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If you’re living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), you know how challenging it can be to treat the painful bumps and boils caused by this skin condition. In the search for relief, many people with HS look for a natural approach to manage boils caused by HS. One myHSteam member asked, “Has anyone had success using Prid drawing salve? I just bought some because I have a nasty eruption on its way, and I’m praying that this will bring the misery to a speedy conclusion.”
You too might have heard about Prid, a salve some people use as part of their at-home routine to reduce pain and other HS symptoms. As a homeopathic medicine, Prid is considered a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
When researchers gave a questionnaire to 303 people with HS, more than 80 percent of the respondents reported using some form of CAM, according to a 2020 study in JAMA Dermatology. The authors noted that there’s a lack of research to show how well CAM works for HS.
Prid is a topical homeopathic remedy that some people use to treat boils. According to the product label’s drug facts, Prid is a drawing salve that can be used to treat boils, minor skin eruptions, bites, superficial cuts, and scratches. The salve may help draw out splinters and ingrown hairs while temporarily relieving pain, itching, and irritation.
This homeopathic remedy can be used for people ages 6 and up. Prid is available over the counter at grocery stores and drugstores, as well as online from major retailers such as Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart.
Homeopathy, also called homeopathic medicine, was developed more than 200 years ago in Germany. This medical system is based on the theory that “like cures like” when given in very small doses.
Homeopathic medicines usually contain tiny amounts of substances that might cause symptoms similar to those that the remedy is treating. For example, a homeopathic medicine to treat inflammation may use a diluted sample of ingredients that cause irritation in healthy people.
A comprehensive review of research by the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia found no reliable evidence that homeopathic remedies were effective for any medical condition.
Currently, no products marketed as homeopathic have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or effectiveness. However, the FDA has issued consumer alerts for homeopathic products that have been contaminated or contain incorrect amounts of ingredients.
Before using Prid or other home remedies for HS, check with your doctor or dermatologist.
If you use Prid, do so exactly as directed. First wash the affected skin with a clean washcloth, soap, and warm water, and then gently pat dry. Apply Prid to your boil, and then cover the affected area with gauze or a bandage or Band-Aid. Do this twice a day until the irritation improves, then use Prid once daily for several days. You should not squeeze or put pressure on the irritated skin.
The thick ointment can be difficult to apply. Here’s a tip shared by a myHSteam member: “After a warm compress or shower, I use Prid. Apply enough to cover the center gently, as the skin warmth will help it melt and spread it.”
One member noted, “Prid works, but it’s messy.” Another added, “It will stain clothes, too. So even if you cover it, some leaks out. Wear your trash clothes when using that stuff.”
Several myHSteam members have used Prid with positive results. “I found that Prid really helped me out,” one member wrote. “I wash the boil really well, put Prid on, and then put a bandage on it. A couple of days later, no pain, and the boil was almost gone, or it came to a head. It was a lifesaver.”
No clinical trials have evaluated how well Prid or its ingredients treat skin conditions, including HS boils. Researchers have studied some of the natural active ingredients in Prid, but there’s not enough evidence to say for sure whether any of the ingredients are safe and effective for HS.
Here’s a look at some of Prid’s ingredients and how, based on their effects on other conditions, they may help HS symptoms.
Some studies suggest that Arnica montana may moderately improve symptoms like pain, swelling, and bruising after surgery or trauma, while other studies showed no improvement. When used to reduce pain from osteoarthritis, Arnica may be as effective as ibuprofen. A study on Arnica montana for osteoarthritis of the knee found that the gel was generally well tolerated with few side effects, but it posed a risk of allergic reactions.
Calendula officinalis has pain-relieving and wound-healing properties that may ease pain and help with wound healing, particularly ulcers or burns. Studies on animals and people have found that calendula may promote wound healing and reduce inflammation. Calendula is likely safe for most people but also carries a risk of allergic reactions.
Ichthammol ointment can act as a drawing salve and an anti-inflammatory agent, which may be healing. Derived from shale oil, ichthammol has been used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Ichthammol is generally well tolerated but can cause skin irritation. It also has a sulfurlike smell and can discolor skin and clothes.
Silicea may help draw out splinters, thorns, and ingrown hairs. A small study of 22 people with diabetic ulcers found that this homeopathic medicine may improve healing without significant side effects.
Echinacea angustifolia is added to Prid to help ease pain on the skin. Most studies on echinacea involve taking it by mouth for cold symptoms, but it has also been used topically to treat wounds and other skin problems. It may work by changing how immune cells function to reduce swelling and inflammation. Echinacea is likely safe for most people but can cause serious allergic reactions.
Sulfur is added to Prid to relieve itchiness, sores, and minor skin eruptions. This ingredient may have some antibacterial activity and help protect and soften the skin.
Hepar sulphuris calcareum (shortened to “hepar sulph calc” on Prid’s label) may help relieve pain and itching from boils. This homeopathic remedy is made by combining calcium from oyster shells with flowers of sulfur, then burning the mixture.
The inactive ingredients in Prid are listed as:
Beeswax, petrolatum, and glycerin may help protect skin boils. HS guidelines recommend applying petroleum jelly to wounds before covering them with a bandage. These ingredients can keep the wound moist and may reduce the risk of scarring.
Prid should only be used on intact skin. It should not be applied to:
According to the product label, you should stop using Prid and call your doctor if:
If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should consult your doctor before using Prid.
Like all medications, Prid can have side effects. Many of its active and inactive ingredients can irritate the skin. If you notice skin irritation or a new rash, stop using the salve and call your doctor.
A few myHSteam members have also shared that Prid can be messy to apply, may discolor clothing, and it has an unpleasant odor. One member wrote, “Prid is great, but it stains, and it stinks!”
Although all medications bring the risk of an allergic reaction, you should be especially cautious about using Prid if you’re allergic to ragweed or any related plants. Arnica, calendula, and echinacea are related to ragweed and may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
If you have any allergies, including seasonal allergies, check with your doctor before using Prid.
Some myHSteam members have had success using Prid for their HS symptoms. However, no studies have examined the safety and effectiveness of Prid for HS or any other condition. Additionally, this homeopathic remedy is not regulated by the FDA. Although the ingredients in Prid are safe for most people, they may cause allergic reactions in others, which can aggravate and worsen HS symptoms.
Talk to your doctor before using Prid — or any other home remedy or supplements — for HS boils. Your health care provider can help you work out the best regimen, including both medical treatments and home care, to give you the best quality of life with HS.
On myHSteam, the social network for people with hidradenitis suppurativa and their loved ones, more than 32,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with hidradenitis suppurativa.
Have you tried Prid? What home remedies have worked for your HS symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.
Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI
is an assistant professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois.
Learn more about him here.
Amanda Jacot, Pharm.D
earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2009 and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Texas College of Pharmacy in 2014.
Learn more about her here.
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I was diagnosed with HS in 2009. I have tried everything under the sun. I have tried boilease & prid they are basically the same. And yes while they do draw out the the problem that you put it on. But… read more
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