Abscesses: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms when your body fights an infection. It develops when bacteria or other germs enter the tissue and your immune system responds by sending white blood cells to the area. The result is inflammation, tissue breakdown, and the formation of a painful, swollen lump filled with pus.
Abscesses can occur anywhere on the body, including the skin, under the arms, in the groin, or inside organs such as the liver, lungs, or brain.
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Common Types of Abscesses
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Skin Abscess (Boil): A painful lump just under the skin, often red and warm to the touch.
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Dental Abscess: Infection near the root of a tooth or in the gum.
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Perianal or Rectal Abscess: Infection near the anus or rectum.
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Internal Abscess: Infection deep inside the body (for example, in the liver or abdominal cavity).
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Post Surgical Abscess: Infection that develops after a surgical procedure.
Signs and Symptoms
Abscesses can vary in severity, but common symptoms include:
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Localized pain or tenderness
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Redness and swelling
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Warmth over the affected area
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Visible or palpable lump
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Pus or drainage
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Fever or chills (in more severe cases)
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Fatigue or general feeling of illness
When to See a Doctor
You should seek medical care if an abscess is painful, increasing in size, warm, or draining pus, or if you develop fever, chills, or swelling around the area.
Never try to squeeze or drain an abscess yourself — doing so can spread the infection deeper into the tissue.
How Abscesses Are Treated
At our clinic, we provide safe and effective abscess management based on the size, location, and severity of the infection.
Treatment options may include:
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Clinical evaluation and imaging when needed
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Incision and drainage (I&D) procedure
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Wound care and sterile dressing changes
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Antibiotic therapy for bacterial infection
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Pain and inflammation control
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Monitoring for recurrence or deeper infection