Have you ever been told to put a heating pad on a boil but wondered if it would help or just make it worse? Whether your boil is from hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) or something else, it’s smart to make sure any treatment you try will help you heal.

Here’s what you should know before reaching for a heating pad.

Why Does Applying Heat Help a Boil?

When you have a boil, also called a furuncle, you have a bacterial infection in a hair follicle. This infection is usually caused by staph, a common type of bacteria that can infect the skin. These pus-filled lumps are a type of skin abscess, which means they’re pockets of pus under the skin. They can be painful and swollen.

Over time, the center of the boil fills with pus, like a large pimple. The area often looks lighter than the rest of the boil. This is called “coming to a head” and usually means the boil is ready to drain.

Heat can bring the pus to the surface of your skin and help a boil come to a head. It can also help the boil open and drain, and it may reduce swelling from HS lesions. However, heat doesn’t work right away, and it can take up to a week for the boil to drain.

Is a Heating Pad the Best Way To Apply Heat to a Boil?

Some researchers and healthcare providers recommend using heating pads for boils. You’ll want to make sure that your heating pad is waterproof. Place a damp towel between it and the boil so you can get the benefits of both heat and moisture.

Another approach is to apply a heating pad for 10 to 15 minutes, then switch to a cold pack immediately, which may help reduce swelling.

Some members of myHSteam use heating pads to help treat their boils. One said, “Having flare-ups in places that I never have had, using a heating pad currently to ease some pain.”

Another shared, “Sometimes, I even use a heating pad for my underarm flares.”

Why Compresses May Be a Better Choice

If you have HS, a warm compress may be a better alternative to a heating pad. Skin affected by HS may not be as sensitive to heat as the rest of your skin. This can make it easier to burn yourself if you use a heating pad because you might not realize your skin is burning until it’s too late.

To make a compress, soak a clean washcloth in hot water, then squeeze out the moisture until it’s damp. Gently press the warm compress against your skin for 10 minutes, a few times a day. Repeat as needed to help bring the boil to a head and ease discomfort.

You can also make a black tea compress. Just brew a cup of black tea, pour it over the washcloth instead of plain water, squeeze out the extra liquid, and place the compress on your boil.

Ask Your Doctor for Advice

If you want to use a heating pad on a boil, talk to a healthcare provider, like a dermatologist, first — especially if you’re living with HS. They may have other methods of applying heat that they want you to try instead.

If you need help with pain or want other home remedies for HS symptoms like boils and abscesses, talk to your dermatology team. They should be able to offer medical advice and treatment options for those, too.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHSteam, the social network for people with hidradenitis suppurativa and their loved ones, more than 46,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with HS.

Have you used heat to help bring a boil to a head? What method worked best for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.