Drawing salves are traditional topical preparations with a long history in folk medicine, frequently considered for issues ranging from splinters to boils. A common query involves their potential utility in addressing cysts, prompting a closer look at whether these remedies align with scientific understanding and medical best practices.
What is a Drawing Salve?
A drawing salve is a topical ointment traditionally used to “draw out” impurities, foreign objects, or infections from the skin. These preparations often include ichthammol, sulfur, bentonite clay, and activated charcoal, with plant-based additions like plantain, comfrey, or calendula.
The proposed mechanism involves absorption and osmosis, aiming to bring trapped substances to the skin’s surface. Most drawing salves are traditional remedies and are not regulated as pharmaceutical products. They should not be confused with “black salves,” which contain corrosive ingredients like zinc chloride or sanguinarine that can cause severe tissue damage.
Understanding Cysts
A cyst is a sac-like pocket of tissue that can form in nearly any part of the body or under the skin. These sacs are typically filled with fluid, air, pus, or other cellular material. Cysts differ from abscesses, which are collections of pus resulting from an infection.
Common types of cysts on or under the skin include epidermoid cysts, filled with keratin, and sebaceous cysts, containing sebum. Most cysts are benign, meaning non-cancerous.
The Claimed Mechanism Versus Scientific Evidence
Proponents of drawing salves often suggest they can “draw out” the contents of a cyst. However, this claimed mechanism lacks support from robust scientific evidence or peer-reviewed clinical trials demonstrating their efficacy in resolving cysts.
A fundamental aspect of a cyst is its distinct sac or capsule, which encloses the accumulated material. This sac is a defining structural characteristic of a true cyst. While a topical salve might help with superficial skin irritations, it cannot effectively penetrate and remove this internal sac.
Simply draining the contents of a cyst, whether manually or through a topical application, does not eliminate the sac itself. As long as the sac remains intact, the cyst is highly likely to refill with fluid or other material, leading to recurrence. Medical treatments for cysts aim to remove this entire sac to prevent the cyst from returning, a feat a topical drawing salve cannot achieve.
Risks and Medical Guidance for Cysts
Using drawing salves on cysts carries risks, including skin irritation, allergic reactions, and inflammation at the application site. If the skin barrier becomes compromised, there is also an increased risk of developing a secondary infection. Certain types of “black salves,” which are sometimes mistakenly associated with traditional drawing salves, contain highly corrosive ingredients that can cause severe skin damage, scarring, and even disfigurement.
Relying on drawing salves for cysts can also delay appropriate medical evaluation and treatment. If a cyst is painful, growing rapidly, shows signs of infection like redness or discharge, or causes significant cosmetic concern, medical consultation is appropriate. A healthcare professional can diagnose the type of cyst and recommend suitable interventions.
Medical treatments for cysts vary based on their type, size, and location. These may include drainage, where a doctor uses a needle to remove fluid, or surgical excision to remove the entire cyst, including its sac, which lowers the chance of recurrence. Steroid injections can reduce inflammation, and antibiotics may be prescribed if a cyst becomes infected. Self-treating cysts with unproven remedies can lead to complications and prolong discomfort.