An abscess is a pocket containing a collection of pus and surrounding inflamed tissue, which can appear under the skin, mucous membranes or in internal organs, usually caused by a bacterial infection, resulting in symptoms such as a lump under the skin containing white or yellowish fluid, redness around the lump, pain at the site, swelling, fever or chills.
The abscess is most common to appear on the skin, such as in the armpits, groin, anus or vagina, but it can also develop inside the body, being called an internal abscess, such as a brain abscess or abdominal abscess, for example, in this case more difficult to identify.
Treatment of the abscess must be carried out by a general practitioner, surgeon or dermatologist, who may recommend the use of hot compresses to drain the pus when the abscess is small, the use of antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria or surgical drainage, if the abscess is large. large and cause pain and high fever.
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Abscess symptoms
The main symptoms of abscess are:
- Lump under the skin, containing white or yellowish pus;
- Pain and swelling in the affected area;
- Redness around the abscess;
- Increase in temperature in the location;
- High fever;
- Chills;
- Bumps near the site of the abscess;
- General malaise.
Furthermore, in the case of internal abscesses, which are more difficult to identify, in addition to fever and chills, there may be increased sweat production, excessive tiredness, loss of appetite, or weight loss for no apparent reason.
Depending on its location, other symptoms related to the affected organ or region may appear, such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, in the case of a liver abscess, difficulty breathing or coughing, in the case of a lung abscess, or toothache or loosening of the teeth, in the case of periodontal abscess, for example.
It is important to consult a general practitioner, surgeon or dermatologist whenever symptoms of an abscess appear, so that it can be diagnosed, its cause identified and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of the abscess is made through the evaluation of symptoms, health history and recent trauma, and physical examination of the skin, rectal examination, in the case of anorectal or perianal abscess, and a sample collection may also be performed. pus from the abscess to be analyzed in the laboratory, allowing the type of microorganism causing the skin abscess to be identified.
In addition, the doctor may order blood glucose tests or urine tests, which can identify diabetes, which increases the risk of developing skin abscesses.
If the doctor suspects an internal abscess, some imaging tests may be requested, such as ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, which allow the organs to be internally evaluated and identify the type and location of the abscess.
In the case of tooth abscess, the diagnosis is made by the dentist, through evaluation of the gums, oral mucosa and teeth, and dental X-ray examinations.
Main types
Abscess can be classified into different types, depending on the region of the body affected, and include:
1. Anorectal abscess
An anorectal abscess is caused by a bacterial infection that leads to the formation of a cavity filled with pus around the anal or rectal region, which causes pain when sitting or having a bowel movement, for example.
2. Perianal abscess
Perianal abscess, or anal abscess, is a type of anorectal abscess, which affects the skin around the anus, and generally appears due to blockage of the glands in the anus region, which can become infected by bacteria, resulting in symptoms. . Learn how to identify and treat anal abscess.
3. Periodontal abscess
Periodontal abscess is characterized by the presence of a pocket of pus in the gums near the root of the tooth and is normally caused by infections that affect the bone and tissues that support the tooth.
4. Tooth abscess
Tooth abscess can happen due to an untreated cavity, injury, or poorly performed dental work, which allows bacteria to enter, affecting the pulp of the tooth and the gums around the tooth. Understand what a tooth abscess is and what to do.
5. Gum abscess
A gum abscess can form on the gum mucosa, without affecting the teeth, and may arise due to the accumulation of bacteria due to poor hygiene or in cases of health conditions that cause a weakening of the immune system, such as HIV infection or cancer, for example. Learn more about gum abscess.
6. Axillary abscess
An axillary abscess is usually the result of folliculitis, which is inflammation of the hair root, but it can also arise due to hidradenitis suppurativa, due to inflammation of the sweat glands, which are the glands that produce sweat. Understand what hidradenitis suppurativa is.
7. Vaginal abscess
Vaginal abscess occurs due to inflammation of the Bartholin gland, which is a gland located in the anterior region of the vagina whose function is to lubricate it. Find out how to treat inflammation of the Bartholin gland.
8. Groin abscess
Groin abscess usually arises due to inflammation in the hair follicle or tissues around the follicle, as in the case of folliculitis, caused by bacterial infections.
9. Brain abscess
This type of abscess is rare and occurs due to the presence of bacteria in other regions of the head or in the bloodstream that reach the brain, leading to the formation of the abscess. Treatment typically involves the use of antibiotics and surgery to drain the abscess.
10. Lung abscess
Lung abscess is identified through chest x-ray and can be caused by the presence of bacteria that live in the mouth and reach the lungs. This abscess can cause symptoms such as tiredness, loss of appetite and fever.
11. Liver abscess
Liver abscess affects the liver, with one or more abscesses being possible, and being caused by different microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, due to the spread of these microorganisms through the blood or infections in the abdomen, as is the case with appendicitis, diseases associated with the liver. biliary or pylephlebitis, for example.
Possible causes
The abscess is most often the result of bacterial infections, in which the immune system initiates an inflammatory response due to the presence of bacteria, or even fungi or parasites, leading to the formation of pus at the site, formed by bacteria, defense cells and necrotic tissue. .
Some factors can increase the risk of developing abscesses, such as:
- Diabetes;
- More hygiene;
- Food rich in fats;
- Smoking habit;
- Excessive or frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Obesity or overweight;
- Metabolic syndrome;
- Circulatory problems;
- HIV virus infection;
- Use of corticosteroid medications;
- Chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.
However, the abscess can also occur due to obstruction in glands or ingrown hairs, which is the case with folliculitis, in which there is inflammation at the root of the hair, leading to the appearance of small blisters filled with pus that can cause burning and itching. Find out what folliculitis is and how to treat it.
How the treatment is carried out
Abscess treatment must be carried out under the guidance of a general practitioner or dermatologist, and the use of antibiotics is normally indicated with the aim of eliminating or avoiding bacterial infections. In addition, the abscess may need to be drained, which must be done by a doctor.
It is contraindicated to perform drainage at home, as there is a greater chance of exposure to microorganisms, which could infect other areas of the skin and worsen the condition. It is also recommended not to squeeze the abscess, as this can drive pus, which contains bacteria, into the tissue, worsening the infection.
One of the home options for treating an abscess is to apply a compress with warm water and clean the area with neutral soap. An herbal poultice can also be applied to the abscess, which aims to speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of infections. Learn how to prepare the herbal poultice.
In the case of tooth, gum or periodontal abscess, treatment is normally carried out by the dentist by draining the abscess and using antibiotics. However, in more serious cases, the dentist may recommend extracting the affected tooth.
