A boil should burst and heal on its own, without the need for a doctor's intervention. However, if your boil persists for more than two weeks without popping, you should consult a doctor. You have a boil and flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or general malaise. Your physician will be able to diagnose which kind of bacteria is causing the problem and select an appropriate treatment plan. Go to the doctor if you feel like you are going to suffer from pain or if the boil is becoming inflamed or swollen. In these cases, you need to get it checked out by a dermatologist or surgeon. Boils can become infected if not treated properly. If you wait too long to see the doctor, you could end up with a chronic boil that needs to be removed. You should try to treat your own boils at home. This way, you will know how they will respond to different remedies and allow yourself enough time with no symptoms before deciding whether to keep applying the cream or visit your doctor for advice. For example, some people claim that baking soda applied twice a day for one week is effective in clearing up a boil. However, this may not work for everyone so it's best to check with your doctor first before trying anything new. If you do decide to go to the doctor, there are several factors that could influence what type of care you receive.