Abscesses form when an open wound is infiltrated by bacteria. They are pus-filled pockets that form in the skin (cutaneous abscess) or on or between the spaces of organs (internal abscess). White blood cells bombard the bacteria, and nearby tissue winds up dying, mixing with the bacteria and blood cells, and forming pus, a yellow or clear liquid. They can be quite substantial in size, and may even form a white “head” on the top. Here’s a look at how abscesses should be treated.
Cutaneous Abscesses
When an abscess forms on your skin, it can be tempting to pop them like a pimple. Popping them is not the way to treat them, however, as this can actually make the infection worse. For small abscesses, applying a hot compress may be sufficient to relieve the swelling while you wait for your immune system to kick in. Keep the area -- and the compress -- very clean, and don’t share with other people. If your external abscess is quite large, however, you should go to your doctor for assistance.
Pharmaceutical Treatment
At the doctor’s office, your abscess will be diagnosed. It might be necessary to take a swab of the pus, which will allow certain tests to be performed to figure out exactly what type of pathogen is causing your abscess. Bacteria, fungi, and viruses can all cause these tender bumps, although one of the most common culprits is Staphylococcus aureus, or a staph infection.
Allowing your abscess to continue can ultimately end with the bacteria getting into the bloodstream, causing issues like sepsis. Once the exact pathogen has been identified, your doctor can prescribe you an appropriate form of treatment, whether that means an antibiotics, antifungal, or other appropriate medication.
Draining
In order for your medication to work, your doctor will likely need to perform a small procedure to drain the abscess first. Because of the thick wall that forms around an abscess, medication to get rid of the infection has difficulty passing through. To drain your abscess, your doctor may give you a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then, a small incision will be made to allow all the pus to drain out of it. In many cases, this is sufficient to deal with much of the pain associated with the abscess, as it relieves the pressure that has been building up.
Once the abscess has been emptied out, gauze is packed into the wound. This provides a means of not only soaking up any pus that does form, but also of preventing the whole pocket from filling up again as the pus can drain via the opening through which the gauze is inserted. Additionally, one end of the gauze is left out, so that as the skin begins to heal, it doesn’t heal over the gauze, sealing it into the wound (which would create a whole other issue!). The gauze will likely be changed every day or so, as new, healthy skin forms in place of the abscess. Your abscess may heal in days, or it may take a few weeks. In the meantime, take your medication as recommended by your doctor, keep the area clean, and call your doctor’s office if the gauze comes out too soon, as this can hinder the healing process.
Internal Abscess
If your abscess is located internally, your doctor may be able to drain it in much the same way as a cutaneous abscess. Your health care team will use imaging technology to make sure to place a small needle into the abscess and then more or less such the pus out. Additionally, a catheter tube may be placed to allow the abscess to drain. Unfortunately, this isn’t sufficient in some cases, and surgery may be necessary to safely remove the abscess.
