Drawing Salve

Myxoid cyst

     NOTE WELL: We are not talking about black salve, an alternative medicine ointment. Black salve, made from blood root, has been condemned in several countries. The ointment, also known as drawing salve, contains sanguinarine – derived from bloodroot – and is often mixed with zinc chloride, working as a corrosive. This paste is used on a topical area, moles, scars and sometimes cancer, it destroys skin tissue, leaving being a black scar which later falls off. Black salves were popular in the early 1900s to treat skin lesions, but have been listed as a fake cancer treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration since 2004. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has also condemned the ointments. In the early 2000s, interest in the use of drawing salve as a holistic treatment for cancerous tumors, in particular skin cancer made a resurgence. This product is dangerous. 

     Drawing salve is an ointment that can be used to treat a variety of skin inflammations such as infections, ingrown toenails, wood splinters, glass shards and insect poison. For generations this home remedy has been used to heal cuts, poison ivy, sores, and many other surface abrasions. 
     In the most popular brands of drawing salve the main ingredients as ichthammol, phenyl alcohol, arnica montana and several herbs such as echinacea, calendula, etc. These are combined with skin-enriching vitamin E, antiseptic bergamot oil, and anti-inflammatory comfrey oil, in a base of beeswax. 
     Ichthammol, the most active ingredient, is considered a medicine in some countries and is natural substance found in the rock, schist. It softens skin by weakening it slightly, which increases circulation. When more blood goes to the area, the wound will heal faster by ejecting any pus or irritant. 
     Arnica montana is a homeopathic topical pain relief agent. Its mechanism of action is not well known, bit it promotes wound healing and has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. 
     Promoters of echinacea say that the herb encourages the immune system. When applied topically it is capable of phagocytosis, a process of devouring damaged cells, bacteria, and other microorganisms that cause infection.
     Calendula has antiseptic properties, which are helpful for treating wounds and preventing acne. 
     Drawing salve became successful during the period of widely advertised medicinals and balms of the late 1800s. Catchy slogans, bright packaging, and sworn testimonials from satisfied customers lwas the draw, so to speak. Drawing salve is still commonly used in modern times and it should be a staple in medicine cabinets. 

     All of which rings me to PRID drawing salve which advertisements say helps draw out irritations from under the skin caused by splinters, boils, thorns, ingrown hairs, bug bites and more. It provides temporary topical relief of pain and irritations associated with boils, minor skin eruptions and redness. PRID is a homeopathic formula with natural active ingredients 
    For a the last year or so I have had what is called a digital myxoid cyst on my left hand. They are a benign, non-cancerous swelling that usually occurs at the base of the nail on the fingers or toes. The exact cause is not known. 
     The cyst is frequently connected to the lining of the finger or toenail joint and is usually located between the joint and the nail. They are skin-colored, reddish or slightly translucent. If a cyst overlies the area where the nail is formed, as was the case with mine, it may cause a groove to occur along the length of the nail. Sometimes, slightly sticky, clear, straw-colored or blood-stained contents may leak out of the cyst. 
     Most people usually develop only one cyst. However, some people may develop more than one cyst on different fingers. The cyst is usually not painful. However, a cyst may become tender, especially when hit. Indeed...mine did. 
     If a digital myxoid cyst does not cause any symptoms, no treatment is required. Small cysts can disappear spontaneously without treatment and they may come back even after treatment. If treatment is considered necessary, there are a number of options. 
     I, or rather my wife, jabbed it with a sterile needle and squeezed the gel out. But, this only worked for a few days and then it was back bigger and more sore than ever. The next step was to get an appointment with dermatology at the hospital which proved impossible because they are booked so far out. In fact, I left a message and they were supposed to call me back, but they never did.
     That’s where PRID comes in. Two days after application and covering with a Band-Aid, the soreness was gone and the swelling was down. And, in a few more days almost all signs of the cyst were gone. 
     This is a highly recommended first aid product that should be in your medicine cabinet.