WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
An abscess (AB-ses) is an infected pocket of pus. You can
develop an abscess anywhere on your body. Common sites include
the armpit, rectum, vaginal lips, face, and area around the
tonsils in the throat. Nursing mothers sometimes develop an
abscess on the breast.
Causes
A bacterial
infection.
Signs/Symptoms
You're likely to experience pain,
soreness, redness, swelling, or fever. The abscess may feel
like a soft, moveable lump under your skin.
Care
The usual treatment is to cut
open the abscess and allow the pus to drain. You will need to
take an antibiotic to treat the infection.
Risks
Following treatment, the area
around the abscess could become infected. You also might have
more bleeding than normal.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
DOCTOR...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment while you're there.
-
Taking Your 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.
-
Incision and Drainage of Abscess:
-
You may be asked to lie on a table, depending on
where the abscess is located. You will be given numbing
medicine to prevent pain, and, perhaps, medication to
relax you during the procedure.
-
After cleaning the area, the doctor will cut a
small hole in or around the abscess to let the pus drain
out.
-
Sometimes it is necessary to cut the abscess open
and to remove unhealthy skin. To keep the pus and other
liquid draining out of the abscess, the doctor may insert
a gauze wick or a tube. The drain may be left in for 1 or
more days.
-
To determine the type of bacteria causing the
infection, the doctor may send a sample of the pus to a
laboratory.
-
It is important for the abscess to heal from the
inside out. If the skin covering the abscess heals first,
a pocket may be left under the skin, inviting development
of another infection. Carefully follow your doctor's
treatment plan.
-
Medicine:
-
Antibiotics may be given by IV, in a shot, or by
mouth to fight infection.
-
Fever medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
may be given by mouth or in your rectum to lower your
temperature.
-
Pain medicine may be given as a shot or by mouth.
If the pain does not subside or comes back, call your
doctor.
After You Leave
-
If you are drowsy from your medicine, do not
drive.
-
Apply heat to help relieve the pain. Use warm, wet
compresses or a warm heating pad 3 or 4 times a day for 20
minutes.
-
When you bathe, cover the dressing with plastic.
After the drain is removed, you may wash the wound gently
with mild unscented soap.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You develop increased swelling, redness, drainage, or
bleeding.
-
You have severe pain in the area of the abscess that
lasts for 24 hours.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You have a high temperature.
-
You have signs of infection such as muscle aches,
dizziness, or a generally ill feeling.
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