Home Remedies and Herbs for Skin Abscess

A skin abscess is an infection under the skin where a localized buildup of pus collects. Left untreated, skin abscesses can spread and grow to the point of rupturing. They can be extremely painful and quite dangerous. ¹

Skin abscess pus is a collection of dead tissue that includes white blood cells and bacteria. Skin abscess infections usually result from the staphylococcal bacteria. They’re also called staph infections. When staphylococcal bacteria enter the body and affect a specific area, the immune system delivers white blood cells to fight the infection. This shows as swelling at the infection site and causes tissue nearby to die. ^1,3

Some forms of staphylococcal bacteria produce the Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin that kills white blood cells. This results in the body increasing white cell production to fight the infection and creates larger pockets of pus and potential spreading. ¹

Skin abscesses can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on or directly under the skin of the hands, feet, underarms, genitals, and the buttocks. Skin abscesses are different from internal abscesses that form deep inside the body and around organs or in muscle tissue. ¹

What Causes Skin Abscess

The most common skin abscess causes are bacterial infections. Primarily, it’s the staphylococcal bacteria that’s commonly present and waiting a chance to invade an open cut, a skin abrasion or plugged hair follicle. ¹
 
There are certain factors that put people at higher risk for skin abscess causes including: 

• Weakened immune system
• Diabetes
• Kidney dialysis
• Undergoing chemotherapy
• Cancer patients
• Lupus
• HIV/AIDS
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Crohn’s or colitis
• Severe burns
• Severe trauma
• Intravenous drug use
• Alcoholism

In rare cases, a skin abscess causes can also be attributed to parasites, fungi or a virus. ¹
 
Skin Abscess Symptoms
 
Skin abscess symptoms are clearly present on someone who’s developed the condition. Severity of skin abscess symptoms vary to a degree depending on the location. All cases, however, exhibit these exterior skin abscess symptoms:

• A painful mass on or directly under the skin surface that’s compressible to the touch
• Red in color with a white undertone
• Coming to a “point” and spontaneously rupturing with pustular drainage

In advanced cases, other skin abscess symptoms may include: 

• Extreme pain in an expanding area around the point of infection
• Fever, chills, nausea and vomiting
• Infection spreading into the bloodstream

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Skin Abscess
 
Skin abscess home treatment includes these natural skin abscess home remedy methods using commonly available and effective herbs and topical applications.

• Slippery Elm - Slippery elm is a native North American tree used as a skin abscess home treatment for hundreds of years. Slippery elm reduces inflammation and reduces irritation.
• Milk Thistle - Milk thistle has excellent antiseptic abilities. The flowers and leaves are dried and made into a tea which is then consumed as a skin abscess home remedy.
• Peroxide 3 and Epsom Salt - Hydrogen peroxide 3% combined with the mineral Epsom salt works as a topical skin abscess home treatment. Peroxide 3 cleans the infected area while the magnesium and sulfate in Epsom salt work to reduce inflammation and stop the bacterial infection.
• Burdock - Burdock is a plant related to thistles. It’s common to Europe and Asia but is also grown in North America. Burdock leaves and flowers are dried, made into a tea and consumed as a natural home treatment for skin abscess.
• Lavender Oil - One of the most common garden plants is lavender. Lavender oil is extracted from the seeds and is highly effective in treating skin abscess. The oil is massaged onto the infected area and works as an antiseptic.
• Tea Tree Oil - Tea trees are an evergreen native to Australia. Their bark and leaves are reduced to an oil that’s commonly used as an antifungal, antiseptic and antimicrobial home remedy for skin abscess.

References

1. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Abscess/Pages/Causes.aspx
2. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/abscess/page2_em.htm
3. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000863.htm