Maybe depends on which salve you bought. The instructions that came with my salve said to apply once, let fester, and then care for the wound properly. Clean twice a day and keep the edges covered with vasoline. Some people don't want to use vasoline, but I tried Vitamin E oil and had to apply several times per day. With Vasoline, only need to apply once a day. Are you cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, and keeping vasoline on the edges of the wound? This is very important for the eschar to come out.