How to Drain an Abscess at Home

Have you ever developed a tender mass on any area of your body? A tender mass with a pink or deep red area around it could be an abscess. The middle of an abscess usually has debris and pus, and is usually quite painful to touch. You may have to take antibiotics, but sometimes, antibiotics alone do not work, and the abscess has to be drained.

How to Drain an Abscess at Home

It is possible to drain an abscess at home if it is less than a centimeter in size. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Apply Heat to the Area

Before you go any further, be sure to apply heat to the infected area first. Place a warm face cloth over your abscess for 20 minutes at a time. Do it thrice a day to help bring the abscess to a head.

2. Prepare for the Process

Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly using soap and water. Use alcohol to rinse the infected area and always use a sterile needle for the process. You should get a new one from a pharmacy and never use needles that may have been bleached clean.

3. Drain It

Use the sterile needle to puncture the abscess. You may have to do it several times depending on the size of the lesion. Once done, try to apply some pressure around the abscess to help it drain, and get rid of blood and pus.

4. Take Care After the Drainage

Make sure to take care of the area after the drainage. Apply antibiotic ointment regularly to avoid infections. It is better to bandage the abscess and use Bacitracin to treat lanced abscesses. You may have to continue using warm compresses for at least three days after the drainage. Apply a new bandage after using a compression.

5. Other Tips You Should Pay Attention To

• It really helps to learn how to drain an abscess at home, but bear in mind that not all abscesses can be treated at home. This is especially true if the abscess is located in the nose, lip, groin, breast and armpit. Any abscess with red lines radiating out should only be treated by a doctor.
• Not treating an abscess properly may lead to blood poisoning that can be life-threatening. If you feel that your abscess is taking too long to heal, be sure to seek immediate medical help.

Home Remedies for Abscesses

1. Turmeric

Turmeric has antibacterial properties and helps clear infections. It works effectively when applied on your abscesses.

How to use:

• Take some turmeric powder and add a few drops of mustard oil to it.
• Make a paste and apply it on your abscess.
• Use a warm betel leaf to cover the area and use a duct tape to keep it in place.
• Be sure to change your dressing before you go to sleep. Repeat daily until the pus drains out.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

With its powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar works amazingly well to cure your abscesses in a short time.

How to use:

• Take a cotton ball and soak it in apple cider vinegar. Place it over your abscess and use a duct tape to keep it in place.
• Leave it in place throughout the night and remove the tape in the morning. Repeat the same in the evening again until your abscess heals completely.

3. Neem

Now you know how to drain an abscess at home, you can also consider some home remedies such as neem to treat an abscess. Thanks to its potent antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, neem is an effective remedy for abscesses. 

How to use:

• Take some fresh neem leaves and grind them well to make a fine paste.
• Apply it over your abscess and leave for as long as possible.
• Repeat the same at least thrice a day for positive effects.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is extremely beneficial against bacterial infections and therefore it effectively treats abscesses.

How to use:

Take a cotton ball, dip it into tea tree oil, and apply on your abscess thrice a day. Regular application will destroy the infection and accelerate healing.

5. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is well known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it can be used to treat an abscess.

How to use:

• Take a fresh aloe vera leaf and remove some of its gel.
• Add some turmeric powder to the paste and apply it on your abscess.
• Use a duct tape to keep it in place.
• Repeat every night before going to bed until your abscess heals.

When to Seek Medical Care

It is possible to get rid of your abscesses by learning how to drain an abscess at home. However, you need to seek medical attention in certain cases. For instance, you should call your doctor if:

• Your sore is larger than a centimeter in size.
• Your sore continues to get bigger.
• You experience severe pain.
• You have a sore near your groin or rectal area.
• You have red lines going away from your abscess.
• You have a fever higher than 101.5 ºF.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you have an abscess as well as the following symptoms:

• A fever higher than 102 ºF
• Tender lymph nodes between your chest and the abscess
• Facial abscesses larger than a half-inch