A skin abscess, also called a boil, is a bump that appears within or below the skin’s surface. This bump is usually full of pus or translucent fluid, and it’s typically due to a bacterial infection. A skin abscess may appear on any part of the body. However, abscesses most commonly develop on the back, face, chest, or buttocks. Skin abscesses can also appear in areas of hair growth, such as the underarms or groin.
Most skin abscesses are harmless and may go away without treatment. Over-the-counter creams and medications may be all that’s needed to help speed the healing process of a minor abscess. Sometimes, skin abscesses are more difficult to treat and may require laceration or drainage.
However, there are cases in which an abscess can lead to serious, potentially life-threatening complications if left untreated.
Causes- Staphylococcus is the most common bacterial cause of skin abscesses. A skin abscess can be the result of a bacterial infection that occurs when Staphylococcus aureus bacteria enter the body through a hair follicle or through a wound or injury that has punctured or broken the skin.
You’re at increased risk for this bacterial infection if you have:
- close contact with an infected individual (which is why staph infections are more common in hospitals)
- a chronic skin disease, like acne or eczema
- diabetes
- a weakened immune system, which can be caused by infections such as HIV
- poor hygiene habits
Infected hair follicles, or folliculitis, may cause abscesses to form in the follicle. Follicles can become infected if the hair within the follicle is trapped and unable to break through the skin, as can happen after shaving. Trapped hair follicles are commonly known as ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs can set the stage for an infection. Abscesses that are on or in a hair follicle will often contain this ingrown hair.
Folliculitis may also occur after spending time in an inadequately chlorinated pool or hot tub.
Symptoms - An abscess often appears as a bump on the skin, similar to a pimple. However, it can grow over time and resemble a cyst filled with fluid. Depending on the cause of the abscess, other symptoms may also be present. These symptoms may include: fever, nausea, chills, swelling, lesions on the skin, inflamed skin, fluid drainage from the abscess.
The area around the abscess may also feel painful and warm to the touch.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
Homoeopathic remedies are found to be very effective for abscess. Some of the leading remedies are given below
SILICEA 1000- Silicea is one of the top remedies for skin abscess and boils. It ripens the abscess and promotes the suppurative processes and hasten the recovery . It helps to heal a boil which is of an obstinate nature. It is very useful abscess of cornea after a traumatic injury, hepatic abscess and abscess of labia, and abscess of joints Another great medicine for treating abscess is Calcarea Sulph. It has a great role to play in treating abscess around anus in cases of fistula.
HEPAR SULH 1000- Hepar Sulph is another top remedy for treating abscess. Abscess with thick pus and severe throbbing pain is the leading symptom of this remedy. Another prescribing symptom is great sensitivity to touch. High potencies often abort the pus and low potencies open up the abscess. Hepar sulph is useful in abscess near the ear, and abscess of lungs Itchthyolum is very effective in treating crops of boils .
BELLADONNA 30—Belladonna is effective in the early stages of abscess when there is not too much of swelling but there is redness and throbbing pain. It is effective in inflammation of the breast. When Belladona fails try Hepar Sulph.
MYRISTICA SED . 3X- Myristica seb. Is considered as Homoeopathic antibiotics. It helps in opening of the abscess. Myristica seb. is known as Homoeopathic knife. It is very effective in abscess of fingers and phallenges.
MERCURIOUS IODIDE 30- Merc. iodide is an effective remedy in inflammatory stages of boils when there is no pus formation. It is useful in glandular abscess. When pus is formed it is green, thin and watery. Another prescribing symptom is intense shining redness with throbbing and stinging pain.
ARNICA MONTNA 30-Arnica mon. is prescribed when there is a tendency to small painful boils one after another which is extremely sore. It is useful when small boils occurs in crops.In such cases when Arnica mon. fails give SULPHUR . SYPHILLINUM is another choice when there is a succession of abscesses one after the other.
LEDUM PAL. 30-Ledum pal is prescribed for abscess caused by needle pricks
RHUS TOXICODENDRON 30-Rhus tox is an effective remedy for abscess near the arm pit or the parotid gland. Pus is mixed with gland. Pus is thin, copious and corroding.
PYROGENIUM 1000- Pyrogenium is effective for recurring abscess. It is also useful for fever abd septic conditions.
VIPERA 30-Vipera is an effective medicine for abscesses when there is bursting sensation and is relieved by raising the affected part.
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