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Abscess refers to a lump containing pus. These commonly form on the skin but can also appear in organs like lungs, kidneys, liver, and tonsils. The abscess that forms on skin is known as cutaneous abscess. This article relates to the skin abscess only. In case of abscess on skin, pus may ooze out. Abscess can be painful and warm to touch. Redness and swelling may be seen in the abscess area on the skin. An abscess results from an infection. An abscess develops when bacteria gain entry into the skin via damaged skin like a cut on the skin. It leads to pus formation and abscess development. The most common bacteria involved in abscess formation is staphylococcus aureus. But other bacteria can also lead to abscess like streptococcus pyogenes, mycobacterium tuberculosis and also fungal infections might lead to abscess formation in some cases. A cutaneous abscess can form on different areas on the skin and among these the common locations include armpits (axilla), perianal skin (area around the anus), groin (the area where the thigh and abdomen join) and on the skin above the tailbone. The abscess can be single or multiple varying from case to case. An abscess can heal and never reappear, while in some cases, there is a tendency of recurrent abscesses appearing now and then.
Some of the factors that contribute to the formation of recurrent abscess include diabetes, weak immunity, nutritional deficiencies like iron, poor blood circulation and suppressed immunity due to the use of systemic steroids. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus may also be one of the reasons behind recurrent abscess. In some cases, a medical condition named hidradenitis suppurative may be the reason behind formation of recurrent abscess. This condition is also known by another name i.e. acne inversa. In this condition, small painful lumps appear under the skin in areas like armpits, buttocks, groin and breasts. These lumps tend to get well slowly and have a tendency to recur often. They may form tunnels under the skin connecting the abscesses, and leave scars. Pus and blood can get drained from these lumps and this discharge has a highly offensive smell. It generally affects areas like armpits, buttocks, groins, folds under the breast, nape of the neck, waist and genitals. This condition results from blockage of hair follicles and is not caused by poor hygiene. Some of the risk factors for this condition include family history of this condition, excessive hair growth, being overweight and smoking. This condition is also associated with some medical conditions including arthritis (joint inflammation), intense acne, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD which is an autoimmune condition that inflames and damages the gastrointestinal tract).
Homeopathic Management
Homeopathic medicines offer natural, safe and effective treatment in cases of recurrent abscess formation on the skin. These medicines help to eradicate the tendency to have frequent abscess formation. The tendency gradually gets decreased with the use of these medicines. Besides these homeopathic medicines also help in healing acute abscess on the skin. The homeopathic approach involves boosting the disease-fighting mechanism of the body to fight bacteria and eradicate them from the body and aid the healing of abscess. These medicines help in reducing redness, heat, inflammation and discharges from the abscess with resultant complete recovery. Homeopathic medicines for healing abscess and overcoming tendency of recurrent abscess are prescribed individually for every case as per the presenting signs and symptoms. It is recommended to get any case of recurrent abscess evaluated by a homeopathic physician and take medicines as per physician’s advice. Self- medication should be avoided in any case.
Homeopathic Medicines To Treat Recurrent Skin Abscess
1. Hepar Sulph – Top Recommended Medicine
Hepar Sulph is a top recommended medicine for cases where there is a tendency of recurrent abscess formation. Those needing it have frequent abscess formation with pus discharge that is blood stained. The pus discharge is scanty. The pus has a very foul smell. The skin area above the abscess is quite inflamed. The abscess feels hard. Warmth is also felt on touching the abscess. There is increased sensitivity of abscess to touch. Abscess is highly painful. The pain can be stabbing, throbbing or like that of a splinter (a small sharp piece of glass or wood broken from a big object). There is increased pain at night. Exposure to cold also worsens the pain. Besides treating the tendency of recurrent abscess, this medicine is equally beneficial to help cases of acute abscess. In acute cases, this medicine is indicated to hasten the recovery from abscess by speeding up the process of pus formation and its expulsion, and natural speedy recovery.
2. Sulphur – To Treat Recurrent Abscess Formation With Passage Of Yellowish Pus
Sulphur is another well-indicated medicine to overcome the tendency of recurrent abscesses. In cases needing it, there is recurrent abscess formation with passage of yellowish pus. The pus has a very offensive smell. This medicine is also indicated when pus-filled lumps are formed on the skin in crops (means in multiple numbers lying close together). This medicine is also considered when a pus-filled lump forms soon after the healing of previous one. There is dryness and scaling of the skin. There may be skin itching and burning sensation in the soles of the feet along with the above complaints in cases where this medicine is required.
3. Silicea – To Help Tendency Of Multiple Number Of Abscess At A Same Time
This medicine is very effective when there is a tendency to have multiple abscesses at the same time. In cases requiring this medicine, the pus discharge has a highly offensive smell. The discharge varies in amount from scanty to profuse. Thin and watery discharge is noted sometimes. The discharge can be brownish-colored. This medicine is indicated for cases where hard nodes are left after the healing of abscess. There is a tendency to increased sweating along with the above indications when this medicine is needed.
4. Calcarea Sulph – To overcome tendency of recurrent abscess with yellow lumpy pus
Calcarea Sulph is a highly useful medicine to eradicate the tendency to frequent abscess formation. It is highly recommended when there is passage of yellow lumpy pus from the lump. The discharge is very thick. It is also blood stained. Besides helping to overcome recurrent abscess formation tendency, this medicine is also used to hasten recovery of acute abscess after the discharge of pus has already begun from the abscess.
5. Arnica – To Treat Recurrent Small-Sized Pus-Filled Lumps On Skin
Arnica is the next highly valuable medicine to manage cases where abscesses form quite often. The lumps are small in size and form frequently one after the other. There occur multiple number of lumps at the same given time. The lumps are very sore to touch.
6. Anthracinum – For Treating Recurring Abscess With Burning Sensation
Anthracinum is another recommended medicine for treating the tendency of recurring abscesses forming on the skin. In cases needing it, the abscess is attended with marked burning sensation. There is passage of fetid smelling pus from these abscesses most of the time. The abscess is also very painful besides the above features.
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