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Epsom salts, like most salts, has the effect of being a desiccant, or water absorber. When the Epsom is dissolved in water, the salinity of the water increases. And when it exceeds the salinity of the bacterium, it will osmotically draw water out of the bacterium, thus desiccating it. As such, this makes a slightly undesirable habitat for the bacteria. Epsom salts won't actually draw out infection, nor is it a very good antiseptic.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThere are two schools of thought on this matter. One is that soaking in epsom salts (otherwise known as magnesium sulfate) does, in fact, draw out infection. The chemical and physiological explanation is that the magnesium sulfate concentration in the water surrounding the injury tends to draw fluid out of the body, so you'll notice that your skin is dryer after soaking in epsom salts. This same reaction helps to draw infected drainage out of a wound.
The second school of thought is that the salt really doesn't matter and that it's the act of soaking the wound, thereby keeping it open and draining and inhibiting clotting that increases healing ability. When the wound closes around an infection, it creates an abcess that has to be lanced and drained, so keeping it open is a good thing.
Either way, soaking a potentially infected wound in either warm water or an epsom salt solution is a good idea.
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Will epson salt draw pus out of an infection?
it is a salt and salt draws moisture. I have personally used epsom salt to draw infection out of things like splinters and small puncture wounds.
Can a hot compress make the pus go down?
A warm compress is used to draw pus to the surface and onto the compress material. It should be as warm as bearable, rather than too hot to cause scalding. Change the compress frequently, and only use a new compress as a replacement. Don't wash and reuse a compress to avoid further infection.
Will epsom salt make water colder?
Yes Epsom salt will make water colder because it uses the water's natural heat energy to split apart ionic bonds of magnesium and sulfate. At this point the solution would be considered endothermic because more heat energy is being used than is being produced. This is why Epsom salts are used to soak a sprained ankle and to draw heat out of an injury.
Epsom salt on your lawn?
Also works great to fertilize flowers and plants - same formula should apply to lawn! http://www.ehow.com/how_5016008_grow-flowers-epsom-salt.html Kathy Yes Epsom salt is great for your lawn. It is not a salt it is a magnesium sulfate it activates the nitrogen in the soil to make the grass grow thick and green. The roots go deeper to get water. One draw back is you will need to cut the grass more often.
How do you draw out infection out of a bite?
There are many ways to draw out an infection, from a bite wound. A person can squeeze the infected area, and push it out, they can use peroxide, or rubbing alcohol.
What do you use to treat HOT SPOTS on dogs?
You did the right thing by removing the hair and oozing crust. Did you use epsom salt and water? Never heard of using table salt and water. Epsom salts help draw out imperfections and pus and dry the oozing areas. I would clean the area with betadine, then put on Nu-Stock. This is a healing sulphur/oil based salve (from feed store for livestock) and it is great at healing and it also promotes hair regrowth. Good luck. These can be so uncomfortable for the dog.
Does soaking in a bath with Epsom Salt in it draw toxins out of your body?
The toxins are taken out of the body by perspiration from the hot bath, to the extent that any are lost at all.
How do you draw infection out of a dog bite on a dog?
Go to a veterinarian immediatelyyour dog could die
What is burdock used for in warriors?
Leaves may be chewed and applied to wounds that are clear of infection to speed healing. Roots may be chewed and applied to a wound to draw infection from it.
What can you apply to the skin if it is red after swimming many hours in chlorinated water and the chlorine burns on your skin from swimming?
Shower or bathe to wash off the chlorine, then apply a cortisone cream, you might be allergic to the chlorine. Oral benadryl might help. If no improvement, go tp the ER/ When you swim in a pool during the day the sun reflects off the water so a burn is more likely to occur to the individual. Mix 1 cup of Epsom Salts (NOT LIKE TABLE SALT AND WON'T STING) with boiling water to melt the crystals. Run a TEPID BATH (body temp) and pour the mixture of Epsom Salts in the bath water and soak for a good 20 minutes. This will draw out the burn and is also great for sore muscles or itchy rashes. Got some news for ya. Those burns are not from chlorine even if those levels were at 10 ppm or higher.
What gas is used in pumping up tires?
If you're actually using a pump, that pump will just about always simply draw air from the surrounding atmosphere, compress it and push it into the tire.
Can you boil rubbing alcohol?
I am not sure about using alcohol; however, I can share with you depending on where the boil is located, soaking the area in warm water with Epsom salts, or a warm sitz bath is very effective in bringing the boil to a head. Hydrogen Peroxide is helpful if the boil is open. Many boils have to be lanced to allow the puss and infection to be released, whereby, the warm water/Epsom salt soaks/baths are more effective. The Epsom salt and warm water help to draw out the puss and encourage healing.
