Ointment for a boil
introduction
A boil can develop from an inflammation of the hair follicles, which is usually caused by bacteria. This is an encapsulated collection of pus. An inflammatory, painful nodule develops near the hair roots.
If a small boil occurs, the doctor usually first prescribes a boil ointment to treat it. If the boil is very large, however, it may also be necessary to cut it open.
The most commonly prescribed boil ointment is the pull ointment. They are available from different manufacturers with different trade names such as Ilon® Classic or Ichtholan® and are freely available so that they can also be bought without a prescription.
Which ointments do you get without a prescription?
There are numerous boil ointments that can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies.
All pull ointments, for example Ichtholan® ointment with ammonium bituminosulfonate or other ointments such as Betaisodona® ointment with povidone iodine or the predominantly herbal Ilon® ointment are popular ointments for boils that are available without a prescription. The antiseptic Bepanthen® ointment can also be applied to boils and can be found in every pharmacy.
Ichtholan®
Ichtholan® is a pulling ointment that has been used for many years to treat hair follicle inflammation and other infections in the nail bed and sweat glands. It contains the active ingredient ammonium bituminosulfonate.
It is available in different doses like 20 and 50%. Their mode of action is based on three different components that help fight inflammation faster. Ichtholan® is often referred to as a pull ointment because it helps the body to reduce inflammation. The ointment works by pushing the inflammation further towards the surface.
This allows the pus of the boil to drain faster and at the same time the painful pressure of the inflammation decreases. Once the boil's pus has been removed, the next step is for the body to fight the focus of inflammation more easily and the inflammation to heal faster.
The Ichtholan® ointment also has an anti-inflammatory effect. With regular treatment, by applying it to the affected skin area several times a day, it can counteract the typical signs of inflammation such as reddening, swelling and pain.
It also supports the body in fighting the bacteria in the area of inflammation. On the one hand, this relieves the immune system and, on the other hand, the inflammation heals faster and cannot spread any further. The ointment should be applied to the inflamed area and covered with a plaster or bandage. The bandage can be changed several times from day one or it can be left for a maximum of three days.
If the dressing is changed, new and clean dressing material should be used. Before applying the fresh ointment, the old ointment residues should also be removed, as they can contain bacteria. It can be used at the first sign of a boil and therefore also has a preventive effect. It can be obtained from the pharmacy, where more information on the use can be obtained.
Read more on the topic: Ichtholan®
Ilon® Ointment Classic
The Ilon® ointment classic is a product that can be used in many ways for skin inflammation. It consists mainly of herbal ingredients, has a blood circulation, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.
The Ilon® ointment is applied to the boil and thus specifically promotes the healing process of the skin. One advantage is that the ointment smells pleasantly of essential oils and soothes the skin quickly.
Application of the boil ointment
The ointment is usually applied to the inflamed area once a day. Depending on how severe the inflammation is, the ointment can be applied more than once a day. You should adhere to the doctor's prescription. The duration of the treatment varies, in general the ointment should be used until the inflammation has subsided.
If treatment of the boil with ointments does not lead to any improvement, surgical opening can also be considered. This allows the pus to drain away, the pain is relieved and the healing process is often faster.
Read more on the subject at: Operation of a boil
Side effects of boil ointments
Allergic reactions rarely occur. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed above, you should not use the ointment. Allergic reactions manifest themselves in redness, itching, swelling and burning.
If you are allergic, wash off the ointment immediately and consult a dermatologist.
Boils in the genital area
An abscess or boil can also occur in the genital area on the hair there and be very uncomfortable. Last but not least, a boil in the intimate area is associated with a lot of shame for many sufferers, which is why some patients do not see a doctor early enough.
The boil is usually very advanced by then. An encapsulated pus accumulation has already formed in the deeper skin layer. Inflammation in the genital area can have various causes. A certain predisposition can be responsible for the development of boils.
Regular shaving of pubic hair can also lead to inflammation of the hair follicles. Inflammation in the genital area can also be treated with the pulling ointment Ichtholan®. It can be applied thickly several times a day. When using it, care should be taken to ensure that the ointment is covered with a sterile plaster or gauze bandages and dense strips of plaster after application.
This allows the ointment to be absorbed into the skin very well.
The bandage should be changed regularly and the residual ointment should also be carefully removed. It is also important to ensure that the ointment should not be applied to the mucous membrane. You can harm this. If treatment with the Ichtholan® ointment is unsuccessful or if there is no improvement in the symptoms after a few days, the patient should consult a doctor and seek advice.
Read more on the topic: Sparkles in the genital area
Ingredients of boil ointment
Pull ointments contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial substances and are therefore well suited for treating small boils. The ingredients vary from ointment to ointment, they often contain the following substances:
- Chloroxzlenol
- Larch turpentine
- Thymol
- Shale oil
They are available in different concentrations, the less concentrated ointments are usually prescribed for the skin of the face (including boils on the lip), the higher concentrated ointments for deep abscesses.
Boil ointment with penicillin substances
If the boil is very large, if it threatens to develop into a carbuncle, or if it is in an unfavorable place, antibiotic ointments with penicillin substances can also be prescribed. The side effects are usually minor and are mostly limited to allergic reactions.
The boil ointment with penicillin is also applied to the boil and the surrounding area. It is usually advantageous to apply it with a cotton swab to keep the spread of germs as low as possible. The duration of the treatment with boils ointment is also here a few days or weeks and depends on the size of the boils.
The application does not differ from the application of the pull ointment. The amount of ointment applied depends on the preparation and should be determined by your doctor.
Which ointments can I use during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it is often difficult to find medications that are safe to use. Before trying new medications during pregnancy, you should discuss them with your gynecologist or family doctor. Train ointments, for example, are taboo.
The Betaisodona® ointment with povidone iodine can be used after consultation with the attending physician.
There are also no contraindications for the Ilon® ointment, so this ointment can be used in the event of a boil during pregnancy.
In principle, you can also use antiseptic ointments such as Bepanthen® or zinc ointment during pregnancy according to the instructions for use. If in doubt, ask your gynecologist or family doctor for advice or read the package insert.
