The rain Gods have been kind this year. But the season brings its share of problems, including boils on the skin caused due to rain or dirty rain water. ROSHANI DEVI lists a few home remedies totackle this malady
If skin boils are a constant problem for you during monsoons, fret not; there are several home remedies that one can use to get rid of them instead of using chemical-laden creams or popping pills.
When we were little my mother would use a paste of onion or garlic juice on the boils. Apply this paste and leave it on for 1015 minutes. To begin with, it stings but the advantage is that it dries the boil within a few days. A word of caution — don’t try to peel of the dead skin or it will leave a mark.
Another cure is to use betel leaves (paan ka patta). Heat two-three betel leaves over a pan till they turn soft. Add a few drops of castor oil and place these leaves on the boil. This will rupture the boil. Clean the surface and apply an antiseptic cream.
Believe it or not turmeric is a cure for all the ails humanity. Take half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and make a thick paste using water. Apply it on the boil twice a day.
Most households have neem oil. The oil is known to have antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties that help treat skin infections — including boils.
Apply the oil directly to the boil three to four times a day. Make sure you wash your hands before and after application.