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Diet Essentials for Treating Boils

Standard Treatment for Boils

Boils - those oversized pimples that hurt like blazes and cause no end of distress. There are myriad causes for boils, from bacteria that are sloughed back under the skin, to illnesses that compromise the immune system. Whatever the cause, medical treatment is generally consistent. Once the boil has localized close to the skin surface, the doctor will perform an incision and draining (I & D) then an antibiotic cream such as Betadine or bacitracin is usually prescribed. Sometimes an oral antibiotic is recommended as well, and when the results of the culture taken from the boil are known, it is possible the oral antibiotics will change. If the boils are recurring, and the culture indicates a staph infection, people who have been in contact with the infected person and could possibly be infected are also treated.

Creating a Solid Fighting Force

The primary focus of boil treatment that has staying power lies in the building up of the immune system. There are three main nutrients associated with increasing immunity and raising resistance to infection and they are Zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E. Increasing these nutrients can be done by taking supplements or by eating foods that are high in each of them. Research has shown that getting your nutrition from the foods you eat is better than taking them in pill form.

Getting Nutrients From Your Food

In order to raise the level of zinc in your body, add more of the following foods to your diet. Oysters, although expensive, are very rich in zinc. Lean steak, pork loin, wheat germ, brewer's year, pumpkin seeds, and eggs are all excellent sources of zinc. Incorporating them into the diet has profound benefit. You can add extra vitamin C to your diet and thereby increase your resistance to infection by eating more citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, and blueberries. Vitamin E comes through foods like wheat germ, soybeans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and eggs. Vitamin A is confirmed to be a key nutrient in increasing immunity and fighting boils. Extra carrots are the primary source for vitamin A enhancement - beside their antioxidant effects. Selenium improves immunity by boosting the effectiveness of vitamin E. A half dozen Brazil nuts will satisfy this requirement. Along with including all of these foods into your diet, avoid sweets and greasy, fried foods, and be sure you are eating a lot of dark-green vegetables. By keeping the diet simple and clean you are doing a lot to enhance your immunity.

Taking Supplements to Get Nutrients

Along with dietary changes, you can also include nutritional supplements that are known to help with boil issues. Bromelain, an enzyme that is found in pineapple, is an excellent anti-inflammatory. 300 milligrams a day is the recommended dose to be taken until the boil has healed. Vitamin A and beta-carotene, while both highly available in food, are effective when taken as supplements. Take 5,000IU of vitamin A and 15,000IU of beta-carotene twice a day for a week or until the boil heals. (If you are pregnant, vitamin A in high doses is not recommended. See your doctor before taking supplementation). Vitamin C and bioflavonoids not only boost the immune system, but they also have mild anti-inflammatory properties. Take 1,000mg of vitamin C three times a day and 500mg of bioflavonoids twice a day for one week or until the boil is healed. Zinc is a great support for the immune system and helps to heal the skin tissue. Take 15 mg twice a day for a week (with food because it tends to upset the tummy), or until the boil is healed.

A Strong Immune System Is The Best Defense

When the immune system is strengthened, the incidence of boils is reduced significantly. A healthy diet that includes anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory foods is an excellent way to boost the immune system and built the body in order to resist infections.