My father in law has boils...should I be concerned?

Thank you for your responses. We received more bad news about him last night. He now has an MRSA infection. I guess it's a type of staph infection that is really hard to kill and can be fatal. Does anyone else have any tips or experience in dealing with this type of infection? How serious is it? Should we be looking for plane tickets to go see him?

Boils can be caused by stress, illness, toxicity, allergy, decreased immunity and thyroid imbalance. From your posting I was not able to assess your father in-law's condition. Is he suffering from an illness? is he stressed? Is he taking medications for this? Is it the first time he gets boils?

Here are some natural remedies he can try. Tea tree oil, which is the oil from the leaves of the Australian tea tree, may be used to directly treat the skin where the boil is located. Tea tree oil is a great antibacterial and germicidal agent. Boils are contagious. Do not let the draining pus get on the skin elsewhere! It is very important to avoid scratching, since this can cause the infection to spread. When it spreads to nearby areas, the result is called a "carbuncle". If anyone but a doctor is draining the boils, make sure to wear gloves to work around and on the infected area.

Garlic and Onions have also been proven to be among the most effective home remedy for boils treatment. Onion juice or garlic juice may be applied on boils externally to ripen them, break and evacuate the pus. Juices of both these vegetables can be mixed in equal quantities and applied on the boil for beneficial results.

There are many other natural remedies, but one worth trying also is a nice, hot Epsom salt bath which is shows great benefits in boil treatment. This should be used twice or thrice a week until boils persist and once in a week thereafter.

It is also very important to have him seek medical attention as the boils could be just a symptom of something more serious.

MissManagement-

Boils range in severity, but generally they are very treatable and you don't have to be concerned.

According to the Mayo Clinic, boils are painful pink or red bumps that fill with puss. They will grow until they rupture and drain. While boils can be treated at home, it is suggested that children and older adults, like you father in-law, receive medical attention.

Generally, a doctor will drain the boils and put the individual on antibiotics.

It is most important not to squeeze the boils. This can spread or cause additional infection. Additionally, make sure he is treated and taken care of because boils can lead to blood poisoning and MRSA (another serious infection).

Click here for additional information: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/boils-and-carbuncles/DS00466

Or here:
http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/boils.html

Or here:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001474.htm