What Is Abscess?

A skin abscess is a painful mass surrounded by a colored region that varies in color from pink to deep red. Touching an abscess can typically reveal the presence of an abscess. Infections are to blame for the vast majority of them. They’re filled with pus, bacteria, and debris on the inside. A skin abscess is a tender mass that is usually surrounded by a colored area that ranges from pink to deep red. Touching an abscess can typically reveal the presence of an abscess. Infections are to blame for the vast majority of them. They’re filled with pus, bacteria, and debris on the inside.

Abscesses, which are painful and warm to the touch, can appear anywhere on your body. The most common skin abscesses are in your armpits (axillae), areas around your anus and vagina (Bartholin gland abscess), the base of your spine (pilonidal abscess), around a tooth (dental abscess), and in your groin. Inflammation around a hair follicle can also result in the formation of an abscess, which is known as a boil (furuncle).

Antibiotics alone will not usually treat an abscess, unlike other infections. In order for an abscess to heal, it must first open and drain. Draining can happen on its own, but most of the time it needs to be opened with a warm compress or by a doctor in a process called incision and drainage (I&D).

Types of Abscess

Skin Abscess

Infections that cause pus to gather in the skin generate a skin abscess. Bacterial infections (most commonly Staphylococcus), infections of the hair follicle (folliculitis), boils, and minor cuts or injuries that get infected are examples of these. Abscesses of the skin can appear anywhere on the body.

Dental Abscess

This is a type of infection that starts in the pulp of a tooth and spreads to the root or bone structures that keep the tooth in place. When bacteria enter a tooth through an opening, such as a cavity caused by tooth decay or an injury that results in a fractured, chipped, or cracked tooth, the tooth becomes infected.

Abdominal Abscess

An abdominal abscess can form near or inside abdominal organs such as the liver, pancreas, or kidneys. Infections, ruptured organs (such as the appendix or ovary), and inflammatory bowel disease are all causes of an abdominal abscess (IBD).

Amebic Liver Abscess

This is a form of abscess produced by amebiasis, a parasitic infection of the intestine that can extend to the liver. The intestinal parasite Entamoeba histolytica causes the infection, which is transferred through food and water contaminated with the parasite’s feces. Amebiasis is especially common in crowded areas where sanitation is poor.

Bartholin Abscess (or Cyst)

This develops in the Bartholin glands on either side of the vaginal opening. The gland’s duct can become obstructed, causing fluid to accumulate over time, and perhaps leading to infection and the formation of an abscess.

Brain Abscess

A bacterial or fungal infection in a region of the brain causes a brain abscess. Seizures, loss of muscle function, and language impairments can all be caused by the abscess’s pressure. A brain abscess is a medical emergency that must be treated as soon as possible.

What Causes Abscess?

An abscess is caused by your immune system’s response to an infection or foreign object. Bacterial infections are the most common cause of an abscess, particularly one of the skin or mouth. Parasites can cause abscesses in your organs, which, while uncommon, can be a serious medical condition. An abscess can also be caused by a foreign object lodged inside you, such as a bullet. A variety of common disorders can result in an abscess, such as:

• Retained foreign body fragments after prior attempts to remove them, such as a thorn or a piece of metal that breaks off in your skin.
• A diverticular abscess is caused by an infected diverticulum in the large intestine.
• Infection at the previous surgical site (perioperative wound contamination)

Risk Factors of Abscess

Certain abscesses are more common in people who have weakened immune systems. Those who have any of the following conditions are at risk of developing more severe abscesses. This is due to the body’s decreased ability to fight infections.

• Steroid therapy for a long time
• Chemotherapy
• Cancer
• AIDS
• Sickle cell disease
• Disorders of the peripheral vascular system
• The disease Crohn’s
• Colitis ulcerative
• Burns that are extremely hot
• Trauma that is severe
• Abuse of IV drugs or alcoholism
• Obesity

Other risk factors for abscess include dirty environments, contact with people who have certain types of skin infections, poor hygiene, and poor circulation.

Symptoms of Abscess

An abscess is typically characterized by a painful, compressible mass that is red, warm to the touch, and tender. The symptoms of an abscess vary depending on the location of the abscess and the underlying disease, disorder, or condition. Skin symptoms that may occur in conjunction with an abscess. An abscess may be associated with skin symptoms such as:

• Fluid oozing or draining from the skin
• Pain on or around a lump
• Skin that is peeling or ulcerating
• Swelling, redness, or warmth

Other symptoms that may accompany an abscess

An abscess may be associated with symptoms from other body systems. Among these symptoms are:

• Lymph node enlargement
• Malaise or exhaustion
• Fever, chills, or excessive sweating
• Headache
• Joint discomfort
• Symptoms of neurological disease (if abscess presses on nerves or parts of the brain)
• Pain, such as a toothache in the case of a tooth abscess or abdominal pain in the case of an abdominal abscess
• Throat discomfort
• Appetite loss or rapid weight loss
• Vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea

Seek medical attention if you experience the following:

• You have a sore that is greater than 1 cm (half-inch) in diameter
• The sore grows bigger or gets more uncomfortable
• Your rectal or groin area has pain on or near it
• Red streaks appear, which could indicate that the illness is spreading
• Fever of 102 degrees or higher, especially if you have a chronic illness or are using steroids, chemotherapy, or dialysis
• A crimson streak leading away from the sore, or sensitive lymph nodes (lumps) somewhere between the abscess and your chest (for example, an abscess on your leg can cause swollen lymph nodes in your groin area)
• Any abscess on the face that is greater than 1 cm (half-inch) in diameter

How to Treat Abscess

The majority of abscess treatments focus on draining the collected pus and eradicating the infection that caused the abscess. Prescription medicines, aspiration or incision for drainage, surgery to remove an abscess, or a combination of these options are common treatments. Minor abscesses can often be treated at home; however, people with any type of immunodeficiency should seek medical help right once if they experience symptoms of abscess formation.

Self-Care Treatment for Abscess

Applying warm compresses to the abscess for 30 minutes four times a day may assist if it is tiny (less than 1 cm or half an inch across). Squeezing or pressing on the abscess will not help it drain. This can force the infectious material deeper into the tissues. Sticking a needle or other sharp tool into the abscess core risks injuring an underlying blood artery and spreading the infection.

Now that you Know…

Most skin abscesses are caused by bacteria invading the skin through a wound, a hair root, or a blocked sweat or oil gland. Maintaining good hygiene is the best approach to avoid skin abscesses. Follow these everyday behaviors to lower the number of bacteria on your skin and the risk of infection:

• Never share towels, washcloths, razors, and other objects that come into contact with your skin.
• Make it a habit for everyone in the household to wash their hands.
  To avoid nicks and cuts, use caution when shaving. If you cut yourself, get medical help right away.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

Other ways to prevent yourself from further health complications include:

• Eating a healthful, well-balanced diet
• Regular exercise is essential.
• Keeping a healthy weight is important.
• Smoking cessation or not smoking
• Getting annual physicals and routine screenings from your doctor