Abscess/Boils

Choose a remedy: No one has all the symptoms of abscess or boils so choose based on the most prominent ones. If symptoms change, take a remedy that matches your new symptoms.

Dosage:  For acute pain, take 6C or 12X every hour for up to 10 doses* or 30C two-three times a day while red, swollen and painful** or for lingering infections, take 6X one to two times/day for 7-14 days.** Decrease dosage until pus is no longer coming out, swelling is down, and redness improved.  Or, see the Dosage Chart

• If no improvement after twelve hours/overnight, try a different remedy.

Notes: 

• See your medical provider if an abscess or boil is accompanied by fever or there is a red streak from the area.
• If a self-selected remedy – however well indicated – doesn’t help, you need to seek medical expertise.  A doctor will provide a diagnosis and/or a professional homeopath can evaluate your symptoms in the context of your whole person. 

Symptoms	Remedy
Firm red, cyst-like lumps after a boil has healed; or Deep abscess slow to heal despite draining pus ; or Chronic abscess that does not go away Yellow/green pus Worse with cold drafts, cold drinks Better with warmth View Remedy	Silica
Skin infection, before pus has formed; or After pus is formed if area is tender/painful; or Abscessed gland Sharp, stabbing pain (like a splinter) Boils that are slow to heal even after pus is drained Very sensitive to cold air/applications Irritable Very painful with touch Chilly, better wrapped up View Remedy	Hepar sulphuris calcareum
Slowly developing abscess with pus; or After most abscess has gone away but hard places remain Thin, yellow/green pus, burns Painful (not as much as Hepar sulph) Hard and swollen glands Perspiration, breath, pus are foul smelling  Increased salivation Worse at night and with warm or cold  View Remedy	Mercurius solubilis
Early stage of abscess before much pus has accumulated Sudden onset Red, throbbing, surrounding tissue tender Does not tolerate cold air Worse when touched or jarred Better with warmth View Remedy	Belladonna
Abscess with burning pain that is better with warm applications Chilly Thirsty but drinks only sips View Remedy	Arsenicum album
Abscess and surrounding area are bluish or purple Smaller boils around discolored skin Burning pains, bandage is painful Pus is dark and thin Worse at night View Remedy	Lachesis Stop this remedy immediately on improvement
To help soothe, heal skin after abscess. View Remedy	Calendula cream Apply according to package directions.

References

Boericke W. Materia Medica with Repertory, 9th Ed. Boericke and Tafel, CA. 1927: pp. 41, 843.

Castro, Miranda, The Complete Homeopathy Handbook, St. Martin’s Press, New York,

NY, (1990), p. 64-65, 94, 115, 133, 150, 156.

Chand KS, Kapoor P.  Case reports on integrated management of tubercular disease.  Homeopathy. 2017 Nov; 106(4): 214-222. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29157471

**Cummings S, Ullman D.  Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines. 3d Ed. Tarcher/Putnam NY. 1997: pp. 245-48.;

Essential Curriculum for Learning Homeopathy, 2d Ed.  Homeopaths without Borders. 2018: pp. 220.

Farrer S, Baitson ES, Gedah L, et al.  Homeopathic prescribing for chronic and acute periodontal conditions in 3 dental practices in the UK.  Homeopathy. 2013 Oct; 102(4): 242-47. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24050769

Hering, Constantine.  The Homoeopathic Physician. Boericke & Tafel, NY. 1857: pp. 292, 335.

Hershoff, Asa.  Homeopathic Remedies. Avery/Penguin Putnam, Inc, NY.  2000: pp. 88-89.

Kaiser Permanente.  Boils (Homeopathy). Remedy Options.  Retrieved on Aug 6, 2019 from https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2200008

Kruzel. Thomas. The Homeopathic Emergency Guide. North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, CA. 1992: pp. 15-20.

*Lockie, Andrew, The Family Guide to Homeopathy, Fireside, 1st Ed., New York, NY. 1989: pp. 141-42(1993), pp. 141-42.

Mathie RT, Farrer S.  Outcomes from homeopathic prescribing in dental practice: a prospective, research-targeted, pilot study.  Homeopathy. 2007 Apr; 96(2): 74-81. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17437932

Morrison, Roger, Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms. Hahnemann Clinic Publishing, Grass Valley, CA. 1993, pp. 91, 179, 181, 245-46, 298, 349, 351, 370.

Murphy, Robin. Homeopathic Clinical Repertory, 3d ed. RR Donnelly & Sons, Va. 2005: p. 368.

Murphy, Robin. Nature’s Materia Medica. Lotus Health Institute, VA. 2006: pp. 147-48.

National Center for Homeopathy.  Find a Remedy.  Retrieved on May 27, 2019 from: https://www.homeopathycenter.org/find-remedy.

Pannek J, Pannel-Rademacher S, Cachin-Jus M.  Organ-preserving treatment of an epiddymal abscess in a patient with spinal cord injury.  Spinal Cord. 2014: 52; S7-S8. https://www.nature.com/articles/sc201450

Phatak, SR.  A Concise Repertory of Homeopathic Medicines, 4th Ed.  B Jain, Publ, India. 2017: p. 8

Ullman, Dana.  The Consumers Guide to Homeopathy. GP Putnam Sons, NY. 1995: pp. 253-54.