Heat

• Most abscesses can be treated at home and will go away with simple treatment with heat. Soak the boil in warm water for about 30 minutes or apply a heat compress to the area for three or four times per day. The heat will improve circulation and help fight the infection by increasing the white blood cells in the area. Usually when the infection clears, the boil will go away on its own.
  
  

Drainage

• If the boil does not go away on its own or becomes increasing painful, you should see your physician. Your physician will probably cut or lance the boil to allow it to drain. This should not be done at home on your own as you might sever a blood vessel, or it could cause the infection to spread. Most boils will drain on their own after they have been soaked, but many have several pockets of infection that will have to be drained before healing can occur.
  
  

Antibiotics

• You physician may prescribe antibiotics if the skin surrounding the abscess is infected or if the abscess is not healing on its own. Antibiotics are usually not needed because once the area is drained and the infection is allowed to come out, the area will not require antibiotics. Antibiotics also have a hard time penetrating the area of a abscess.