Home Remedies to Treat Boils Warm compresses should be used, and the body should be soaked in warm water. This will alleviate the discomfort and assist in drawing the pus to the surface. When the boil reaches a boil, it will rupture with repeated soakings. This generally happens within 10 days after the onset of the condition. However, this may take longer depending on the size of the boil and how deep it goes into the skin. Boils are caused by bacteria forming colonies in the oil or sweat glands. These bacteria produce toxins that cause inflammation and redness of the skin. The virus that causes chickenpox also can lead to boils. People usually get chickenpox when they're children, but adults can get it too. No one knows what causes chickenpox though; some people may be more likely to get it than others. The virus that causes chickenpox also can lead to shingles. Like its name suggests, someone who has had chickenpox will eventually get shingles. Most people get overshinngles without any help from medicine because their immune systems are still strong enough to fight it off. But for people who are immunocompromised—for example, due to cancer treatments or AIDS—the virus can live on in their nervous system where it can cause pain, paralysis, or blindness. People who have never had chickenpox cannot get shingles, but anyone can get booleans if they come in contact with the virus.