WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
A perirectal (pair-ee-REK-tuhl) abscess (AB-sess) is a
pocket of pus in the tissues around the rectum, the last part
of the bowel that ends at the anus.
Causes
Bacteria invade the tissue around
the rectum through a cut or tear.
Signs/Symptoms
The primary symptom is a lump
that is tender, firm, or moves about when you push on it. You
may also have pain and a fever. If you can see the abscess on
the skin, it will probably look red and swollen.
Care
You will probably need surgery to
open the abscess and drain the pus. You may need to take
antibiotics or other medicines. You'll also need to take a
stool softener to make bowel movements easier.
Do's/Don'ts
To keep from getting more tears
in your rectum that could lead to another abscess, try to keep
your stool soft by eating foods that are high in fiber. Do not
use enemas, and avoid anal sex.
Risks
Without treatment, the abscess
can develop into a tear or hole where stool can get caught. The
infection can spread to other parts of your body and cause
severe illness. At the very least, if the cause of the abscess
is not found and fixed, it can keep coming back.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: You may be hooked up to a pulse
oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is placed on your ear, finger,
or toe and is connected to a machine that measures the
oxygen in your blood.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-lec-tro-car-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The
patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or
a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a
tracing of each heartbeat. Your heart will be watched for
signs of injury or damage that could be related to your
illness.
-
Oxygen: Your body may need extra oxygen at this
time. It is given either by a mask or nasal prongs. Tell
your doctor if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the
nasal prongs bother you.
-
Foley Catheter: This tube may be inserted to drain
the bladder until you are able to urinate on your
own.
-
Strict Intake/Output: Nurses will carefully watch
how much liquid you are getting by mouth and in your IV.
They will also measure how much you are
urinating.
-
Activity: You may need to rest in bed. Once you are
feeling better, you will be allowed to get
up.
-
Cold/Heat: Placing a cool towel or heating pad (set
on low) on the area may help ease the
pain.
-
Medicines: You may receive several drugs by IV, in a
shot, or by mouth.
-
Antibiotics may be prescribed if the abscess is
infected with bacteria.
-
Antifungal medicine may be prescribed if the
infection is caused by a fungus.
-
Pain medicine may also be needed. If the pain does
not go away or comes back, tell a nurse right
away.
After You Leave
-
A small piece of gauze will be left at the abscess so
it can drain. Do not remove the gauze until your doctor
says it's okay.
-
You may put a loose dressing over the site of the
abscess. Keep the dressing clean and dry. You may need to
change it several times a day.
-
After the gauze drain is removed, you may wash the
area gently with mild soap before putting the dressing back
on.
-
To ease the pain and discomfort, put warm wet
washcloths on the area or use a heating pad set on low.
After the drain is removed, it may help to sit in a tub of
warm water for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or 4 times a
day.
-
A special plastic cushion that's shaped like a
doughnut may make sitting more comfortable. These cushions
can often be found in drugstores.
-
To reduce pain and straining during bowel
movements:
-
Eat a diet high in fiber (vegetables, fruits, and
whole grains).
-
Take stool softeners as suggested by your
doctor.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have increasing pain, redness, swelling,
drainage, or bleeding in the area.
-
You develop any new symptoms.
-
You develop chills or a high
temperature.
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