Drawing salves are topical ointments used for centuries, based on the belief they can “draw out” impurities, foreign objects, or infections from the skin. This traditional remedy is applied to various skin ailments, with users expecting it to bring underlying issues to the surface. Their long history has led to a common perception of effectiveness for minor skin concerns.
Understanding Drawing Salves and Their Uses
Drawing salves are typically thick, dark pastes or ointments. They are commonly applied to the skin for issues like splinters, boils, ingrown hairs, and insect bites. Users anticipate these salves will help expel foreign bodies or clear infections by encouraging them to surface.
Common ingredients vary but often include ichthammol, a dark, tar-like substance from shale oil known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Other ingredients may include magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), bentonite clay, activated charcoal, pine tar, and herbal extracts such as plantain, calendula, or yarrow. These components are chosen for their traditional soothing, anti-inflammatory, and irritant-removing properties.
The Scientific View on Effectiveness and Risks
Despite their historical use, scientific research on the effectiveness of many drawing salves for their claimed purposes is limited. While some ingredients, like ichthammol, have recognized antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, there is a lack of rigorous clinical testing to support the broad “drawing out” claims. Drawing salves generally do not literally “suck” foreign objects or infections from the skin. Instead, ingredients like ichthammol may create a moist environment that softens the skin, potentially making it easier for objects or pus to surface. Activated charcoal and bentonite clay possess absorbent properties, which might bind to impurities on the skin’s surface.
Using drawing salves carries potential risks, including skin irritation and allergic reactions to various ingredients. Infection is a significant concern, especially if applied to an open wound or if the application is unsterile. Many drawing salves are also unregulated by health authorities, meaning their ingredients, manufacturing, and efficacy claims are not consistently scrutinized. A particularly dangerous type, often confused with traditional drawing salves, is “black salve.” These contain corrosive ingredients like bloodroot and zinc chloride, which can indiscriminately destroy healthy and cancerous tissue. This leads to severe chemical burns, permanent scarring, tissue death, and delays proper medical diagnosis and treatment for serious conditions like skin cancer.
Safe Practices and When to See a Doctor
For minor skin issues like small cuts or scrapes, proper wound care involves washing hands thoroughly and cleaning the affected area with water and mild soap. Remove any visible dirt or debris with cleaned tweezers, taking care not to push objects deeper. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist, then cover it with a sterile bandage to prevent contamination. Change the bandage at least once daily or whenever it becomes wet or dirty.
Professional medical attention is necessary if signs of infection appear, such as increasing redness, swelling, warmth, persistent pain, or pus draining from the wound. A fever (100.4°F or higher) accompanying a skin issue also signals the need for a doctor’s visit. Deeply embedded foreign objects, large or gaping wounds, or those that do not stop bleeding after 10 minutes of direct pressure, or wounds that might require stitches, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Prompt medical consultation ensures proper removal of foreign objects and effective infection treatment, preventing complications.