An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms as a result of a bacterial infection, although other microbes can also cause abscesses. Even minor injuries can result in abscesses, as germs get into the cut. The immune system sends white blood cells to eradicate the bacteria. In turn, this damages nearby tissue, causing inflammation and a sort of hollow area. White blood cells, bacteria, and dead skin all combine to form pus, which fills up the inflamed area. You might expect your body to take care of this on its own, but eventually the infection can spread, getting into the bloodstream and doing other serious damage -- especially depending on the location. Here are a few tips to know when it is time to go to the doctor.
Size
Abscesses can vary wildly in size. Some are barely distinguishable from a boil, while others can become bigger than your palm. Very small abscesses may be sufficiently treated at home. Apply wet heat to soothe the inflammation, practice good hygiene, don’t share personal care products, and hope your immune system kicks in.
Use a pen or permanent marker to draw a circle around the discolored area. If the discoloration continues to grow beyond your outline, it’s time to get to the doctor for antibiotics. Your doctor will also drain the abscess. She will give you a local anesthetic so you don’t feel it, and then cut a small incision in the abscess to drain the pus out. Then, she will fill the abscess with a piece of gauze with the tip sticking out. This allows the pus to drain off the gauze, as well as preventing the skin from healing over with the gauze inside.
Location
Some abscesses form in more dangerous areas than others. While a small abscess on your wrist might not do much damage, a small abscess in your ear or mouth can be quite another story. Abscesses can form in the ear following chronic or recurrent ear infections, or as a response to infected piercings or other trauma. These abscesses are forming not only very near all the tiny parts that make up your ear and help you hear, it’s also in pretty close quarters with your brain.
In your mouth, abscesses can form in response to untreated cavities, oral wounds, and even dental work. These abscesses generally form at the end of the roots (periapical abscess) or in the gums next to the root (periodontal abscess). This can cause a throbbing toothache that makes it difficult to eat. To treat oral abscesses, it may be necessary to have a tooth pulled -- and it’s not a good idea to undertake that from home. While small cutaneous abscesses may heal on their own, these won’t. Furthermore, in either of these places, the abscess is difficult to monitor. If you have a fever, facial swelling, or problems breathing and swallowing, go to an emergency room immediately, as this may be an indicator that the bacteria has spread beyond the abscess and is become more systemic.
Internal abscesses, those that form on or in the space between organs, can also be extremely dangerous. They may form as a result of a pre-existing infection that has spread (such as pneumonia or a burst appendix) or as a complication of surgery. Internal abscesses can cause fever, chills, sweating, low appetite, unintended weight loss, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and tenderness at the site of the cyst. If you suspect you have an internal abscess, call your doctor immediately.
