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Abscess - Abscess symptom, treatment, causes

Etymology: From Latin abcedere = to go away, indicating that the affected tissue is replaced by pus.

Synonym/Colloquial: Boils, Painful swelling/lump.

Abscess is a localized collection of pus. 'Ripe' is used in almost any Indian language to describe an abscess about to burst. Common areas for abscess formation are the armpits, genital areas, buttocks, and the lower extremities. An abscess usually starts as a plugged skin gland, cyst, or a folliculitis infection that progresses.

An abscess is a collection of pus that has accumulated in a cavity formed by the tissue on the basis of an infectious process or other foreign materials. Skin abscesses are fairly common. They affect people of all ages. The spread of infection through the bloodstream may cause severe complications. The treatment of first choice is the surgical drainage of the abscess. It is important to note that antibiotic therapy alone without surgical drainage of the abscess is seldom effective. They can occur on any parts of the body. They may transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. The affected area becomes hard. Folliculitis, skin abscesses, and carbuncles differ in the size and depth of the pus-filled pockets. The spread of infection through the bloodstream may cause severe complications.

A boil, also referred to as a skin abscess, is a localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. of tiThis often presents itself as a lump of tissue near the anus which grows larger and more painful with the passage me. Skin abscesses may follow a bacterial infection, commonly an infection with staphylococcus. The body responds to either the bacteria or the foreign body by sending white blood cells to the area, which forms pus. An abscess can develop in various parts of the body. An operation may be needed to drain the pus. You may also need to take antibiotics. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Some people develop folliculitis after exposure to a poorly chlorinated hot tub or whirlpool. The cavity becomes bigger if the infection continues.

Abscesses may develop in any organ and in the soft tissues beneath the skin in any area. Patients who are most vulnerable include those weakened by cancer and other chronic diseases; patients with a history of substance abuse, diabetes, epilepsy, or poor dental hygiene; patients who have recently had operations under anesthesia; and stroke patients. In children, the most vulnerable patients are those with weakened immune systems, malnutrition, or blunt injuries to the chest.

Symptoms of Abscess

Symptoms of discomfort or pain depend mainly on the site of the abscess, though larger ones - since they are a source of infection within the body - can cause fever, chills, sweating, and malaise.

• Swelling: hot, red and painful
• Fever
• Deep abscessesare not easily perceivedby the patient
• Pain and fever may be the only complaints

Cause of Abscess

• Fungal infections sometimes cause abscesses, while amoebae (single-celled protozoal parasites) are an important cause of liver abscesses.
• Infection, generally blood-borne.
• Infection may also enter from infected wounds and skin lesions.
• Abscesses close to the skin usually cause inflammation with redness, increased skin temperature and tenderness.

What is Abscess ?

A closed pocket of pus that forms when bacterial infection causes local tissue inflammation and destruction. Abscesses may occur in any organ or tissue. An abscess near the body surface forms a hot, red, painful swelling. Deep abscesses usually cause pain and fever, and often prevent the affected part from working properly. The pus must drain from an abscess before healing can take place.

Abscesses near the body surface often come to a head and burst, or may be drained by surgical opening or sucking out the pus through a needle. Those deep inside the body need surgical drainage. Antibiotics to destroy the bacteria that caused the abscess are usually started before drainage. In the upper portion of the buttock crease, there may be a persistent congenital cyst (pilonidal cyst). Pilonidal cysts are not present in all people, but those who have this normal variation are predisposed to recurrent abscess formation in this area. A definitive surgical procedure (minor) must be performed in order to remove the cyst.