Benign Skin Lesions

Abscess

What is an abscess?
An abscess is a pocket of pus inside an enclosed space in any part of the body. An abscess occurs when tissue becomes infected. To keep the infection from spreading to the rest of the body, it becomes walled off by surrounding tissue. White blood cells collect within the damaged tissue. Pus, an accumulation of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other foreign invaders or materials, forms during this process.

Where do abscesses occur?
An abscess can form pretty much anywhere in and on the body and can be very visible, usually raised and painful. Abscesses can cause significant damage if affecting any vital organs. Causes include bacteria, parasites, and foreign materials.

Can abscess be prevented from forming?
Prevention depends on both location and cause of the abscess. The first step of prevention is good hygiene. Bad hygiene can cause unusual bacterial and fungal abscesses. Internal abscesses may be the result of long standing problems or can occur in more severe forms, such as appendicitis.

What are the symptoms of an abscess?
The symptoms vary depending on the location of the abscess. Usually, it's painful and may cause fever and chills.

How is an abscess diagnosed?
If it is superficial, it can be diagnosed with a simple examination. If there is doubt, a needle may be inserted into the inflamed area to look for pus. Deeper abscesses may be seen on a CT scan or MRI.

Are any special tests done once the abscess is found?
The pus from the abscess may be cultured to see what type of bacteria or fungus is causing the infection. This can aid the doctor is prescribing the appropriate antibiotic for treatment.

How is an abscess treated?
An abscess is usually drained. Antibiotics or antifungal will also be used for treatment.

Can an abscess be treated just with medication?
In general, an abscess will require surgical drainage and treatment with medication. Without draining the infection, the abscess probably won't go away.

What is the prognosis for an abscess?
The prognosis depends on where the abscess is located. A superficial abscess will clear if treated appropriately. An internal abscess must be taken very seriously, as it can cause complications and occasional death.

What do I do if I think I have an abscess?
The earlier it is treated, the better. See your health care provider as soon as possible so that the abscess does not continue to grow.