Skin Abscess

Getting to know skin abscesses

A skin abscess is a pocket filled with pus, similar to a pimple, but larger under the skin. Skin abscesses can occur on all parts of the body, including in the armpits, breasts, around the anus and buttocks. This disease occurs frequently and attacks people of all ages. Skin abscesses form when the body tries to protect itself from infection by creating a wall around it. The pus contains bacteria, white blood cells and dead skin. The most common bacteria are Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Healthy people have this bacteria on their skin but do not experience infections. However, when bacteria penetrate the skin through a wound, they can cause an abscess.

Signs and symptoms

A skin abscess is in the form of a round lump and feels firm and slippery because of the thick membrane around it and the presence of pus fluid inside. It is usually painful, and the overlying skin is often red. Skin abscesses can worsen without treatment. The infection can spread to the tissue under the skin and even into the bloodstream. If the infection spreads to deeper tissue, symptoms of fever will appear.

Treatment of Skin Abscess at Home

Treatment for skin abscesses can be done at home if the abscess is small (less than 1 cm or less than half an inch), by applying a warm compress to the abscess area for about 30 minutes, 4 times a day. Do not try to drain the abscess by squeezing or squeezing it. This can push infected material into deeper tissues. Do not insert a needle or other sharp instrument into the center of the abscess, as this can injure the underlying blood vessels or cause the infection to spread.

Medical Assistance

• We need to see a doctor if the following occurs along with a skin abscess, namely:
• An abscess that is more than 1 cm or half an inch wide.
• The abscess continues to grow or becomes more painful.
• An abscess in or near the anus or groin area.
• An abscess on the face that is more than 1 cm or half an inch wide.
• High fever.
• There is an area of ​​redness that extends beyond the wound indicating the infection is spreading.
• Sufferers of chronic diseases or undergoing steroid treatment, chemotherapy, or dialysis.
• There are swollen lymph nodes (for example, an abscess in the leg can cause swollen lymph nodes in the groin area).

How to Make a Diagnosis of Skin Abscess

The doctor will ask about other symptoms accompanying the skin abscess and perform a physical examination. The doctor may perform supporting examinations such as ultrasonography (USG) on deeper abscesses. The doctor may collect a sample of pus from the abscess for testing to identify the type of bacteria causing the abscess. This can help your doctor decide on the best treatment.

Treatment of Skin Abscess in Hospital

• Incision and drainage

The only sure way to treat a skin abscess is to open the sac and drain the pus. This is known as “incision and drainage”. A scalpel is used to make a hole in the wall of the abscess and empty it of pus.

The doctor does not stitch up the incision but will bandage the wound or leave gauze to fill the empty area. This allows the pus to continue to drain and prevents the abscess from returning. The gauze is changed every day or several days according to the doctor's consideration. Eventually, all of the gauze will be removed and the wound will heal from the inside out. Warm, moist compresses or baths are also recommended to keep the wound open and draining fluid. Healing of an abscess incision depends on the size and severity of the abscess. The pain often improves immediately and subsides more and more each day.

• Antibiotic medication

Antibiotic treatment for some patients undergoing incision and drainage of skin abscesses is necessary. However, antibiotics may not be given in the following conditions:

• Single abscess.
• Abscess size <2 cm in diameter.
• There is no or minimal cellulitis (skin inflammation) around it.
• There is no fever >38°C, decreased blood pressure, or increased heart rate.
• There are no immune disorders or other comorbidities.
• There was no previous clinical failure with incision and drainage alone.
• There are no internally implanted medical devices (such as prosthetic joints, blood vessel grafts, or pacemakers).
• There are no risk factors for endocarditis (heart infection).
• No exposure to situations that could infect others (e.g., contact sports, military barracks).

Complications of Skin Abscess

If left untreated, skin abscesses can trigger infections that spread throughout the body, can be life-threatening, and can cause death. Call your doctor if your skin abscess doesn't go away on its own, or doesn't get better with home treatment.

Prevention of Skin Abscesses

We can prevent skin abscesses by keeping the skin clean and dry. Bacteria that enter the wound can cause skin abscesses.

Other steps you can take to prevent skin abscesses include:

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Don't share towels, razors, or toothbrushes.
• Avoid scratching the skin or be careful when shaving.
• Maintain a healthy eating pattern.
• Quit smoking.
• Maintain body hygiene.