Adult Skin Problems Slideshow Pictures Quiz: Can You Identify These Skin Conditions? Gallery of Skin Problems and Images Collection

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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Medical Treatment

Often, 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.

• The area around the abscess will be numbed with local anesthetic.



• It is often difficult to completely numb the area, but in general, local anesthesia can make the procedure almost painless.



• A sedative may be given if the abscess is large.



• The affected area will be covered with an antiseptic solution and sterile towels placed around it.

• The health-care provider will cut open the abscess with a scalpel and drain all of the pus and debris. Sometimes, there will be multiple pockets of pus that must be identified and drained.



• Once the sore has drained, the doctor may insert packing into the remaining cavity to minimize bleeding and to keep the wound open for a day or two so any remaining pus can continue to drain.



• A bandage will then be placed over the packing, and the patient will be given instructions for home care.



• Most people feel better immediately after the abscess is drained.



• Your health-care provider may prescribe pain medication, depending upon the location, size, and extent of the abscess.



• Antibiotics are generally not necessary; however, they may be prescribed if the abscess is associated with a surrounding skin infection. Antibiotics may also be prescribed, depending upon the location of an abscess and whether or not the individual has a compromised immune system.