Symptom Definition

A skin abscess is a pus-filled infection of the skin. It can affect the epidermis (surface layer of the skin) and/or the hypodermis (deep layer of the skin). The abscess can occur anywhere on the body: on healthy skin, in a lesion, or in a hair follicle. In the latter case, it is called a furuncle or anthrax (a cluster of boils joined together under the skin). It is not uncommon for the abscess to affect a finger (the pulp, the back of the finger or the nail), which is known as paronychia.

There are two types of cutaneous abscess:

• Primary cutaneous abscess: occurs on healthy skin and is most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It can also occur around a hair (then it is a folliculitis or boil);
• Secondary cutaneous abscess: occurs on already damaged or infected skin. It can also be caused by Staphylococcus aureus or other bacteria. This type of skin abscess usually follows a small wound that has been neglected. It can also be a complication of a more serious injury or surgical wound. A wound is serious if it is large, dirty, has a foreign body in it, or is near the stomach, chest, or eye.

What are the symptoms of a skin abscess?

The size of a skin abscess is usually 1 to 3 cm, but it can sometimes be much larger. A skin abscess can develop in two stages:

• The inflammatory phase: This is when the body tries to fight off the infection. The affected area is red, hard, hot and swollen. You may feel pain or a burning sensation. More serious abscesses are accompanied by fever, tiredness, swollen glands and loss of appetite;
• The collection phase: This second phase involves the formation of pus, which collects in an inflammatory pocket containing dead cells, bacteria and various substances. The pus is usually yellowish in colour. It thickens, becomes creamy and may have an unpleasant odour.

Causes to be evaluated

Infection of healthy or damaged skin

• An abscess can form on skin that is already damaged or infected, or on healthy skin. This is the case, for example, with a furuncle characterised by infection of a hair follicle.
• If the skin is damaged, the presence of a foreign body under the skin is a major risk.

Bacterial infection

• The bacteria responsible for skin abscesses are usually part of the skin flora, although this varies according to the part of the body affected.
• In abscesses of the trunk, limbs, armpits, head or neck, the most common microorganisms are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus. Staphylococcus aureus can be methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).
• Abscesses in the perineal region (i.e. inguinal, vaginal, gluteal, perirectal) contain microorganisms present in the faeces (anaerobic germs or a mixture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria).

People at risk of developing an abscess are:

• people with weakened immune systems (especially in hospital), diabetics or people with circulatory problems (e.g. venous insufficiency);
• the elderly, bedridden or wheelchair-bound, who are at greater risk of developing pressure ulcers;
• People with chronic skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, etc.), especially those who have a symptomatic abscess. This is particularly the case with Verneuil's disease;
• People carrying staphylococcus aureus (or prone to other cutaneous bacterial outbreaks);
• may occur after severe stress, strong emotions or exhaustion.

Naturopathic Protocol

🍽️ Nutrition

• Do a 48-hour water fast (water and fruit juices), followed by a diet of raw vegetables and fruit. This will help to rid the body of its waste products and excess heat, which favour abscesses.
• A cure based on Nettle juice is ideal for its liver-cleansing, diuretic and remineralising properties.
• Finish off your evening meal with a Thyme infusion.
• Include omega-3 in your diet in the form of linseed oil, rapeseed and oily fish.
• After the water fast, favour an anti-inflammatory diet.

Eat the following foods:

• eggplant
• beet
• carrot
• watercress
• beans
• lettuce
• turnip
• onion
• leek

Decrease or rather suppress:

• gluten
• alcohol
• spices
• charcuterie
• offal
• baked goods
• refined sugar
• chocolate
• cakes
• ice cream

🌿 Phytotherapy

Burdock and Dandelion Infusion:

• 3 cups a day
• Duration: 3 weeks

🌳 Gemmotherapy

Cassis and Walnut:

• 10 drops, 3 times daily for 7 days
• Then 15 drops daily in the morning
• Duration: 2 months

🌺 Aromatherapy

Poultice with apple cider vinegar diluted half with hot water:

• Apply to infected skin with a compress for 20 minutes.

Diesel tree balm with 1 drop of Clove or Tea tree essential oil:

• Apply 3 times a day
• Duration: Until the abscess is gone

🧘‍♂️ Manual Techniques

Hot water hydrotherapy is the most natural technique for skin care because it causes vasodilation and dilation of the pores:

• Local baths at 38°C cause sweating and serum evacuation.
• Hot water applied locally with compresses and poultices removes debris and pus from the skin, cleans wounds, drains tissue and haematomas.
• Paste poultices (clay, linseed meal, starch) retain heat longer than cloths.

🌼 Homeopathy

• To prevent abscesses, a treatment based on Belladonna, Hepar sulfuris calcareum and Pyrogenium can be used.
• These remedies help to reduce the formation of pus in the affected cavity.
• From the inflammatory phase, 5 granules of Belladonna 5 CH should be taken every 2 hours for 2 days, as well as 2 doses of Hepar sulfuris calcareum and 2 doses of Pyrogenium 9 CH per day.