Abcess

 29 Februari 2016   

Abcess

An abscess is a tender mass generally surrounded by a colored area from pink to deep red. The middle of an abscess is full of pus and debris.

The most common sites are in your armpits , around your anus and vagina (Bartholin gland abscess), the base of your spine, around a tooth (dental abcess), and in your groin. Inflammation around a hair follicle can also lead to the formation of an abscess, which is called a boil (furuncle).

Abscesses are caused by obstruction of oil (sebaceous) glands or sweat glands, inflammation of hair follicles, or minor breaks of the skin. Germs get under the skin or into these glands, causes an inflammation

Abscess contains dead cells, bacteria, and other debris. Pressure and inflammation cause the pain.

Other risk factors for abscess include exposure to dirty environments, exposure to persons with certain types of skin infections, poor hygiene, and poor circulation.

Abcess symptoms

Painful, compressible mass that is red, warm and tender. If the infection spreads into deeper tissue, you may develop a fever and begin to feel ill.

Self care at Home

If the abscess is small applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times daily may help.
Do not try to drain the abscess by squeezing it. This can push the infected material into the deeper tissues.
Call your doctor if :

• You have a sore larger than 1 cm
• The sore enlarge and more painful
• The sore is on or near your rectal or groin
• You have a fever
• Medical treatment

The doctor may open and drain the abscess. The area around the abscess will be numbed with medication, cut open and drain the pus.

Maintain good personal hygiene by washing your skin with soap and water regularly. Once treated, the abscess should heal. After the first 2 days, drainage from the abscess should be minimal to none. All sores should heal in 10-14 days.