Abscess
An abscess is a pustular infection walled
off by the body's defense system. When an
abscess forms around a hair follicle
(typically at the neck hairline, underarms and
buttocks) it is called a boil. A severe
abscess is a carbuncle if it has a number of
centers at several hair follicles. The skin
looks hot, red and swollen from the start,
and quickly develops into a noticeably
elevated lump. The highly inflamed tissue
is painful even if the abscess is small.
Once an abscess ripens, the contents are
eliminated through the skin's surface,
relieving the pressure and pain instantly;
this entire process normally takes about
two weeks. In rare instances, an abscess
becomes very large or spreads the
infection elsewhere, causing more general signs
of fever, fatigue and swollen lymph
glands. This enlargement signals a more serious
condition, which should be examined by your doctor.
Abscesses, boils and carbuncles occur when the
skin's defense systems have been breached and a
bacterial infection has begun. Abscesses can
occur anywhere in the body, even in inner organs
such as the lungs or the appendix. In the skin,
abscesses are more likely to develop after a small
cut or puncture wound, and where tight
clothing rubs against the skin. A common location is
the finger beside the nail bed, where tiny injuries
cause infections.
Not everyone is susceptible to abscesses and
boils. Underlying causes for recurring problems
are blood impurities, poor nutrition and weak
resistance. Diabetics with high blood-sugar
levels, as well as obese persons, have lowered
resistance. A diet containing junk food, deep-fried
food and pork, and lacking in fresh food causes
blood impurities which increase the likelihood of
boils and abscesses. Women who have just given
birth are more prone to abscesses, and young men
have a tendency towards boils.
Supplements and herbs
Zinc and
vitamin C are important ingredients
for fighting any infection as they stimulate the
immune system response. Both are effective
preventives for recurring abscesses and boils. Many practitioners also recommend
a vitamin C flush, high doses of vitamin C pushed to bowel tolerance, for any
infection. Bioflavonoids and vitamin C occur together
in food and should be taken together as
supplements. The source of many infections,
especially those on the skin, originate from
the bowel.
Additionally, use a good Lactobacillus
acidophilus and bifidus supplement to help control
the bowel flora, reduce gastrointestinal toxins
and improve digestion. Vitamins A and E are
particularly useful for resolving skin problems,
speeding healing and preventing scarring.
They are also necessary for immune system
support and can be taken in addition to the vitamin
C, zinc and bioflavonoids.
Garlic acts as a natural antibacterial agent,
and is available in capsule form for easy
administration.
To treat an abscess and speed healing once it has
drained, herbal remedies are most effective.
- Echinacea decoction helps rid the body of bacterial infections: Place 2
teaspoons of the root in 1 cup of water; bring to a boil, and simmer for
10 minutes; drink 3 times a day.
- Abscesses are thought to be caused by excessive heat in the body.
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine recommend these herbs to
reduce heat: Chinese golden thread, dandelion, or wild
chrysanthemum
and violet in the form of a tea.
- If there is pus at the center of the red spot,
apply hot, moist compresses of chamomile,
sage
or thyme to soften and ripen the abscess.
- Use cool arnica wraps for severe inflammations.
- Cold-pressed whole-leaf aloe vera juice with
high mucopolysaccharide content, 2 oz. three
or more times daily; aloe vera gel can also be
applied to skin infections liberally at almost
any stage as an astringent, natural antibiotic
and analgesic.
- When the abscess has completely drained, dab
on calendula cream or
St. John's wort oil for
speedier healing.
- Burdock leaf poultice acts as an antibiotic and
purifies the blood.
- A poultice of linseed flour, as hot as can be
tolerated, is also effective. Replace it with a new
pack when it has cooled down, or every two to
three hours.
- After the abscess has drained, yarrow provides
antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and astringent
relief. Use as tea: to be sipped in small amounts
throughout the day, to wash affected area, as a
poultice, or to rub on scalp. Add 1 cup boiling
water to 1 tsp. yarrow herb.
- Thoroughly cleanse abscess twice daily with a
clean cotton cloth soaked in sage or chamomile
infusion.
- Nettle and
red clover juice are excellent drinks
for blood cleansing to speed healing and prevent recurrences.
Aromatherapy
Commonly used essential oils for abscess:
- Clary Sage
- Lavender
- Patchouli
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Sandalwood
Homeopathy
Take the remedy in a low to medium potency (6 to 30c), from every two
hours to three times daily, reducing the frequency with improvement.
- Belladonna
Acute stages; abscess or boils with very rapid onset, violent symptoms.
Burning heat; red, dry, swollen skin. Attacks of throbbing, cutting
pain.
Impending abscess, before pus or thick, bloody pus. Spreading red
streaks. Facial boils, abscess of throat, liver, joints, breasts, glands, etc.
Worse: cold drafts, touch, jarring, after 3 p.m., midnight, lying down.
- Hepar sulph
Causes abscess to come to a head and break. Hard, hot, throbbing skin.
Sharp splinter-like pain. Very tender to touch, sensitive. Bleed easily.
Every wound infects. Profuse, thick, acrid pus. Cheesy or sour odor.
Gums, tonsils, breasts, lungs, sinus, rectum,
lymph glands. Boils in crops.
Worse: night, cold air, drafts, uncovering, touch. Better: wrapping warmly.
- Lachesis
Boils with dark bluish or purplish skin, surrounded by many smaller boils.
Bloody or black painful pustules. Blood poisoning. Can't bear the bandage.
Abscess of internal organs, tonsils, ovaries. Burning pains. Ulcerations.
Gradual abscess; incomplete, leave a hardened area. Easy bleeding.
Worse: night, touch, constriction, heat, left side, pressure. Better: bathing.
- Mercurius
Thin yellow-green foul pus, acrid discharge. Burn and sting, pricking pain.
Abscessed glands, gums, tonsils, liver, ovaries, breasts, bone, brain.
Recurrent boils; speeds suppuration. Slowly developing or cold abscess.
Profuse pus. Ulceration. Foul odor to sweat, pus, saliva. Chilly with
abscess. Swollen glands. Worse: night, both heat and cold, drafts, damp.
- SiIicea
Abscess, boils, fistula; bone, joints, cornea, glands, tonsils, breast, gum.
Yellow or green pus; thick, thin or bloody, often foul. Hardened boils.
Abscess fails to discharge or pus continues and wound fails to heal.
Promotes closure, scarring. Gets infected easily. Expels foreign objects
and related infection. Worse: cold, damp, drafts, jar, night. Better: heat.
- Sulphur
Boils, pimples, in crops. Offensive, thin yellow pus, bloody, containing
bubbles, crusting up. Burning sensations, stinging, itching. Ulcerations.
Abscess in skin, glands, internal organs, gums. Wounds easily infected.
Recurrent or lingering abscess. Sluggish healing, part remains sore.
Worse: warmth of bed, I I a.m., night, scratching. Better: warm compress.
What else you can do
- Reduce your intake of fatty foods, including meat, eggs, and dairy products.
- Reduce your intake of sweet foods and refined
carbohydrates (white flour and sugar).
- Increase your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Medicinal clay packs draw out toxins. Mix 1
tbsp. clay in water to form a paste and apply
1/4-inch thick on the abscess. Cover with
cotton gauze and then with a dry towel to hold in
place. Repeat when dry. Once ripe, the abscess
opens and discharges pus. It can then be
cleansed and start to heal.
- It is best not to squeeze a boil, as the bacteria can
enter the bloodstream and squeezing can also
damage the subcutaneous tissue and form scars.
- It is preferable that the boil open on its own, but,
if considered necessary, use a disinfected needle
(hold over open flame or dip in alcohol) and
gently prick the yellow tip of the abscess.
- Moderate exposure to sun speeds the healing process.
- Once the abscess opens, take showers instead
of baths to minimize the risk of infection
spreading and wash hands thoroughly before
touching any food.
- Apply aloe vera gel and pure natural vitamin E oil
to promote healing and help minimize scarring.
- If abscesses occur frequently, or in many places
at the same time, or when the abscess looks
unusual, appears on the face, has red streaks, is
filled with fluid, or opens inwardly and
discharges into inner body cavities, a physician
should be consulted immediately.
How much to take
- Zinc, 30-60 mg, with 3-4 mg copper
- Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 500-1,000 mg every few hours, or 3,000 mg, to bowel tolerance
- Garlic, 4,000 mg
- Lactobacillus acidophilus, 3 capsules or 1 tsp.
- Vitamin A, 25,000 IU or 100,000 IU beta-carotene (avoid during pregnancy)
- Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400-800 IU
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