Since 1880.
Ichthammol Ointment, 20% Drawing Salve
Read use and safety informationShips within 1 to 2 business days after payment is confirmed. Free shipping on orders of $50 or more.
Product details & pharmacist guidance
Before antibiotics, ichthammol was how infections were stopped.
The black salve that draws out splinters, boils, and buried infections. 1 oz.
Questions about suitability or interactions? Ask a pharmacist.Follow the label.
- Clean the area thoroughly with soap and water
- Apply a generous, thick layer directly on the affected area
- Cover with a bandage or gauze. The ointment must stay in contact.
- Leave for 8 to 12 hours, overnight is ideal
- Remove, clean, and reapply as needed. Most cases resolve in 1 to 3 applications.
Uses and precautions.
Common uses
- Splinters broken off below the skin surface
- Boils and abscesses, draws them to a head for natural drainage
- Ingrown hairs that are infected or inflamed
- Insect bites developing deep painful lumps
Use with caution
- Not for deep puncture wounds. See a doctor.
- If red streaks extend from the wound or fever develops, seek medical care immediately.
- If the problem is not resolving in 3 to 4 applications, come see Fairview.
This product is new to the shop. Verified customer reviews will appear here as they come in. Have a question before then? Ask Dr. Mike.
Complete the medicine cabinet.
Why this still exists at Fairview.
Ichthammol has been used in pharmacy since the 1880s. It looks like black tar. It smells medicinal and strong. And it does something no modern OTC product can fully replicate. It draws foreign material, infection, and debris to the surface of the skin through osmotic and anti inflammatory action.
For a buried splinter tweezers cannot reach. For a boil that keeps swelling without coming to a head. For an ingrown hair that is getting infected. For an insect bite developing a hard, painful lump. Ichthammol is the pharmacist's first recommendation.
Apply it. Cover it. Leave it overnight. In most cases, by morning, the problem has moved to the surface where it can be addressed.
Ichthammol is one of those products I keep stocked because nothing modern does what it does. The drawing action is real. The osmotic mechanism pulls infection and foreign material toward the surface, and the anti inflammatory effect reduces surrounding tissue reaction. Apply it thick, cover it completely, leave it overnight. If it is not resolving in 3 to 4 applications, come see me.
Dr. Mike Acheampong, PharmD, MPH. Fairview Pharmacy, Hattiesburg, MS.
Questions, answered.
Is this the original formula, or a modern reformulation?
This is the original formulation. Fairview sources every heritage product direct from the manufacturer to confirm authenticity. We do not stock relabeled or reformulated alternatives. If you have been using this product for decades, this is the same one you remember.
How soon will my order ship?
Orders ship within 1 to 2 business days from our pharmacy in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. You will receive a tracking number once your package leaves the pharmacy. Free shipping on kits and orders $50+.
What is your return policy?
Refunds are available within 30 days of delivery or pickup for unopened, nonprescription products with proof of purchase. Opened medications and supplements are individually reviewed by a pharmacist. Damaged, defective, or incorrect orders qualify for a refund or replacement.
Can I take this with my prescription medications?
Some heritage products, particularly the iron containing tonics and any product with alcohol, can interact with prescription medications. We strongly recommend a free pharmacist consultation before ordering if you take any prescription medication. Call or use the Ask the Pharmacist form on the site.
Is this safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Heritage remedies vary in pregnancy safety. Topical products like Bag Balm and Bactine are generally considered safe. Iron tonics and any product containing alcohol require physician guidance during pregnancy. Before ordering during pregnancy or breastfeeding, please request a free pharmacist consultation so we can review your specific product.
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