abscess

Overview

An abscess is a painful collection of pus, usuallycaused by a bacterial infection. Abscesses candevelop anywhere in the body.

An abscess can be painful and warm to touch,and can appear anywhere on your body. Thisarticle focuses on two types of abscess:Skin Abscesses: which develop under the skinInternal Abscesses: which develop inside thebody, in an organ or in the spaces betweenorgans

Other types

There are many other types of abscess not fullycovered here, including:

Anorectal abscess - a build-up of pus in therectum and anus

Bartholin's abscess - a build-up of pus insideone of the Bartholin's glands, which are foundon each side of the opening of the vagina

Brain abscess - a rare but potentially

life-threatening build-up of pus inside the skull

Dental abscess - a build-up of pus under atooth or in the supporting gum and bone

Quinsy (peritonsillar abscess) - a build-up ofpus between one of your tonsils and the wallof your throat

Pilonidal abscess - a build-up of pus in theskin of the cleft of the buttocks

Spinal cord abscess- a build-up of pusaround the spinal cord

Sign and symptoms

As an abscess develops, it becomes a painful,soft, swelling that is red, warm to touch, andtender. Most abscesses will continue to getworse without care. The infection can spreadto the tissues under the skin and even into thebloodstream. If the infection spreads into deepertissue, you may develop a fever and begin to feelill

Causes

Abscesses are caused by obstruction ofoil-producing (sebaceous) glands or sweatglands, inflammation of hair follicles, or fromminor breaks and punctures of the skin. Bacteriaget under the skin or into these glands, whichcauses an inflammatory response as your body'sdefences try to kill the bacteria.

Who's at riska

Abscesses can occur in anyone and occuranywhere on the body. You might be able tosense fluid in an abscess when you press on theabscess with a finger.

When to seek medical care

A worsening red, tender swelling should promptyou to make an appointment with your physicianas soon as possible. If the area involves yourface, is spreading rapidly, or is in an area thatseverely limits your functionality, you should seekemergency care.

Diagnosis

A sample of pus may be taken from your abscessand sent for testing. This allows the specificabacteria causing the abscess to be identified,which can help determine the best way of treatingit.

Treatment(Consult your doctor beforetaking any Medication)

A small skin abscess may drain naturally, orsimply shrink, dry up and disappear withoutany treatment. However, larger abscesses mayneed to be treated with antibiotics to clear theinfection, and the pus may need to be drained.This will usually be done either by inserting aneedle through your skin or by making a smallincision in the skin over the abscess. If yoursymptoms are not improving or it is determinedthat the bacterium is not one of the commontypes, your doctor may prescribe differentantibiotics. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics,it is important to take the entire course asprescribed, even if you are feeling better or theinfection appears to be gone after just a fewdays. If you have been taking antibiotics andthe infection itself or the way you are generallyfeeling have not improved in about 2-3 days,return to see your doctor.

Self-care guidelines

There are no self-care options for abscesses.While waiting to see your doctor, you can tryapplying a warm compress to the affected areaand take ibuprofen to help with the swelling and pain.

Prevention

Maintain good personal hygiene by washingyour skin with soap and water regularly.

Take care to avoid nicking yourself whenshaving your underarms or pubic area.

Seek immediate medical attention for anypuncture wounds, especially if:

You think there may be some debris in thewound.

Puncture wound was caused by a bite -human, insect or animal.