If it is an infection or abscess that is not 'mature' then the time is not quite right for hepar sulph, and you may need to try belladonna first. If belladonna moves the abscess to the next stage so that there is pus forming, then hepar sulph is called for. A hardness will build up in the abscess as the inflammation builds. When the inflammation is on its way out through the skin (or is being absorbed by the lymphatic system), then one can consider using silica, which helps push out the last unwanted matter and helps the wound to heal from below and up, protecting the wound from infection.

Hepar sulph is also used when coughing up inflamed and foul-smelling mucus from the lungs. It is also used for cold sores that bleed.

When you need hepar sulph, you experience a hypersensitivity to everything: pain, touch, cold, noise, exhaustion. Think about the feeling of a badly inflamed toe and how sensitive that is. It is one of the chilliest remedies and they are very sensitive to cold.

Emotionally, it is a violent and intense state. The pain stings and is like splinters (see ang nit). In throat infections it feels like there is a splinter in the throat, which is felt when swallowing.

Feel better from heat, humidity, and lying in a warm bed. Feel worse when the smallest amount of cold air comes under the blanket and anything cold.

In short: Yellow pus. Irritation. Pain that feels like splinters. Very sensitive to cold.

Other helpful hints: You may find that there is a lot of inflammation right when you start using it (always at low potency). Contact a practitioner if the inflammations does not go away.