A drawing salve is a topical ointment traditionally used for managing minor, localized skin complaints. This thick, often dark-colored preparation is applied directly to the skin with the goal of encouraging an underlying issue to move toward the surface. Historically, these ointments were commonly known by their appearance, such as “black salve,” due to the color imparted by their active ingredients. The salve’s sticky, viscous consistency allows it to remain on the skin under a bandage, providing continuous, localized treatment.
Traditional Uses and Common Applications
Drawing salves have been used for generations to address superficial issues where a foreign object or localized infection is trapped beneath the skin. One of the most common applications is assisting in the removal of foreign bodies, such as small splinters, glass slivers, or thorns that are difficult to grasp with tweezers. The salve is intended to help the body naturally expel these irritants.
The preparation is also widely used for treating minor skin infections like boils, abscesses, or ingrown hairs. In these instances, the salve’s function is to help “bring the infection to a head,” facilitating the spontaneous drainage of pus. Traditional use extends to soothing localized inflammation caused by insect bites, stings, or minor irritations from plants like nettles or poison ivy.
Primary Components of Drawing Salve
The defining active ingredient in most commercial drawing salves today is Ichthammol, also known chemically as ammonium bituminosulfonate. This substance is derived from sulfur-rich shale oil and is typically found in concentrations ranging from 10% to 20% in the final ointment base. Ichthammol is responsible for the characteristic dark, reddish-brown to black color and distinct odor of the salve.
Beyond the primary active component, drawing salves contain various inactive ingredients that form the ointment base. These often include petrolatum and lanolin, which give the salve its thick, sticky texture and help moisturize the skin. Some traditional or herbal formulations may also incorporate ingredients like pine tar, activated charcoal, or bentonite clay, which possess mild absorbent properties.
How Drawing Salves Achieve Their Effect
The term “drawing” refers to the mechanism by which the salve appears to pull material toward the surface, though the action is not a literal suction. The effect is achieved through a combination of chemical properties that alter the local environment of the skin. Ichthammol, the main component, possesses mild keratolytic properties, meaning it can encourage the gentle shedding of the outermost layer of skin cells.
This action, combined with the occlusive nature of the ointment base, softens the skin and creates a localized, moist environment. Softening the skin barrier makes it easier for the body to push out a foreign object or for an abscess to drain naturally. Ichthammol also exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, helping to reduce swelling and discomfort by inhibiting inflammatory mediators.
The ingredients may also create an osmotic gradient, helping to encourage the localized movement of fluid, like pus, toward the skin surface.
Proper Application and Safety Considerations
For safe and effective use, the application area should first be cleansed thoroughly with mild soap and water. A generous, thick layer of the drawing salve should then be applied directly over the affected site, such as the area where a splinter is lodged or the head of a boil. It is important to cover the applied salve with a sterile bandage or gauze to keep it in place and prevent staining of clothing.
The application should generally be repeated once or twice daily, or as directed, until the issue resolves or the foreign object can be easily removed. Safety warnings advise against using the salve on deep puncture wounds, severe burns, or large areas of broken skin. If redness, swelling, pain, or irritation persists or worsens after a few days of use, it is important to discontinue use and consult a medical professional.