Abscess, Abscesses, Boils, Cyst, Blister, Ulcer, Pimple, Pustules, Carbuncle, Whiteheads.
Root Cause of Disease
Most abscesses are caused by a bacterial infection. When bacteria enter your body, your immune system sends infection-fighting white blood cells to the affected area. As the white blood cells attack the bacteria, some nearby tissue dies, creating a hole which then fills with pus to form an abscess.
Symptoms
Most often, an abscess becomes a painful, compressible mass that is red, warm to touch, and tender
- As some abscesses progress, they may “point” and come to a head so you can see the material inside and then spontaneously open (rupture).
- Most will continue to get worse without care. The infection can spread to the tissues under the skin and even into the bloodstream.
- If the infection spreads into deeper tissue, you may develop a fever and begin to feel ill.
Causes
When our normal skin barrier is broken, even from minor trauma, or small tears, or inflammation, bacteria can enter the skin. An abscess can form as your body’s defenses try to kill these germs with your inflammatory response (white blood cells = pus). Obstruction in a sweat or oil (sebaceous) gland, or a hair follicle or a pre-existing cyst can also trigger an abscess.
The middle of the abscess liquefies and contains dead cells, bacteria, and other debris. This area begins to grow, creating tension under the skin and further inflammation of the surrounding tissues. Pressure and inflammation cause the pain.
People with weakened immune systems get certain abscesses more often. Those with any of the following are all at risk for having more severe abscesses. This is because the body has a decreased ability to ward off infections.
Some other influencing factors include:
- Chronic steroid therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- AIDS
- Sickle cell disease
- Peripheral vascular disorders
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Severe burns
- Severe trauma
- Alcoholism or IV drug abuse
- Obesity
Other risk factors for abscess include exposure to dirty environments, exposure to persons with certain types of skin infections, poor hygiene, and poor circulation.
Home Remedies to treat Abscess
Remedy – 1: Salt Water Rinse
Materials: Salt, Water
Salt water rinse is mainly used for abscess around the tooth and inside the mouth area. This easy and affordable solution can provide effective temporary relief of your abscessed tooth. It can also encourage wound healing and healthy gums.
Procedure:
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of regular table salt to 1/2 cup of warm tap water.
- Rinse your mouth with the salt water.
Remedy – 2: Hot Water Massage
Materials: Hot water
If the abscess is small (less than 1 cm or less than a half-inch across), applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times daily may help. using a warm compress to see if that opens up the abscess so it can drain. You can make a compress by wetting a washcloth with warm — not hot — water and placing it over the abscess for several minutes. Do this a few times a day, and wash your hands well before and after applying the washcloth. If the abscess opens on its own and drains, and the infection seems to clear up in a couple of days, your body should heal on its own. If it doesn’t, it’s time to call your doctor’s office.
Remedy – 3: Baking Soda
Materials: Baking soda
Baking soda is an excellent agent for removing plaque from the mouth and teeth. So, as you proceed with the remedy, mix half a spoon of baking soda and half a cup of water along with some salt.
After you rinse your mouth for five minutes, spit the solution and repeat the steps until the cup is empty. If you need to get rid of the pain and inflammation, apply this remedy two to three times a day.
Product link: Baking soda
Remedy – 4: Fenugreek tea
Materials: Fenugreek seeds, Water, Honey
Owing to the antibacterial properties, Fenugreek can serve to be the best remedy for tooth abscess.
Rather than consuming fenugreek in its raw form, you can prepare fenugreek tea after adding fenugreek powder to a cup of warm water. Later, allow the mixture to cool down, dab a cotton ball, and place it near the affected area. If you need to speed up the healing process, follow the remedy three times throughout the day.
Procedure:
- Put 1 tablespoon (11 g) of fenugreek seeds into a pot on the stove.
- Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) of water and turn the burner to high.
- Simmer the seeds over medium-high heat for 6 to 7 minutes. Once the water comes to a boil, turn the burner down to medium so the water bubbles gently. Let the tea simmer until the water turns a pale yellow color. Then, turn off the burner.
- Strain the tea into a teacup. Slowly pour the hot fenugreek tea through the strainer. Then, discard the seeds that are in the strainer.
- Add honey or sweetener if you want to adjust the flavor.
Product link: Fenugreek seeds , Honey
Remedy – 5: Garlic
Materials: Garlic
Garlic could be yet another remedy that you can always try. While the extract helps manage pain, small pieces of garlic aid in killing bacteria.
So, as you try out the remedy, prepare a paste with garlic cloves and rub it on the affected area. In order to perceive the difference, consider the treatment multiple times a day.
Product link: Garlic
Remedy – 6: Mint
Materials: Mint
It may sound strange that mint leaves are considered among the natural remedies. But, once you follow the steps, you would know that mint leaves are pretty effective.
So, as you move ahead, you should first blend the leaves in water to prepare a diluted extract. Afterward, you need to use the mixture for rinsing your mouth and then spit it out after a few minutes.
Product link: Mint
Other Remedies
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the best remedy for treating tooth abscesses. Besides reducing the plaque, hydrogen peroxide relieves pain from bleeding gums.
Hence, soon after you mix 3% of hydrogen peroxide in water, swish your mouth thoroughly. Then spit the solution and refrain from swallowing it in any case.
Thyme oil
Thyme oil has the potential to kill bacteria and infection, which help reduce swelling.
So, initially, you need to soak a cotton ball in thyme oil and apply it to the affected area. As an alternative, you can prepare a mouthwash with a few drops of oil added to a small glass of water.
Preventions
- Maintain good personal hygiene by washing your skin with soap and water regularly.
- Take care to avoid nicking yourself when shaving your underarms or pubic area.
- Seek immediate medical attention for any puncture wounds, especially if:
- You think there may be some debris in the wound.
- The puncture wound was caused by a bite – human, insect or animal.
- You have one of the listed medical conditions.
- You are on steroids or chemotherapy.
