Question 1

hi, last friday i had an abscess cut and drained on my big toe where toe hairs typically grow. i've been told to soak it, should i use epsom salts?

Accepted Answer

Soaking: Soak the toe in Epsom salt and warm water for 5-20 min daily for 1 week.

Question 2

woke up this morning w/ painful bump the size of a grape near rectum. went to gyno & he said its a perianal abscess & gave me keflex 500mg 4x/day & told me to take epsom salt bath. pain is severe. should i wait and see or go to er in morning?

Accepted Answer

Rectal Abscess: If the Epsom salts is not relieving the discomfort and you have a temperature, notify the GYN MD who can determine the need for an E.R. visit or not.  If no response from the GYN MD go to the E.R. The antibiotics take awhile to work and drainage of the abscess may need to be done sooner than later.

Question 3

out of epsom salt, can i soak my anal abscess in vinegar or table salt?

Accepted Answer

No: If you have an abscess, it needs to be drained. You need to see a surgeon.

Question 4

my one foot has been swollen since may ive been to the dr 3 times and nothing they subscribe is working im also getting abscesses more frequently i have one now i soaked in epsom salt bath an today i popped it w massive amounts of pus what iswrong?

Accepted Answer

Abscess:  We don't know your medical history. But if you have a true abscess, than popping to release pus may not be adequate. Abscesses are often loculated, so each chamber needs to be broken up manually for healing to occur.  Incision and drainage by a medical professional may be required.

Question 5

hi, can i take a bath that has isopropyl alcohol and epsom salts dissolved in warm water? i have a non-abcess thing on butt that's draining

Accepted Answer

Bath: I doubt you need the Isopropyl or Epsom salts.
That said, please see your doctor about your butt.

Question 6

what is the best way of healing a staph infection abcess that has been drained by the er?  er follow-up said epsom salts baths  md said keep covered

Accepted Answer

Soaks: The best treatment for an abscess is drainage.  Warm soaks will keep the area open an allow drainage of any residual pus in addition to increasing the blood supply to the area for quicker healing.  Covering the area may also keep the wound from closing prematurely and address continuing moist drainage.  Once the drainage has stopped no dressing is needed.

Question 7

epsom salts to soak a skin wound?

Accepted Answer

Dont do it: It will harm the vital healing tissues.

Question 8

will my herpes go away if i soak them in epsom salts?

Accepted Answer

Herpes: Soaking in epsom salts may soothe painful ulcers, but not make the infection go away.

Question 9

if i am allergic to sulfa drugs, can i still use epsom salts?

Accepted Answer

Epsom: salts contain magnesium sulfate, which is different from   the sulfonamides, which make up the composition of sulfa drugs.  So there should be no problem using Epsom Salts in the presence of sulfa drug allergy.

Question 10

why does epsom salts help strains?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium content: Muscle aches and strains may be prolonged or made worse by electrolyte  imbalances. Magnesium is  an important micronutrient for muscle activity, including heart muscle. Epsom salt soaks are thought to improve access of the  tissues to magnesium.

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Doctor answers about:

Epsom salts abscess

A member asked:

Hi, last friday i had an abscess cut and drained on my big toe where toe hairs typically grow. i've been told to soak it, should i use epsom salts?

A member asked:

Woke up this morning w/ painful bump the size of a grape near rectum. went to gyno & he said its a perianal abscess & gave me keflex 500mg 4x/day & told me to take epsom salt bath. pain is severe. should i wait and see or go to er in morning?

A member asked:

Out of epsom salt, can i soak my anal abscess in vinegar or table salt?

A member asked:

My one foot has been swollen since may ive been to the dr 3 times and nothing they subscribe is working im also getting abscesses more frequently i have one now i soaked in epsom salt bath an today i popped it w massive amounts of pus what iswrong?

A member asked:

Hi, can i take a bath that has isopropyl alcohol and epsom salts dissolved in warm water? i have a non-abcess thing on butt that's draining

A member asked:

What is the best way of healing a staph infection abcess that has been drained by the er? er follow-up said epsom salts baths md said keep covered

A member asked:

Epsom salts to soak a skin wound?

A member asked:

Will my herpes go away if i soak them in epsom salts?

A member asked:

If i am allergic to sulfa drugs, can i still use epsom salts?

A member asked:

Why does epsom salts help strains?

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