Abscess: What to watch out for

Posted: 5:26 AM, Jul 09, 2018
Updated: 2018-07-09 06:26:58-04

Every year between four and five million Americans suffer from chronic non-healing wounds, many caused by diabetes, poor circulation, pressure ulcers or other conditions.

Proper wound care is necessary to prevent infection and make sure there are no other associated injuries to the skin. 


It is difficult to prevent an abscess inside the body as it usually happens in people who are ill with other problems. 

"Abscess is very common just in the general community, and they are more common in diabetics. Some people think that it is a hygiene-related factor, and it is not. Anybody can get an abscess. It is from normal bacteria on your skin. 

There is an opening on your body, and it allows it in and that causes an infection, and in some people, the infection gets out of control and needs medical intervention instead of taking care of it at home," said Corpus Christi Medical Center physical therapist Jeanne Taylor. 

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 a surgical drainage procedure in an operating room. 

"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. 

"The signs people notice are raised lump, redness, hardness, and with some people, it comes to a head, and actually you can see a puss filled blister, hardness around it, and warm to the touch and incredibly painful," said Taylor. 

Is it an Abscess? Everything you need to know.


Abscesses are often easy to feel by touching. The vast majority of them are caused by infections. Inside, they are full of pus, bacteria and debris. Painful and warm to touch, abscesses can show up any place on your body. 




Abscess are caused when our normal skin barrier is broken, even from minor trauma, or small tears, or inflammation, bacteria can enter the skin.  

An abscess can form as your body’s defenses try to kill these germs with your inflammatory response (white blood cells = pus). Obstruction in a sweat or oil (sabaceous) gland, or a hair follicle or a pre-existing cyst can also trigger an abscess. 


Pressure and inflammation cause the pain.



Abscess Treatment: Self-Care at Home

  • Do not attempt to drain the abscess by squeezing or pressing on it. This can push the infected material into the deeper tissues.

Medical Treatment:

  • The doctor may open and drain the abscess. * The area around the abscess will be numbed with medication. It is often difficult to completely numb the area, but local anesthesia can make the procedure almost painless.
  • The area will be covered with an antiseptic solution and sterile towels placed around it.
  • The doctor will cut open the abscess and totally drain it of pus and debris.
  • Once the sore has drained, the doctor may insert some packing into the remaining cavity to allow the infection to continue to drain. It may be kept open for a day or two.
  • A bandage will then be placed over the packing, and you will be given instructions about home care.
  • Most people feel better immediately after the abscess is drained.
  • If you are still experiencing pain, the doctor may prescribe pain pills for home use over the next 1-2 days.
  • You are usually sent home with oral antibiotics.

When to Seek Medical Care:

  • Call your doctor if any of the following occur with an abscess:
  • The sore continues to enlarge or becomes more painful.
  • You develop a fever. You notice red streaks, which can mean the infection is spreading.
  • You have any of the medical conditions listed above.
  • Go to a hospital’s Emergency Department if any of these conditions occur with an abscess: * Fever of 102°F or higher, especially if you have a chronic disease or are on steroids, chemotherapy, or dialysis