Skin Abscess
Medical Author:
Steven Doerr, MD
Steven Doerr, MDSteven Doerr, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Doerr received his undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated with his Medical Degree from the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado in 1998 and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado in 2002, where he also served as Chief Resident. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Abscess TreatmentOften, a skin abscess will not heal on its own without further intervention by your health-care provider. Initially, an abscess may feel firm and hardened (indurated), at which time incision and drainage may not be possible. However, once the abscess begins to "come to a head" and it becomes more soft and fluctuant, lancing it to evacuate the pus and relieve the pressure is the best course of action. Your health-care provider will open and drain the abscess (incision and drainage) using the following technique. Learn more about the drainage procedure for a skin abscess » Skin Abscess OverviewA skin abscess is a localized collection of pus that generally develops in response to infection or to the presence of other foreign materials under the skin. An abscess is typically painful, and it appears as a swollen area that is warm to the touch. The skin surrounding an abscess typically appears pink or red. Abscesses can develop in many parts of the body, but they usually involve the skin surface. Skin abscesses are often referred to as boils. Common sites affected include the armpits, groin, rectal area (perirectal abscess), the external vaginal area (Bartholin's abscess), and along the tailbone (pilonidal abscess). Inflammation surrounding hair follicles or sweat glands can lead to the formation of abscesses, as well. Abscesses can also affect the brain, kidneys, liver (hepatic abscess), lungs, breast, neck, teeth (dental abscess), and tonsils (peritonsillar abscess). Unlike other infections, antibiotics alone will not typically cure a skin abscess. In general, abscesses must open and drain to improve. Although sometimes an abscess will open and drain spontaneously, it often needs to be lanced (incision and drainage) by a health-care provider. Certain abscesses may require drainage in an operating room.
Viewer Comments & ReviewsAbscess - TreatmentThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What treatment was effective for your abscess? Abscess - CauseThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What was the cause of your abscess? |
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Abscess
Peritonsillar Abscess Overview
A peritonsillar abscess forms in the tissues of the throat next to one of the tonsils. An abscess is a collection of pus that forms near an area of infected skin or other soft tissue.
The abscess can cause pain, swelling, and, if severe, blockage of the throat. If the throat is blocked, swallowing, speaking, and even breathing become difficult.
- When an infection of the tonsils (known as tonsillitis) spreads and causes infection in the soft tissues, a peritonsillar abscess may result.
- Peritonsillar abscess is relatively common in adults but rare in infants and young children.
Peritonsillar Abscess Causes
A peritonsillar abscess is most often a complication of tonsillitis. The bacteria involved are similar to those that cause strep throat.
Streptococcal bacteria most commonly cause an infection in the soft tissue around the tonsils (usually just on one side)...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape
Peritonsillar Abscess »
Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common infection of the head and neck region.
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