Other names for Abscesses

Boils
Furuncles
Skin abscess
Carbuncles
Pus-filled sores

Synopsis of Abscesses

An abscess is a confined pocket of pus that collects in tissues, organs, or spaces within the body as a result of infection. It forms when the immune system tries to wall off bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens, leading to localized inflammation, swelling, warmth, pain, and pus accumulation. Abscesses can occur on the skin's surface (cutaneous abscess) or internally, affecting organs like the liver, lungs, or brain. Most superficial abscesses resolve with proper drainage and care, but deeper abscesses may require medical treatment.

Types:

• Cutaneous (skin) abscesses: Most common, occur near the skin's surface, often from infected hair follicles or blocked sweat glands.

• Internal abscesses: Found deeper in the body (e.g., liver, lungs, brain, peritoneal cavity); these are more serious and may present with systemic symptoms.

• Dental abscesses: Occur at the root of a tooth or between the gum and tooth due to bacterial infection.

• Perianal abscesses: Near the rectum, often resulting from blocked anal glands.

Common Causes:

• Bacterial infection: The most frequent cause, especially Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA strains.

• Infected hair follicles (folliculitis): Can progress to boils or abscesses if not treated early.

• Blocked sebaceous glands or sweat glands: Lead to localized infection and pus formation.

• Trauma to the skin: Cuts, scrapes, or punctures allow bacteria to enter.

• Weakened immune system: Conditions like diabetes, HIV, or chemotherapy treatment make abscess formation more likely.

• Poor hygiene: Increases the risk of skin infections leading to abscesses.

• Dental decay: Leads to bacterial infections in the gums or tooth root (dental abscesses).

• Post-surgical infections: Can lead to abscess formation at or near surgical sites.

More Severe Causes (Complications):

• Spread of infection (cellulitis): Infection can extend into surrounding tissues.

• Sepsis: When the infection spreads into the bloodstream, it can cause life-threatening systemic inflammation.

• Fistula formation: Abnormal connection between an abscess and another body structure (commonly in perianal abscesses).

• Recurrent abscesses: Especially in individuals with underlying health conditions like diabetes.

When to See a Doctor:

• Abscess is large, painful, or continues to grow

• Redness spreads beyond the abscess (sign of cellulitis)

• Fever or chills accompany the abscess

• Abscess is located near sensitive areas (face, groin, rectum, spine)

• Recurrent abscesses occur

• Abscess does not drain on its own within a few days

Natural remedies for Abscesses

Warm Compresses: Applying a warm compress helps increase blood flow, encouraging the abscess to come to a head and drain naturally. Use 20-minute sessions, 3–4 times daily.

Tea Tree Oil (Diluted): Tea tree oil is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, helping reduce infection and swelling. Apply diluted oil (with a carrier like coconut oil) to the abscess area 1–2 times daily.

Turmeric Paste: Turmeric’s curcumin offers antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Mix turmeric powder with water or coconut oil to make a paste and apply to the abscess area.

Epsom Salt Soak: Epsom salts draw out toxins and reduce swelling. Add Epsom salt to warm water and soak the affected area (if feasible) for 15–20 minutes daily.

Garlic Compress: Garlic contains allicin, a compound with strong antimicrobial properties. Crush fresh garlic cloves, wrap in gauze, and apply briefly to the abscess (avoid prolonged skin contact to prevent irritation).

Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera soothes inflammation and supports skin healing. Apply directly to the abscess area 2–3 times daily.

Honey Dressing: Raw honey provides antibacterial action and promotes healing. Apply a small amount under a bandage and change daily.

Castor Oil: Known for its anti-inflammatory and drawing properties. Apply castor oil and cover with a warm compress to help bring the abscess to a head.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Abscesses

Activated charcoal
Aloe vera
amylase
bayberry
berberine
bergamot
black walnut
bromelain
burdock
chamomile
chymotrypsin
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
echinacea purpurea
endo-peptidase
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
green tea
lavender
licorice root
magnesium
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
milk thistle
oregano
plantain
polypeptide complex (proprietary)
protease
protein
purified silver
scrophularia root
trypsin
vitamin A
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
zinc
bentonite
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
shen-chu
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
punarnava
paederia foetida
blackboard tree
privet
boxthorne
pau d'arco
myrrh
siler root
amber
trichosanthes
sheep's sorrel
assam indigo
eucalyptus
stillingia
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
paw paw
white oak
melaleuca alternifolia
indigo leaves
geranium
arnica
red root
Ash
Asclepias cordifolia
Amber
Abies alba
Animal Tissue
Aerva Lanta
Alpine Lily
Aquilegia viridiflora
Arisaema erubescens
Artemisia Herba-Alba
Amylase
Ardisia
Acacia
Agave
Allicin
Antirrhinum majus
Aminopeptidase
Achyranthes
Anamu
Arisaema amurense
Abrus
Alchornea
Asoka Tree
Aucubin
Artemisia
Andrographis paniculata
Andrographolide
Amber resin
Arisaema cum bile
Annatto Oil
Agave (mixed)
Allium (unspecified)
American Liverleaf
Aquilegia formosa
Allantoin
Aucubin
Abutua
Andrographis
Alkanet
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
African Basil
Alchornea floribunda
Asteracea
Acemannan
Amylase (mixed amylase)
Avian (unspecified)
Asian Plantain
Ant
Abuta
Alkanna
Aloe macroclada
American Bittersweet
Amor seco
Arisaema
Artemisia (unspecified)
Ash (unspecified)
Assam Indigo
Aster (unspecified)
Atlantic Cedar
Alantolactone
Bee Propolis
Bentonite
Bergenia Pacumbis
Bai Ji
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Buckthorn Plantain
Black-Eyed Susan
Balsam
Bromelain
Bayberry
Burdock
Butea monosperma
Balsam Poplar
Barleria
Blackboard tree
Brazilian peppertree
Bee hive
Bloodroot
Boerhavia diffussa
Buckhorn Plantain
Bindweed
Birch (unspecified)
Boswellia
Balsam (unspecified)
Banyan
Bletilla
Boxwood
Bur-Reed
Benzoin siam
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Blend (combination)
Boneset
Birch polypore
blend (herb/botanical)
Black root
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
Coconut
Cleavers
Calendula
Croton seeds
Copaiba balsam
Calotropis gigantea
Caper spurge
Colloidal Silver
Castor oil derivative (unspecified)
Calcium Ascorbate
Common Plantain
Capillary Artemisia
Cinquefoil
Cymbidium goeringii
Curcuma aromatica
Chinese Mallow
Commiphora gileadensis
Cabbage Rose
California Goldenrod
Chinese Raisintree
Chokecherry
Cowherb
Cynoglossum grande
Clivers
Castor
Celandine
California Pitcher Plant
Centipeda
Centipeda minima
Clerodendron
Clown's Mustard Plant
Cottonseed
Crinum
Chymotrypsin
Carrapichinho
Chinese Plumbago
Cedrus libani
Cynanchum otophyllum
Copper
Ceanothus integerrimus
China Rose
Commiphora wightii
Cosmos
Cynanchum (unspecified)
Cynodon dactylon
Chiococca alba
Cocklebur
Chinese Goldthread
Castor Oil
Copaiba Oil
Chinese Ash
Cynanchum
Clerodendrum indicum
Casearia sylvestris
Catlaw Buttercup
Chrysophanics
Dye Indigo
Didymocarpus
Dragon's Blood (unspecified)
DIVI-DIVI
Dragon's Blood
Dianthrone
Dwarf lilyturf
Deoxyandrographolides
Davilla rugosa
European Elder
Echinacea (unspecified)
Enzyme (unspecified)
Erigeron
Elephant Vine
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
English Oak
Echinacea
Echinacea angustifolia
Echinacea pallida
Eucalyptus
Echinacea purpurea
English Plantain
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Echinacea (mixed)
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
European-Five Finger Grass
Ethanol
Euphorbia (unspecified)
Euphorbia pekinensis
Elastase
Eugenol
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fritillaria (unspecified)
Figwort
Fomes fomentarius
Ficus simplicissima
Ficin
Ficin
Fern-leaf yarrow
Five-Leaf Cassia
Fibrinase
Genipap
Gnaphalium
Gumweed
Garlic
Giant Blazingstar
Gallotannin
Goldenseal
Glossy Privet
Geranium
Gugambilla
Great Plantain
Golden Shower Tree
Guazuma ulmifolia
Glycerite
Hu Zhang
hydrastine
Honeysuckle
Humboldt Lily
Hedyotis (unspecified)
Hedyotis diffusa
Hydrastine
Honey
Honeysuckle (unspecified)
Heal-All
Hedyotis
Hellebore
Houttuynia
Hound's Tongue
Helicteres isora
Henna
Hedyotis corymbosa
Herb Robert
Hyaluronidase
Hairy Fig
Huang Hua
Immunoglobulin G
Indian Madder
Indian Mustard
Iridoid glycosides
Isatis
Indian Redwood
Immortelle
Indian mallow
Ilex asprella
Indian Fagonia
Japanese arisaema
Japanese Horseradish
Japanese Honeysuckle
Jessica's Sticktight
Kigelia africana
Kachnar
Kokilaksha
Kamala
Kalanchoe pinnatum
Kurtha zopfil
Lacquertree
Lebbek
Lesser speargrass
Licorice
Levant Cotton
Laggera pterodonta
Lophira lanceolata
Luffa
Lodhtree
lac resin
Lysozyme
Lantana camara
Little ironweed
Lymph
Lactobacillus
Laminaria
Lewis's monkey flower
Mineral ascorbate
Mallow
Monolaurin
Malva sylvestris
Matico
Myrrh
Matapalo Tree
Mahonia
Milkweed
Morning Glory
Marigold
Marking Nut Tree
Microcos
Macaranga indica
Nucno Pichana
Neem
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Nut Grass
Naphthoquinone (unspecified)
Nimbidin
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
Oxystelma
Oxygen
Oldenlandia
Origanum (unspecified)
Omega-3
Propolis
Plantain (unspecified)
Proteolytic enzyme (unspecified)
Purple Tephrosia
Pau d'Arco
Papain
Peptidase
Protease
Plantago
Pentacyclic alkaloids
Pluchea
Pellitory-of-the-wall
Pubescent Holly
Peptidohydrolase
Proteolytic Enzymes
Pink Root
Pellitory
Paris polyphylla
Peucedanum
Pentatropis capensis
Proteolytic Enzymes (Proteases)
Plumbago zeylanica
Patrinia
Physalis angulata
Plantain
Plantain (unspecifed)
Papayotin
Povidone
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Pokeweed
Plantago (unspecified)
Petiveria
Plantain (common or English)
Plectranthus amboinicus
Papain
Prolase
Phodymprhenia pertusa
Red root (unspecified)
Red Alder
Resin
Red Spiderling
Rubia yunnanensis
Rhus glabra
Sophora flavescens
Scrophularia ningpoensis
Spotted Geranium
Sanicle
Spilanthes
Sicklepod
Sichuan Pagoda Tree
Sichuan Fritillary
Sesbania
Sargentodoxa
Speedwell
Spanish Needle
Serratia
Streptomyces
Sausage Tree
Smartweed
Serralysin
Sphaerotrichia
Shikonin
Self-Heal
Smooth Alder
Serrapeptase
Sangre de Grado
Solanum indicum
Sanguisorba
Sickle-leaf hare's ear
Sagebrush (unspecified)
Sesbania (unspecified)
Streptococcus (mixed)
Sarcandra glabra
Stinging Nettle
Sweet Violet
Streptococcus
Sheep Sorrel
Stellaria dichotoma
Stillingia
Stereospermum
Sheep Sorrel (herb powder)
Simaruba
Skunkvine
Silver
serine proteinase
Sandy Everlasting
Styrax balsam
Salt (unspecified)
Scurfy Pea
Smoketree
Sodium chlorite
Tannin (unspecified)
Tamarix gallica
Thymoquinone
Tannins
Thymus
Tree Turmeric
Thuja
Tropical Almond
Tree of heaven
Trichosanthis
Tiger Lily
Thymus
Thymol
Tayuya
Trichoderma viride
Thymus
Tannin
Trichosanthes
Tulbaghia
Tannates
Tea Tree Oil
Tagetes
Trypsin
Thuja plicata
Thymus
Ulmus davidiana
Usnea
Vitamin C (Ascorbate)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitex negundo
Vitamin C (not specified)
Vitamin C (unspecified)
Vitamin C (mixed)
Vitamin C (mixed ascorbates)
Vietnamese sophora
Violet
Violet (unspecified)
Viola
Wild Indigo
Whiteweed
Witch Hazel
White Oak
White Mustard
Waltheria ovata
Yerba Mansa
Zingiberene