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Medical Author:

Steven Doerr, MD

Steven Doerr, MD

Steven 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.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa 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.

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A skin abscess will sometimes rupture and drain spontaneously at home without any further complications. However, in some instances, further evaluation by a health-care provider is necessary to prevent the progression and complications associated with a continuing infection. Consult a health-care provider if any of the following scenarios occurs with an abscess:

• The sore is larger than 1 cm or ½ inch across.



• The sore fails to heal or it continues to enlarge and becomes more painful.



• The person has an underlying illness such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, sickle cell disease, or peripheral vascular disease.



• The person is an IV drug abuser.



• The person is on steroid therapy, chemotherapy, or dialysis.



• The sore is located at the top of the buttock crease, or it is on or near the rectal or groin area.



• The person has a fever of 100.4 F or higher.



• There is a concern that there is foreign material within a wound or under the skin.

Go to a hospital's emergency department if any of these conditions occur with an abscess:

• Fever of 102 F or higher, or vomiting, especially if the person has a chronic disease or is on steroids, chemotherapy, or dialysis



• There is a spreading red streak on the skin originating from the abscess.



• Any facial abscess larger than 1 cm or ½ inch across

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