Can the abscess return? In most cases, the chance of an abscess coming back after proper treatment is very minimal. Taking all of the prescribed antibiotics is the best way to eliminate all of the infection. The abscess could come back in the same spot or elsewhere if the infection wasn't eliminated.
If a skin abscess is not drained, it may continue to grow and fill with pus until it bursts, which can be painful and can cause the infection to spread or come back.
Once located, the abscess is typically drained with an aspiration needle but, because it is likely to refill, surgery, which is performed under general anesthesia, is usually also necessary. In either case, abscess drainage requires a complete elimination of the infected material.
The doctor may have cut an opening in the abscess so that the pus can drain out. You may have gauze in the cut so that the abscess will stay open and keep draining. You may need antibiotics. You will need to follow up with your doctor to make sure the infection has gone away.
Most abscesses are caused by a bacterial infection. When bacteria enter your body, your immune system sends infection-fighting white blood cells to the affected area. As the white blood cells attack the bacteria, some nearby tissue dies, creating a hole which then fills with pus to form an abscess.
A doctor will numb the area around the abscess, make a small incision, and allow the pus inside to drain. This, and sometimes a course of antibiotics, is really all that's involved. If you follow your doctor's advice about at-home treatment, the abscess should heal with little scarring and a lower chance of recurrence.
Abscess drainage generally takes less than 1 hour to complete.
If the drainage is thin and clear, it's serum, also known as serous fluid. This is typical when the wound is healing, but the inflammation around the injury is still high. A small amount of serous drainage is normal. Excessive serous fluid could be a sign of too much unhealthy bacteria on the surface of the wound.
In this case, antibiotics may be prescribed. Recurrent abscesses could be a sign of MRSA infection. Your doctor may test for MRSA and prescribe antibiotics directed at treating these particular bacteria. Sometimes an abscess is not ready to be drained, which means that it is not yet organized into a defined pocket.
If your abscess was opened with an Incision and Drainage: Keep the abscess covered 24 hours a day, removing bandages once daily to wash with warm soap and water. If the abscess was packed (with a cotton wick), leave it in until instructed by your clinician to remove the packing or return for re-evaluation.
Untreated abscesses may follow one of two courses. The abscess may remain deep and slowly reabsorb, or the overlying epithelium may attenuate (i.e., pointing), allowing the abscess to spontaneously rupture to the surface and drain.
If a patient has had recurrent abscesses, consider nutritional deficiency, especially of iron; immune deficiency; immune suppression by medications such as systemic steroids; diabetes; or poor circulation.
"If it goes untreated, the infection can spread and actually spread into your bloodstream and require hospitalization and need intravenous antibiotics,"said Taylor. If an abscess is not treated, the infection can last for months or even years. It will not go away on its own so it's important not to ignore the symptoms.
Abscesses usually are red, swollen, and warm to the touch, and might leak fluid. They can develop on top of the skin, under the skin, in a tooth, or even deep inside the body. On top of the skin, an abscess might look like an unhealed wound or a pimple; underneath the skin, it may create a swollen bump.
The sore continues to enlarge or becomes more painful. The sore is on or near your rectal or groin area. You develop a fever. You notice red streaks, which can mean the infection is spreading.
This retrospective data suggests that abscesses greater than 0.4 cm in depth from the skin surface may require a drainage procedure. Those less than 0.4 cm in depth may not require a drainage procedure and may be safely treated with antibiotics alone.
Serous drainage is composed mainly of plasma. It is often thin and watery and will usually have a clear to yellowish or brownish appearance. Small amounts of serous drainage are normal during the first stages of healing.
An abscess is a collection of pus. Pus is a thick fluid that usually contains white blood cells, dead tissue and germs (bacteria). The pus may be yellow or green and may have a bad smell.
It's a white, yellow, or brown fluid and might be slightly thick in texture. It's made up of white blood cells trying to fight the infection, plus the residue from any bacteria pushed out of the wound. There may be an unpleasant smell to the fluid, as well.
Bathing It is safe to shower one day after surgery. Simply let water run into the incision and pat the area dry. It is important to let the water get inside the wound as this will promote healing. Please shower prior to each dressing change if possible.
Gentle cleaning with soap and water before applying a fresh dressing is usually recommended. If any topical products are involved, you will also receive instructions on how to use these. Warm compresses might be recommended for managing pain after an abscess drainage, usually 3-4 times a day.
Many people think that the common cause of abscesses is poor hygiene. However, while poor hygiene can certainly contribute to the development of an abscess, it is not the only factor. In fact, the primary cause of abscesses is Staphylococcus (staph) bacteria.
Recurring boils may point to MRSA infection or an increase in other types of staph bacteria in the body. If you have several boils in the same place, you may be developing a carbuncle. See your doctor for a carbuncle. It may be a sign of a larger infection in the body.
Emergency medical care could be in order if the abscess is accompanied by a fever higher than 101°F or if the abscess measures more than half an inch. If red streaks radiate from a possible infection site, seek medical attention right away.