Abscess: symptoms, causes, to treatment options

Definition

What is an abscess?

Abscesses are sores that arise from a bacterial infection. When an infection occurs in the skin, pus and dirt will build up under the skin. Over time, a reddish lump will appear and feel painful to the touch. Well, this pus-filled lump is known as an abscess.

Not only on the skin, this disease can also appear on the inside of the body. In many cases, this disease is more common in the armpits, around the anus and vagina, on the lower part of your spine, around your teeth, and on the inside of your groin.

Inflamed hair follicles can also cause bumps to form. This is known as a boil (furunucle).

Most abscesses are harmless and can go away without treatment. Creams and over-the-counter medicines can speed up the healing process by drinking them. However, there are also lumps that are treated with lacerations or drainage.

In rare cases, this condition can cause serious complications that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

How common is this condition?

This is a common condition. Anyone can experience it, be it adults or children. You can avoid this disease by reducing the existing risk factors. Please consult a doctor for more information.

Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of an abscess?

Symptoms of an abscess are the appearance of red bumps on the skin. When touched the skin usually feels warm and soft. The lumps can also become enlarged and filled with pus over time and become more painful to touch.

This condition often appears as a lump on the skin, similar to a pimple. However, this condition can grow over time and resembles a fluid-filled cyst. Depending on the cause, the symptoms of the condition may vary.

Quoted from Web MD, the symptoms of an abscess are:

• When it develops, the shape will appear centered and you can see the inside. Then the lump will spontaneously burst.
• If left untreated, the infection will get worse. In fact, the infection can spread to the tissues under the skin and in the bloodstream.
• When the infection has spread to deeper tissues, you may have a fever and feel unwell (chills).

When should I see a doctor?

Contact a doctor if:

• You have a wound that is larger than 1 cm, or if the wound continues to get worse and feels more painful.
• The sores are located on or near the rectum or groin area.
• You have a fever above 38 ° C, especially if you have a chronic illness or are undergoing chemotherapy or dialysis procedures.
• There is a red streak spreading from the bump.

Cause

What causes an abscess?

The following are the most common causes of abscesses:

Bacteria

In most cases, the cause of the abscess is a bacterial infection. Staphylococcus is the most common abscess-causing bacteria.

When bacteria enter your body, your immune system sends white blood cells to fight infection-causing bacteria to the affected area. The white blood cells will then attack the bacteria.

During this process, some of the surrounding tissue dies, leaving a hole filled with pus. The pus itself consists of dead tissue, white blood cells, and bacteria.

Infected hair follicles

Infected hair follicles, also known as folliculitis, can cause lumps in the follicles. This condition can occur when the hair in the follicle is trapped and unable to penetrate the skin, as can happen after shaving.

Trapped hair follicles are commonly known as ingrown or ingrown hairs ingrown hair . This condition can lead to infection. The bumps often contain hair that has protruded into it.

Risk factors

What increases your risk of getting an abscess?

People with weakened immune systems are more at risk of developing certain abscesses. This is because the body's ability to ward off infection is reduced.

Some conditions that can increase your risk of getting an abscess are:

• Chronic steroid therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• AIDS
• Sickle cell anemia
• Peripheral vascular disorders
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Severe burns
• Severe trauma
• Alcoholism or drug abuse IV

Apart from the various factors mentioned above, poor sanitation and direct contact with infected people can also increase your risk of getting this disease.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the treatment options for an abscess?

Conditions that are classified as mild can heal on their own, or dry up and disappear without the need for special treatment. However, large lumps often require antibiotic treatment to fight infection.

The following is an explanation of the treatment options for treating abscesses:

Home remedies

You can treat this condition with self-care. Here are some tips you can do:

• If it is small (less than 1 cm), applying a warm compress to the affected area for about 30 minutes, 4 times a day can help.
• Don't try to dry the bumps by pressing on them. This can push infected material into deeper tissues.
• Do not stick a needle or other sharp instrument into the center of the abscess, as you could injure the underlying blood vessel or cause the infection to spread.

Medical treatment

The doctor may open and drain the abscess. Here's the explanation:

Drainage

See your doctor if the condition is persistent and does not heal with home methods. The doctor may drain the lump.

To drain the lump, your doctor will perform surgery by administering a numbing medication. The doctor will then cut the abscess to open and drain the fluid inside. This helps heal and prevents the abscess from recurring.

After the procedure, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent the wound from becoming infected.

Antibiotics

Severe cases are also generally treated with antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic, such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin if you have any of the following conditions:

• Abscess on the face, which has a higher risk of causing complications
• Cellulitis
• Have more than one abscess
• A compromised immune system

If your doctor suspects MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to be the cause of the abscess, you may be asked to take clindamycin or doxycycline to fight the infection.

Certain procedures can also be done to drain the pus. Usually, the doctor will drain the abscess by inserting a needle into the skin, or making a small incision in the infected area. Abscesses usually don't return after treatment.

What are the tests for the diagnosis of this condition?

To diagnose this disease, the doctor needs to look directly at the area affected by the infection. If it appears in the anal area, the doctor may order a rectal exam.

Meanwhile, if this disease appears in the arm or leg, the doctor will feel for lymph nodes either in your groin or under your arm.

The doctor may also take a fluid sample to test for the presence of bacteria. Usually, no other testing method is needed to diagnose this condition.

However, if you experience this disease repeatedly and your doctor feels there is another cause, you may be asked to undergo a urine test.

Home remedies

What are the home and lifestyle remedies that can be used to treat abscesses?

If you have an abscess that has not completely healed, do not use shared objects, such as equipment in a gym, sauna, or swimming pool, to prevent the bacteria that cause this disease from spreading to other people.

Do not try to remove the pus on your own, as this can lead to the spread of bacteria on the surrounding skin. Throw away all the wipes you used to clean pus, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

Prevention

How to prevent this disease?

Since most skin abscesses are the result of a bacterial infection of minor wounds, hair follicles, or oil or sweat glands, it's important to keep your skin clean and healthy. Here are a few tips:

• Wash your hands regularly and encourage your family to wash their hands regularly.
• Use each other's towels, don't borrow each other.
• Be careful when shaving so as not to injure your skin.
• All wounds must be thoroughly cleaned.
• Visit your doctor or emergency room immediately if you feel something under your skin.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.