Should you pop a skin boil?

It is not advisable to pop a skin boil with a needle, as this make an infection worse, according to WebMD. Normally, a boil is treated at home by applying warm compresses, which causes the boil to come to a head and drain on its own.

Using a warm compress eases the pain associated with the boil and helps draw the pus under the skin to the surface, states WebMD. This process may take up to 10 days and can occur without the use of warm compresses, although compresses may speed up the process. As the boil begins to drain, it is important to wash the area with antibacterial soap. The area should be cleaned with rubbing alcohol when all of the pus is gone.