ABCESSES
DEFINITION
An abscess is a collection of pus underneath the skin or inside
your body. Abscesses usually form because of an infection or
because a foreign object becomes trapped in your body. When
your body fights an infection or tries to destroy a foreign object
trapped inside, white blood cells fill the affected tissues, and the
resulting fluid is called pus.
TYPES
The most common types of abscess are:
Skin abscess, caused by infections that result in pus collecting in
the skin. These can include infections from bacteria (most
commonly Staphylococcus), infections in the hair follicle (folliculitis),
boils, or minor wounds or injuries that become infected. Skin abscesses
can form anywhere on the body.
Dental abscess, which can form in the center of a tooth (the pulp)
and spread to the root or bone structures that hold the tooth. A tooth
can become infected when bacteria get in through an opening, such as
a cavity caused by tooth decay or an injury that results in a broken,
chipped or cracked tooth.
Less common types of abscess include:
Abdominal abscess, which can be near or inside abdominal organs such as
the liver, pancreas or kidneys. Causes of abdominal abscess include infections,
burst organs (such as appendix or ovary), and inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD).
Amebic liver abscess, a type caused by amebiasis, an intestinal infection that
can spread to the liver. The infection results from the intestinal parasite
Entamoeba histolytica, which is spread through food and water contaminated
with feces containing the parasite. Amebiasis is most common in crowded
populations with poor sanitation.
Anorectal abscess, located in or near the anus or rectum, most commonly caused
by sexually transmitted diseases, infection of anal fissures, blocked glands, or trauma
to the area.
Bartholin abscess (or cyst), which can form in the Bartholin glands located on
each side of the opening of the vagina. The duct from the gland can become blocked,
causing fluid to build up over time, potentially leading to an infection and formation
of an abscess.
Brain abscess, typically the result of a bacterial or fungal infection in part of the
brain. The pressure created by the abscess can cause serious brain issues, including
seizures, loss of muscle function, and language problems. A brain abscess is a
medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Peritonsillar abscess, a potentially life-threatening complication of tonsillitis, an
infection of the tonsils. Most often, this infection is caused by the bacteria group A
beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, the same bacteria that cause strep throat. However,
peritonsillar abscess is rare due to the use of antibiotics to quickly and effectively
treat tonsillitis.
Pyogenic liver abscess, which is simply an area on the liver that produces pus. This
can result from many types of abdominal infection, an infection of the tubes that drain
bile, or trauma to the liver.
Spinal cord abscess, a very rare result of an infection inside the spine. When it does
occur, it is most often a complication of an epidural abscess.
CLINICAL FEATURES
Oozing or drainage of a fluid from the skin
Pain on or around a lump
Peeling or ulcerating skin
Redness, warmth or swelling
Enlarged lymph nodes
Fatigue or malaise
Fever, chills or sweating
Headache
Joint pain
Loss of appetite or rapid weight loss
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Neurological symptoms (if abscess presses on nerves or parts of the brain)
Pain, such as a toothache for a tooth abscess or abdominal pain for an abdominal
abscess
CAUSES
Foreign object trapped inside you, such as a thorn or piece of metal that
breaks off in your skin; also, retained foreign body fragments after
previous attempted removal
Infected diverticulum in the large intestine can cause a diverticular
abscess
Infection at the site of previous surgery (perioperative wound
contamination)
Skin infection may result in an abscess
Exams and Tests
The doctor will take a medical history and may ask you:
How long the abscess has been present
If you recall any injury to that area
What medicines you may be taking
If you have any allergies
If you have had a fever at home
TREATMENT
Abscess Treatment: Self-Care at Home
If the abscess is small (less than 1 cm or less than a half-inch across),
applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times
daily may help.
Do not attempt to drain the abscess by squeezing or pressing on it. This
can push the infected material into the deeper tissues.
Do not stick a needle or other sharp instrument into the abscess center,
because you may injure an underlying blood vessel or cause the
infection to spread.
When to Seek Medical Care
Call your doctor if any of the following occur with an abscess:
You have a sore larger than 1 cm or a half-inch across.
The sore continues to enlarge or becomes more painful.
The sore is on or near your rectal or groin area.
You develop a fever.
You notice red streaks, which can mean the infection is spreading.
You have any of the medical conditions listed above.
Medical Treatment
The doctor may open and drain the abscess.
The area around the abscess will be numbed with medication. It is often difficult to
completely numb the area, but local anesthesia can make the procedure almost
painless.
The area will be covered with an antiseptic solution and sterile towels placed around
it.
The doctor will cut open the abscess and totally drain it of pus and debris.
Once the sore has drained, the doctor may insert some packing into the remaining
cavity to allow the infection to continue to drain. It may be kept open for a day or two.
A bandage will then be placed over the packing, and you will be given instructions about
home care.
Most people feel better immediately after the abscess is drained.
If you are still experiencing pain, the doctor may prescribe pain pills for home use over the
next 1-2 days.
You are usually sent home with oral antibiotics.
THANK YOU
