An abscess is an accumulation of pus on the skin or in the body. It can happen almost anywhere, however it is most common on the skin and gums. Abscess are very tender to touch and painful to deal with as they can become inflamed, swelled, and red. For some, a fever also develops showing signs of infection. While you can go to the doctor and get antibiotics to treat the abscess, some prefer to do things naturally. Below are a few home remedies that you can try out.

Tea for Skin Abscesses
You will need three drops of Echinacea tincture, 6 drops of yerba mania tincture, and a cup of warm water. Gather all of those ingredients together for a nice cup of tea. Drink the tea about five times per day as a way to stimulate the immune system. This in turn will help eliminate the infection.

Topical Wash for Skin or Gum Abscesses
For this you will need two teaspoons of barberries, a tablespoon of white oak bark, a teaspoon of Echinacea root, a teaspoon of granulated Oregon grape root, and two cups of boiling water. Place all of the herbs into a glass container. Pour in the water and allow it to soak for about four hours. Strain and use the wash at least three times per day.

Home Remedies
Other options you could try for treating your abscesses are home remedies. Drinking at least 10 cups of water each day can work to flush your system and help the abscess clear. Eating leafy green vegetables provide you with the essential vitamins and minerals you need to heal properly. Consuming pineapple which has bromelain in it can be great for reducing inflammation. Eliminating fried foods and foods with refined sugar can all improve the time for which your body heals.

Apple Cider Vinegar
A lot of people swear by apple cider vinegar because of its cleansing attributes. You can try drinking apple cider vinegar each day until the abscess goes away. If it is a skin abscess, some have found that applying the apple cider vinegar to the abscess makes for a faster remedy to healing. If you’re going to drink it, be sure to mix it with juice or water as apple cider vinegar has an acquired taste that you might not be familiar with.

Warm Compresses
For treating skin abscesses things such as taking a hot shower or bath could do the trick. The warmth helps to loosen up the skin which in turn could allow the abscess to drain on it’s own. If nothing else, the warm compress also provides a soothing sensation when the abscess is swelling and painful.

If all else fails and you’ve had your abscess for a few days you may need to skip the natural remedies and get to your doctor. Allowing an abscess to sit for too long could result in it draining improperly or spreading and causing more infection throughout the body. When trying home remedies, remember to practice cleanliness by discarding of contaminated things and washing your hands.