TREATMENT OF BOILS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 96, 24 April 1945, Page 2

TREATMENT OF BOILS

(By the Department of Health) Boils come from a common germ that lives everywhere, including on our skins. Should we get below par, or not wash enough, we let the germ multiply on our skin. Some germs got rubbed in around a hair follicle. Up comes a crop of pustules or a single hard boil. Common sites are the buttocks, under the arms, the back of the neck, or the scalp. Friction helps to rub the germs into these favourite spots. If the boil is some days old before you treat it simple fomentations arc indicated. But, be careful not to allow the pus to drain on to the surrounding skin or a crop of little boils will result. Wipe the surrounding skin every now and then with an antiseptic solution. Don't go squeezing a boil to get the core out the less handling the belter. And this gives the cue to the best treatment As soon as you realise you're getting a boil, paint it ’• methylated spirits, and as soon as dry cover it with (4; sloplast or zinc plaster. Cut a circular piece a little bigger than the boil u ually about halfpenny size—and stretch it t > cover Ihe boil. Next a bigger circle of planter say penny size is pul on over the top of the first. If the boil discharges cut a small hole in Ih< centre of the first plaster and change' as soiled. If there's no discharge, leave the pla.-ter on for ID days oi more. T' .> pain Is eased and the boil gels bet lei. For reemrent crops of boils, visit a coHo\. k him to have a vaedno made from your boil. This slops them. Take exlia \ itamin B - such as veast daily and feature dairy products, lixnr. green and yellow vegetables, an.l dairy fruits in your diet.