Top 10 Home Remedies To Treat Abscess
Kushneet holds a postgraduate degree in biotechnology from Kingston University, London, and is an ISSA Certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition with 2 years of experience. Her scientific background, coupled with her passion for writing, propelled her towards content writing.
Read full bio of Kushneet Kukreja
Image: Shutterstock
Have you ever suffered from an abscess? It definitely wasn’t a good experience, was it? That tender, pink-red colored mass that is filled with pus is an absolute pain. With high chances of an infection, it is important to treat the abscess at the earliest. You definitely do not want it to aggravate and become worse. You can put an end to your worry as there are a number of home remedies you can use to get rid of the abscess. And the best part about them is that they are inexpensive, yet highly effective.
So want to know how to get rid of an abscess at home? Sit back and read on!
In This Article
Home Remedies For Abscess
1. Baking Soda For Abscess
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon salt
- Water
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Mix the baking soda and salt. Add water to form a paste.
- With a slightly damp cotton ball, apply this paste on the abscess. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Before removing, apply a little pressure to drain the abscess completely.
How Often You Need To Do This
A one-time application works well.
Why This Works
This home remedy works well if the abscess hasn’t burst open, and you wish to remove the pus and relieve the pressure and pain. The skin is already stretched and thin on the surface of the abscess. The baking soda and salt combination will help the abscess to burst and drain. Baking soda also prevents an infection from being contracted as it is an antiseptic and antibacterial agent (1).
2. Coconut Oil For Abscess
You Will Need
- 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil
- Warm water
What You Have To Do
- When you have a tooth abscess, swish the oil in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Then, spit the oil out. Do not ingest it.
- Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth as usual.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this twice a day.
Why This Works
This home remedy is called oil pulling, and it works really well for tooth abscesses and toothache. The lauric acid in coconut oil reduces inflammation and prevents infections (2).
3. Clove Oil For Abscess
You Will Need
- A few drops of clove oil
- A toothbrush
What You Have To Do
- In case of a tooth abscess, brush your teeth daily with some clove oil.
- Be careful while applying it on the infected area. Do not apply pressure on the area as it can become more painful.
You can also massage your gums with clove oil.
How Often You Need To Do This
Brush with clove oil twice a day.
Why This Works
Clove oil is one of the most effective home remedies for abscess near the teeth and gums. Its strong antimicrobial activity treats any infection that may be present, and its antioxidant content facilitates quick healing (3).
4. Turmeric For Abscess
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon milk or water
What You Have To Do
- All you need to do is mix the turmeric powder with milk or water and apply it directly on the abscessed area.
- Let it air dry. Rinse after 20-30 minutes. This will help in curing skin abscess.
You can also mix some turmeric powder with milk and take this drink thrice daily for healing the infection internally.
How Often You Need To Do This
Apply this paste twice or thrice a day.
Why This Works
Turmeric is renowned for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which are also helpful in curing abscess (4).
5. Epsom Salt
You Will Need
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- Warm water
What You Have To Do
- Fill a bowl or bath tub with warm water and mix the Epsom salt in it.
- Soak the affected area in this water for 15 to 30 minutes.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this three to four times a day.
Why This Works
Salt soak can relieve the pain of the abscess. It will make your skin soft as well as cure the infection gradually. It also reduces inflammation (5).
6. Neem
You Will Need
- A few fresh neem leaves
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Grind the leaves with water to form a paste.
- Apply this on the abscess and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
If you cannot find fresh neem leaves, you can apply a few drops of neem oil diluted in a tablespoon of olive oil.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this every few hours.
Why This Works
Neem has been used since centuries to treat skin disorders. It possesses antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that will treat the infection at the abscess area (6).
7. Fenugreek Paste
You Will Need
- Fresh fenugreek leaves
- Water
- Washcloth
What You Have To Do
- Prepare a paste with the fenugreek leaves and apply it on the affected area. Let it dry.
- Then, soak a clean piece of cloth in warm water and wipe off the mixture.
How Often You Need To Do This
Repeat this twice or thrice a day.
Why This Works
A paste prepared from crushed fenugreek leaves is an effective tooth abscess home remedy. It possesses antimicrobial properties and will kill the microbes that may be causing or aggravating the abscess. It also has anti-inflammatory that will help reduce the swelling and pain as well (7).
8. Pomegranate Peel
You Will Need
- Pomegranate peels
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Dry the peels in the sun and grind them to make a powder.
- Take a small amount of this powder, and to it, add the lemon juice to form a paste.
- Apply this on the affected area and let air dry.
- Rinse with water.
How Often You Need To Do This
Do this twice a day.
Why This Works
We all know the benefits of eating a pomegranate, but who knew its peels could also help us in relieving skin problems! Pomegranate peels have been shown to exert anti-infective and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin (8, 9). Lemon is an antimicrobial agent with potent antioxidants (10).
9. Raw Onion
You Will Need
- Onion slice
- A piece of cloth
What You Have To Do
- Place the onion on the abscessed skin and wrap it with the cloth.
- Change the onion slice every three hours.
How Often You Need To Do This
Continue doing this for an entire day. Repeat the next day if the abscess hasn’t healed.
Why This Works
The chemicals present in onion possess antiseptic properties that cure the abscess by improving blood circulation in the affected area. It also helps in reducing the inflammation (11).
10. Echinacea Herb
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon dried echinacea herb
- A cup of boiling water
What You Have To Do
- Steep the herb in the hot water for a few minutes and strain.
- Drink while the decoction is warm.
You can also use readymade echinacea tea bags.
How Often You Need To Do This
Intake of echinacea tea is the best herbal treatment for abscess. Drink two to three cups in a day, but only for a few days. Excessive consumption of echinacea can make your body immune to its effects.
Why This Works
Echinacea helps the immune system to fight the infection that is causing the skin abscess. Thus, it fastens the process of abscess healing (12).
Abscess Causes
When the oil glands or sweat glands in the skin are blocked, or if there is an inflammation of the hair follicles, an abscess is formed. They also form due to minor punctures of the skin. This abscessed area becomes sensitive to microbial infection. The germs get under the skin, and as an automatic immune response, an inflammation is observed at the abscess site. The center part of the abscess consists of dead cells, germs, and other debris. The quantity of this liquid increases to cause swelling and pain (13). Contaminated surroundings, poor hygiene, and poor circulation result in abscesses.
An abscess can develop anywhere on the body. For example, an abscess near the anus or rectum develops due to infection and is called perianal abscess (14). Abscess are very commonly formed in the mouth as well. When an abscess is formed at the site of an incision (done during surgery), it is called an incisional abscess (15).
Abscess Symptoms
The symptoms are as follows:
- Abscess site is pink-red in color and tender
- Swelling and pain at and around the abscess
- Skin tissue becomes hard at the infection site
- Abscess can be warm to touch
- Drainage of pus and debris from the abscess
- Fever and/or chills in the case where the infection has entered the bloodstream (13)
We have mentioned some of the most effective home remedies for abscess treatment in this article. Proper hygiene and a balanced diet play an equally important role in this regard. Ensure that you drink at least eight to ten glasses of water daily. Avoid fried foods and refined sugars, and incorporate lots of green leafy vegetables in your diet.
Have you ever suffered from an abscess? What did you do to cure it? Share your experience with us in the comments section.
Read full bio of Kushneet Kukreja
