Using Vicks VapoRub to Treat Painful Boils at Home

Treating Boils With Vicks VapoRub

Boils are painful, pus-filled bumps that develop under the skin. They are caused by a bacterial infection of a hair follicle or oil gland. Some home remedies, like Vicks VapoRub, may help boils heal faster and relieve discomfort. This article explores using Vicks on boils as a home treatment option.

What Are Boils?

Boils, also called skin abscesses, form when bacteria get trapped in a hair follicle or oil gland. This causes inflammation and pus accumulation under the skin. The most common cause is strains of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Boils can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the face, neck, underarms, buttocks, and upper thighs.

Early signs of a boil include:

• A painful, red bump under the skin
• Skin warmth, swelling, and tenderness in the area
• A hard, pea-sized lump that grows larger

Within 4-7 days the lump fills with pus, growing softer and more painful. It may rupture and drain pus on its own or need to be surgically drained. Proper treatment can help boils heal faster.

Using Vicks On Boils

Vicks VapoRub is an over-the-counter topical cough and cold remedy. It contains medicinal ingredients like camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol that may provide pain relief and have antimicrobial effects against certain bacteria. Heres how Vicks may help treat boils at home:

Reducing Swelling & Inflammation

The eucalyptus oil and menthol in Vicks have anti-inflammatory properties that may decrease swelling, redness, and tenderness around a boil. This can also aid healing and provide pain relief.

Relieving Discomfort

When applied to the skin, menthol triggers cold-sensitive nerves. This creates a cooling sensation that temporarily relieves pain. The camphor also acts as a mild numbing agent to ease discomfort.

Speeding Up Drainage

Dabbing Vicks onto an mature, ready-to-drain boil may help bring it to a head faster. The odor-producing thymol interacts with the connective tissue around the boil, which promotes opening and drainage.

Preventing Bacterial Spread

Some small studies indicate Vicks active ingredients, like 1,8-cineole, exhibit antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria. This may help suppress bacterial growth and prevent infection spread. However more research is still needed.

How To Use Vicks For Boils

Here is a simple at-home method to try treating boils with Vicks:

1. Clean the area around the boil daily with antibacterial soap and warm water. Be gentle and dont try to pop or drain the boil.
2. Gently pat your skin dry then apply a small dab of Vicks over the boil using a cotton swab.
3. Spread some on the surrounding skin as well, but avoid getting Vicks into open wounds or broken skin.
4. Cover with a bandage or gauze pad before putting clothing over the area.
5. Reapply 2-3 times per day, ideally after cleaning the area.
6. Watch closely for signs the boil is beginning to drain like yellow or white tip visible at the surface. You may notice less swelling and pain when its ready to release pus.

For large, painful boils, placing a warm compress like a heated rice bag over the Vicks for 10-15 minutes can enhance absorption. This helps the active ingredients penetrate deeper to reduce inflammation and discomfort faster.

Precautions When Using Vicks On Boils

While generally safe, keep these risks and warnings in mind before using Vicks as a home remedy for boils:

• Do not apply to open wounds or broken skin. The ingredients may sting damaged skin.
• Avoid contact with eyes and other mucous membranes.
• Discontinue use if skin irritation or rash develops.
• Not suitable for children under two years old.
• See your doctor if symptoms worsen or fail to improve within 1-2 days.
• Get emergency care for signs of systemic infection like fever over 101F (38C), dizziness, or difficulty breathing.

When To See A Doctor

In most cases home treatment will help solitary boils heal. But seek medical care if you experience:

• Multiple boils appearing at once.
• Boils that last over 2 weeks.
• Infection spreading into surrounding tissue.
• Flu-like fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue.
• Boils on the face, spine, or other sensitive areas.

These may indicate a deeper staph skin infection requiring antibiotics or surgical drainage. Your doctor can also test for underlying causes like diabetes or immune disorders.

Combining Vicks With Other Home Remedies

You can pair Vicks with other at-home treatments for enhanced boil relief. Effective complementary options include:

Warm Compresses

Applying a warm, moist compress over the Vicks softens the boil and boosts circulation to speed up healing from the inside. Use a clean washcloth soaked in hot water and wring out excess moisture before gently holding over the boil for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times daily.

Black Tea Bags

Tannins in black tea can help draw pus out of a mature boil. First apply Vicks to help bring the boil to a head. Then do a warm compress followed by a moist tea bag pressed onto the boil for 15 minutes. The tannins help pull out infection so the boil opens and drains faster.

Turmeric & Honey Paste

This combo makes an antimicrobial paste that reduces boil swelling and pain. Mix 1 teaspoon turmeric powder with 1 tablespoon raw honey. Apply it over the Vicks ointment for added antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.

When Are Boils Contagious?

Staph bacteria live harmlessly on many peoples skin and inside nostrils. But boils form when strains like MRSA overgrow in hair follicles and pores. Close skin contact with someone with an active boil can spread infection. Draining boils also release contagious fluid onto skin and clothing.

To avoid transmitting boils:

• Keep draining boils covered with clean bandages.
• Carefully dispose of used bandages and infection fluids.
• Avoid close contact until boils are fully healed.
• Wash hands, bedding, and clothing regularly.
• Dont share personal care items like towels and razors.

Household members should take preventative steps like daily washing with antibacterial soap and using an antiseptic body wipe after contact with an infected persons skin or belongings.

How Long Are Boils Contagious?

You can transmit staph bacteria as long as you have an open, draining lesion. Boils in the draining and healing stages are most contagious. Bacteria levels typically drop after starting antibiotic treatment. But full precautions should continue for 48 hours after all wounds have closed.

When Are Boils No Longer Contagious?

The contagious period often lasts 1-2 weeks but varies case-by-case. Stop isolation measures only after:

• Active boils have healed completely and stopped oozing fluid.
• Scabs have fallen off draining sites.
• No new skin lesions have appeared for 48 hours.
• Any antibiotic treatment is completed.
• Two negative culture tests for MRSA at least one week apart.

When a boil infection clears fully, the risk of contagion drops substantially. But some dormant staph bacteria may linger on your skin or in nostrils even after boils heal. Proper hygiene helps prevent recurring infection and spread.

Preventing Future Boils

Boils often recur in people prone to staph skin infections. After a boil heals, continue washing regularly with antibacterial soap and using disinfecting body wipes. Other prevention tips include:

• Avoid shaving over healed boil sites.
• Use fresh razors and dont share personal care items.
• Disinfect sink edges, countertops, towels, and bedding frequently.
• Avoid contact sports and tight clothing until infection clears.
• Clean sweat off skin and athletic equipment after workouts.
• Shower immediately after public hot tubs or swimming.
• Dont pick scabs or pop boils as they heal.

Talk to your doctor about using antibacterial body wash daily or taking preventive antibiotics if you experience frequent, recurrent boils.

When to Seek Medical Treatment

While mild boils may clear with home treatment, its crucial to have a doctor evaluate any of the following:

• Severe pain, swelling, redness, or warmth extending past the boil.
• Fever over 101F, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes.
• Multiple boils appearing in various places.
• Boils on the face, spine, breasts, groin, or other sensitive areas.
• Immune disorders like diabetes or taking immunosuppressant drugs.
• Oozing boils that bleed easily or wont close and heal.
• Signs of infection spreading into deeper tissues or the bloodstream.

Skin infections require careful monitoring, lab testing, and possibly lancing, antibiotics, or surgery if they turn severe. Rapid treatment helps prevent wider infection or dangerous complications like sepsis or meningitis.

Bottom Line

Dabbing on some Vicks VapoRub may help treat a mild boil at home faster. Its medicinal oils fight bacteria, ease swelling and discomfort, and help speed up drainage of pus.

For safe boil healing, combine Vicks with frequent cleaning plus warm compresses. But immediately contact your doctor if you experience multiple boils, fever, or signs the infection worsening or spreading.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.