25/12/2022, 11:59 Abscess -NHS. DTT ee ara (eclth $2 (Link: woww.nhs.ukiconditions) NHS services (Link: wwww.nhs.uk/nhs-services) Live Well (Link: www.nhs.uk/ivesvell) Men Overview Abscess overview + Symptoms (Link: wow nhs. ukicondition/abscesdsymptoms) Causes (Link: wo ss icondtionlabscesscauses) + Diagnosis (Link: ww. thsukiondiionsabscesdélagnosi) + Treatment (Link: wwww.nhsukiconcitionsabscestreatment? ‘An abscess is a painful collection of pus, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Abscesses can develop anywhere in the body. ‘This article focuses on 2 types of abscess + skin abscesses —which develop under the skin + Internal abscesses which develop inside the body, in an organ or in the spaces between organs Symptoms of an abscess A skin abscoss often appears asa swollen, pusfilled lump under the surface of the skin. You may also have other symptoms of an infection, such as a high temperature and chil les more difficult to identity an abscess inside the body, but signs include: + pain in the affected area + ahigh temperature + generally feeling unwell Read more about the symptoms of an abscess (Link: wwww.nhs.uk/conditionslabscesssymptoms), When to see your GP See your GP if you think you may have an abscess. They can examine a skin abscess or refer you to hospital if you may have an internal abscess. ‘There are several tests available to help diagnose an abscess, depending on where it's located. Read about diagnosing an abscess (Link: wwwnhs.ukiconditions/abscess/diagnosis). Causes of abscesses Most abscesses ae caused by a bacterial infection, \When bacteria enter your body, your immune system sends infection-ighting white blood cells to the affected area, ‘As the white blood cells attack the bacteria, some nearby tissue dies, creating a hole which then fils with pus to form an ‘abscess. The pus contains a mixture of dead tissue, white blood cells and bacteria, Internal abscesses often develop as a complication of an existing condition, such as an infection elsewhere in your body. For example, it your appendix oursts 26a result of appendicitis (Link: www nhs.ukicondtionslappendicitis), oacteria can spread inside your turnmy (abdomen) and cause an abscess to form Read about the causes of abscesses (Link: wwwu.nhs.ukicondlitionslabscessicauses), hitps:iwwnnhs.uklcondltionsiabscess/ 1225/12/2022, 11:59 Abscess -NHS. Treating an abscess ‘Asmall skin abscess may drain naturally, or simply shrink, dry up and disappear without any treatment. However larger abscesses may need to be treated with antibiotis (Link: wwwwnhs.uk/conditionsfantibioics to clear the infection, and the pus may need to be drained. This will usually be done either by inserting a needle through your skin or bby making a small incision in the skin over the abscess Read more about treating an abscess (Link: wwww.nhs.uk/conditionslabscesshtreatment) Preventing a skin abscess Most skin abscesses are caused by bacteria getting into a minor wound, the root of a hair ora blocked ol or sweat gland Ensuring that your skins clean, healthy and largely free of bacteria can help reduce the risk of skin abscesses developing ‘You can reduce the risk of bacteria spreading by: ‘+ washing your hands regularly + encouraging people in your family to wash their hands regularly + using separate towels and not sharing baths + waiting until your skin abscess is fully treated and healed before using any communal equipment, such as gym equipment, saunas or swimming pools Do not squeeze the pus out ofthe abscess yourself, because this can easily spread the bacteria to other areas of your skin. Ifyou use tissues to wipe any pus away from your abscess, dispose of them straight away to avoid germs spreading. Wash your hands after you've disposed of the tissues, Take care when shaving your face, legs, underarm areas or bikini area to avoid nicking your skin Do not share razors oF toothbrushes. Iemay also help to reduce your risk of skin abscesses by: ‘+ maintaining a healthy, balanced diet (Link: www.nhs ukfive-welleat-wellhow-to-eat-2-balanced-diet) + losing weight (Link: httpsy/wmw.nhs.uk/better-healtiviose-weight) if you're overweight or obese + stopping smoking (Link: wwwwnhs.ukllive-welliquitsmokingi) les cficult to prevent internal abscesses, as they're often complications of other con: Other types of abscess ‘There are many other types of abscess not fully covered hee, including + an anorectal abscess ~a build-up of pus inside the bottom (the rectum and anus) + a Bartholin's cyst (Link: wow nhs.ukiconditions/bartholins-cyst) - a bule-up of pus inside one of the Bartholin's lands, which are found on each side of the opening of the vagina + a brain abscess (Link: www. nhs.ukdconditionsforain-abscess) ~a rare but potentially life-threatening build-up of pus inside the skull ‘+a dental abscess (Link: wwww.nhs.ub/conditions/dental-abscess) ~ a build-up of pus under a tooth or in the supporting gum and bone + a quinsy (peritonsilla abscess) —a build-up of pus between one of the tonsils and the wall ofthe throat + a pilonidal abscess (Link: wwww.nhs.ukiconditions/pilonidal-sinus) ~ a build-up of pus in the skin of the cleft of the buttocks (where the buttocks separate) + a spinal cord abscess - a build-up of pus around the spinal cord Page last reviewed: 0 November 2019, Next review due: 04 November 2022 hitps:iwwnnhs.uklcondltionsiabscess/ ae