Turpentine Ointment in Bacterial Skin Infections: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Background: Turpentine-containing substances are considered effective in treating cutaneous bacterial infections, but reliable clinical data are scant.

Objective: We investigated the efficacy and safety of an ointment containing larch turpentine (from Larix decidua), eucalyptus oil (from Eucalyptus globulus), and turpentine oil (from Pinus pinaster) in outpatients with painful skin abscesses in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Intervention: 116 outpatients with skin abscesses used verum or placebo for 10 days.