation of boils, especially the sensitive areas of the inner thighs. They are also called as furuncles (1). These ugly boils are itchy and are also known to release pus.
But don’t worry. Here are some easy-to-administer home remedies that you can use to rid your body of these pesky boils.
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How To Get Rid Of Boils On The Inner Thighs
- Tea Tree Oil
- Turmeric
- Epsom Salt
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Garlic
- Onion
- Aloe Vera
- Toothpaste
- Vinegar
- Black Seed Oil
- Echinacea
- Neem
- Potatoes
Here Are The Top 10 Home Remedies For Boils
1. Tea Tree Oil For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- Tea tree oil
- Cotton swab
What You Have To Do
- Dip the cotton swab in the tea tree oil and apply on the boil.
- Make sure the used cotton swab doesn’t touch any uninfected part of the body and dispose it.
How Often You Should Do This
Reapply a few times during the day using a fresh cotton swab every time.
Why This Works
The antimicrobial activity of tea tree oil will kill the bacteria causing the infection in the hair follicle, thus getting rid of the boil easily and quickly. This essential oil also aids in reducing the scar that the boil might leave behind (2).
2. Turmeric For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 tablespoon crushed ginger root
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Mix the turmeric powder and crushed ginger with water to form a paste.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and apply this paste with your fingers on the infected area. Let it dry.
- Wash the area after about 15 minutes.
You can also use coconut oil instead of water to make the paste.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice or thrice a day for quick relief.
Why This Works
Turmeric behaves like a catalyst for healing boils. Its antiseptic nature will clear the infection and its healing properties will accelerate the rejuvenation of the skin at the affected area (3). Ginger also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and will aid the turmeric in healing the boil (4).
[ Read: Ayurvedic Treatment For Boils ]
3. Epsom Salt For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
• 2 tablespoons Epsom salt
• A bowl of hot water
• Soft cloth
What You Have To Do
- Add the Epsom salt to the hot water and mix it well.
- Soak the cloth in this water. Wring out the excess water and place the cloth on the affected area.
- Leave it until the cloth comes down to room temperature.
Fill a bathtub with warm water and mix a cup of Epsom salt in it. Soak in it for a relaxing experience.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this several times during the day.
Why This Works
Warm water is relaxing and great for sore thighs. It also aids blood circulation and helps the boils to erupt (1). The Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) will draw out all the moisture from the area and kill the bacteria because of dehydration (5). After applying the compress, make sure to keep the area clean and dry.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- Apple cider vinegar
- Cotton pad
What You Have To Do
- Soak the cotton pad in the ACV, squeeze out the excess, and place it on the boil.
- Leave it on for about 10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this a couple of times during the day. Use a fresh cotton pad every time.
Why This Works
Apple cider vinegar is a well-known antimicrobial agent. It efficiently kills the bacteria and restores the pH level of the skin (6).
[ Read: Apple Cider Vinegar For Health ]
5. Garlic For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
2-3 garlic cloves
What You Have To Do
- Crush the garlic and squeeze it to extract the juice.
- Apply this on the boil on your inner thigh and let it dry.
- Do not rinse it off. Let the garlic juice work on the boil.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this twice a day.
Why This Works
Garlic juice has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Its sulfur-rich compounds are responsible for these properties (7).
6. Onion For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- Onion slices
- Surgical tape
What You Have To Do
- Place the onion slice on the affected area and secure it in place with the surgical tape.
- Leave it on for a few hours.
How Often You Should Do This
Replace the slice with a fresh one every few hours.
Why This Works
Like garlic, onion also has sulfur-containing compounds with antimicrobial properties (8). It also contains flavonoids and antioxidants that heal and protect the skin (9).
7. Aloe Vera For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
Aloe vera gel
What You Have To Do
- Snap a leaf in half and collect the sap.
- Apply aloe gel on those painful bumps and watch the boils heal in the span of a few days.
Alternatively, you can also use aloe gel bought at a drugstore on the boils.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice or thrice a day.
Why This Works
Aloe vera, a magic plant that seems to heal everything dermatologically related, is another effective home remedy for boils. It gives relief from pain and quickens the healing process. It is also an antiseptic (10).
8. Toothpaste For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
Toothpaste
What You Have To Do
- Spread toothpaste on the boil and leave it on.
- Clean and reapply every few hours.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this for a day. The boil should ideally burst within a day. It will eventually heal in the days to follow.
Why This Works
We all know how toothpaste is the first item we pick up when we want to get rid of an annoying pimple. Well, the very same toothpaste can also be used to get rid of boils. Like in the case of pimples, toothpaste absorbs moisture from the boil-affected area and makes it burst faster (11).
9. Vinegar For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Mix the ingredients and apply the mixture on the boils.
- Wait about 30 to 40 minutes after application and wash with warm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this paste twice a day for optimum results.
Why This Works
This is a wonderful remedy for boils. Vinegar works as an astringent and antimicrobial agent (6). Lemon juice and honey possess antimicrobial properties. Honey also acts as an emollient and soothes the skin (12, 13).
10. Black Seed Oil For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1/2 teaspoon black seed oil
- A cup of hot or cold beverage
What You Have To Do
Just add the oil to the beverage and drink it. Fruit juices or green tea are the best options for the beverage.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this twice a day.
Why This Works
Derived from the Nigella sativa plant, this oil is widely used in the Middle East and South Asia to treat a wide range of health, skin, and hair problems. Its extensive pharmacological applications include antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which are useful in treating the boils (14).
11. Echinacea For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1-2 tablespoons echinacea herb
- A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
- Add the echinacea to the cup of water and let the herb steep for a few minutes.
- Strain and drink this herbal tea.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink two to three cups in a day.
Why This Works
The herb echinacea is known for its immunity-boosting properties, which enhance the body’s response to different infections (15). As a boil is basically an infection, drinking echinacea tea will aid the body in fighting it and eliminating the harmful bacteria from the body.
12. Neem For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- A handful of fresh neem leaves
- Water
- Gauze or bandage
What You Have To Do
- Crush and grind the leaves with water to get a smooth paste.
- Apply a layer of this on the boil and cover with the gauze.
- Change the dressing after a couple of hours using a fresh piece of gauze.
How Often You Should Do This
Continue doing this until the boil heals.
Why This Works
Neem is also known as the Indian Lilac, and its antimicrobial properties are nothing new to us (16). It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which will help reduce the swelling and associated pain present at the boil site (17).
13. Potatoes For Boils
Image: Shutterstock
You Will Need
- 1 small raw potato
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Peel and grate the potato. Squeeze out the juice from this.
- Soak the cotton ball in the potato juice and apply liberally on the boil.
- Let the boil be covered in the potato juice for a few minutes. Rinse with clean water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this three to four times in a day.
Why This Works
This simple ingredient can be found in every kitchen around the world. Scientists have identified several compounds in potato tubers that act as antibiotics and antimicrobial agents (18).
Along with the home remedies, drinking about eight glasses of water in a day. This helps your body’s blood circulation, and the infection of the hair follicles will be reduced. This infection can be caused mainly due to two reasons. Keep reading to know how and why these boils are formed.
[ Read: How To Keep Skin Hydrated ]
What Can Cause Boils On The Inner Thighs?
Most humans generally carry the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus on their skin surface, without it causing any issues. But, when there is tiny cut or scrape on the skin, this bacteria has access to the hair follicles. It settles down and starts multiplying in the hair follicle, causing infection, and hence, the boil. At times, a boil can also be caused due to a fungal infection (1).
Boils on the inner thighs can make your everyday life hell. But they can be cured easily enough with natural and simple home remedies. However, it is always better to see a doctor if the boils become worse. Remember, better safe than sorry!
Watch This Video – Natural Way To Get Rid Of Boils
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