Doctors who remove abscesses include Primary Care Providers (PCPs), Emergency Medicine Specialists, Dermatologists, and General Surgeons, with Interventional Radiologists handling deeper abscesses, while a Dentist or Endodontist treats tooth abscesses; the specific doctor depends on the abscess's location and severity.
An abscess occurs when bacteria accumulate beneath the skin, resulting in the formation of pus. Eventually, the pus and bacteria create a raised pocket that may continue to grow until drained and treated. Also known as boils, abscesses are easily treated by a general surgeon in the comfort of the doctor's office.
Pediatric abscess treatment typically involves antibiotics and drainage, with the method depending on the abscess's size, location, and severity; simple skin abscesses might only need warm compresses and drainage (sometimes by a doctor). Deeper or severe abscesses, like peritonsillar or psoas, often require hospital admission for IV antibiotics and drainage (needle aspiration or incision), sometimes under sedation or anesthesia. Follow-up care with a doctor is crucial to ensure complete healing.
Treating an abscess
You can usually have the procedure with a local anaesthetic medicine. This means that you do not feel any pain during the surgery.
The abscess may need be drained to get rid of the pus. This usually involves a small operation to make a cut in the skin which will allow the pus to drain. You may be given a local anaesthetic so you do not feel anything when the abscess is drained. You may also be given antibiotics if the abscess is infected.
If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw, throat or neck or even to other areas of your body.
Types of skin abscesses include: Armpit abscess: An armpit abscess can occur when pus collects in your armpit. One common cause of armpit abscesses is a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa. Hidradenitis suppurativa causes red, tender bumps in the skin of your armpits that can turn into abscesses over time.
Abscess incision and drainage are considered minor surgery. In most cases, you will remain awake and receive only a local anesthetic to numb the area around the abscess before the procedure.
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.
But you may have some mild pain in your anal area from the incision for several days after the surgery. Most people can go back to work or their normal routine 1 or 2 days after surgery. It will probably take about 3 to 8 weeks for the abscess to completely heal. Most people get better without any problems.
It can form after germs, usually bacteria, get into a cut in the skin and cause an infection. When bacteria get into a cut, the body's immune system sends white blood cells to fight the infection. It's these white blood cells that can collect and make pus.
Pus is the buildup of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other foreign substances. Abscesses can form in almost any part of the body. The skin, under the skin, and around the teeth are the most common sites. Abscesses may be caused by bacteria, parasites, and foreign substances.
Blood may be drawn to look for signs of infection or an abscess. Very useful tests are those that look at the number of white blood cells and other signs of inflammation. Imaging tests. The best imaging test to check for an abscess is usually a CT scan of the belly.
In percutaneous abscess drainage, an interventional radiologist uses imaging guidance (CT, ultrasound or fluoroscopy) to place a thin needle into the abscess to obtain a sample of the infected fluid from an area of the body such as the chest, abdomen or pelvis.
Heat Therapy: When It's Time to Drain
Moist heat softens the skin and encourages drainage, helping the abscess heal more quickly.
There are three types of abscesses — skin, mouth and internal abscesses. At Modern Urgent Care, we treat the most common type of abscess which forms on the skin. Also called a cutaneous abscess or boil, skin abscesses are highly treatable.
Some cysts may not require treatment, but if a cyst is causing pain or discomfort, it may need to be removed. Abscesses are often painful infections that need treatment to relieve pain and prevent the spread of infection.
If the infection spreads, you may also develop a high temperature (fever) and feel generally unwell. In severe cases, you may find it hard to fully open your mouth and have difficulty swallowing or breathing.
An abscess forms when your immune system walls off an infection, usually bacterial (like Staph), creating a pocket filled with pus (bacteria, white blood cells, dead tissue) that can't drain, often entering through cuts, follicles, or blocked glands. While bacteria are the main culprit, fungi, parasites, or blocked ducts can also cause them, leading to painful, swollen, red lumps, and sometimes deeper internal abscesses from surgery or existing conditions.
Contraindications to Incising and Draining an Abscess
Abscesses close to major neurovascular structures (eg, the axilla, antecubital fossa, posterior knee, groin area, neck) Abscesses that are difficult to adequately expose or explore because of location (eg, perirectal abscess)
We can drain abscesses under local anaesthetic (you are awake) or under general anaesthetic (being put to sleep). This will depend on the size of the abscess, where it is on your body and any health conditions that you may have.
Armpit lumps are often a sign of infection that may require antibiotics. Some lumps are due to skin issues and need to be removed. Rarely, an armpit lump can be a sign of cancer. If you're worried about a lump, the best thing to do is contact your healthcare provider.
Warm Compresses: Apply a warm compress to the abscess for 20 minutes, a few times a day. The heat can help the abscess drain naturally. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: An over-the-counter remedy can help control pain and bring down swelling.
Abscesses can cause pain, swelling and inflamed or red skin. Although most abscesses do not result in complications, if they are left untreated they could result in an emergency situation. Visit the closest emergency room if you have pain that you cannot control at home.