Abscess

Abscess is a pocket containing a collection of pus and surrounding inflamed tissue, which can arise under the skin, mucous membranes or in internal organs, usually caused by bacterial infection, resulting in symptoms such as a lump under the skin containing white or yellowish liquid, redness around the lump, pain at the site, swelling, fever or chills.

It is more common to appear on the skin, such as in the armpits, groin, anus or vagina, but it can also develop inside the body, being called an internal abscess, such as brain abscess or abdominal abscess, for example, in this case harder to identify.

Symptoms of Abscess

The main symptoms are:

• Lump under the skin, containing white or yellowish pus
• Pain and swelling in the affected area;
• Redness around the abscess;
• Increased temperature in the area;
• High fever;
• Chills;
• Bumps near the site of the abscess;
• General malaise.

Furthermore, in the case of internal abscesses, which are more difficult to identify, in addition to fever and chills, there may be increased sweat production, excessive tiredness, loss of appetite, or weight loss for no apparent reason.

Depending on its location, other symptoms related to the affected organ or region may arise, such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, in the case of a liver abscess, difficulty breathing or coughing, in the case of a lung abscess, or toothache or loosening of the teeth, in the case of periodontal abscess, for example.

It is important to consult the general practitioner, surgeon or dermatologist whenever symptoms of an abscess appear, so that the diagnosis can be made, the cause identified and the most appropriate treatment initiated.

How to confirm the diagnosis of Abscess

The diagnosis of the it is made through the evaluation of the symptoms, through the evaluation of the symptoms, health history and recent traumas, and physical examination of the skin, digital rectal examination, in the case of anorectal or perianal abscess, and a collection of the pus from it to be analyzed in the laboratory, allowing the identification of the type of microorganism causing the skin abscess.

In addition, the doctor may order blood glucose tests or urine tests, which can identify diabetes, which increases the risk of developing skin abscesses.

In case the doctor suspects an internal abscess, some imaging tests may be requested, such as ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, which allow the internal evaluation of the organs and identify the type and location of the it.

In the case of dental abscess, the diagnosis is made by the dentist, through the evaluation of the gums, oral mucosa and teeth, and dental X-ray exams.

Main types of Abscess

It can be classified into different types depending on the affected body region, and they include:

1. Anorectal

Anorectal abscess is caused by bacterial infection that leads to the formation of a pus-filled cavity around the anal or rectal region, which causes pain when sitting or having a bowel movement, for example.

2. Perianal

Perianal abscess, or anal abscess, is a type of anorectal abscess, which affects the skin around the anus, and usually arises due to a blockage of the glands that exist in the anus region, which can become infected by bacteria, resulting in symptoms .

3. Periodontal

Periodontal abscess is characterized by the presence of a pocket of pus in the gum near the root of the tooth and is usually caused by infections that affect the bone and tissues that support the tooth.

4. Dental

Tooth abscess can happen due to untreated decay, injury or poorly performed dental work, which allows bacteria to enter, affecting the pulp of the tooth and the gum around the tooth.

5. Gum

The gum abscess can form on the gum mucosa, not affecting the teeth, and may arise due to the accumulation of bacteria due to poor hygiene or in cases of health conditions that cause weakening of the immune system, such as HIV infection or cancer, for example.

6. Axillary

Axillary abscess is usually the result of folliculitis, which is inflammation of the hair root, but it can also arise due to hidradenitis suppurativa, due to inflammation of the sweat glands, which are the glands that produce sweat.

7.  Vaginal 

Vaginal abscess happens due to inflammation of the Bartholin’s gland, which is a gland located in the anterior region of the vagina that has the function of lubricating it.

8. Groin

Groin abscess usually arises due to inflammation in the hair follicle or tissues around the follicle, as in the case of folliculitis, caused by bacterial infections.

9. Brain 

This type is rare and happens due to the presence of bacteria in other regions of the head or in the bloodstream that reach the brain, leading to the formation of the abscess. Treatment is usually done with the use of antibiotics and surgery to drain the abscess.

10.  Lung

Lung abscess is identified through chest X-ray and can be caused by the presence of bacteria that live in the mouth and reach the lung. This abscess can cause symptoms such as tiredness, loss of appetite, and fever.

11. Liver

Liver abscess affects the liver, one or more abscesses may appear, and be caused by different microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, due to the dissemination of these microorganisms through the blood or infections in the abdomen, as is the case with appendicitis, diseases associated with the digestive tract. biliary or pylephlebitis, for example.

Possible causes of Abscess

It is most often the result of bacterial infections, in which the immune system initiates an inflammatory response due to the presence of bacteria, or even fungi or parasites, leading to the formation of pus at the site, formed by bacteria, defense cells and necrotic tissue. .

Some factors can increase the risk of developing, such as:

• Diabetes;
• Poor hygiene;
• Food rich in fats;
• Smoking habit;
• Excessive or frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• Obesity or overweight;
• Metabolic syndrome;
• Circulatory problems;
• HIV virus infection;
• Use of corticosteroid drugs;
• Chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.

However, the it can also happen due to obstruction in glands or ingrown hair, which is the case with folliculitis, in which there is inflammation at the root of the hair, leading to the appearance of small bubbles with pus that can cause burning and itching.

How the treatment of Abscess is done

The treatment of it must be carried out with the guidance of the general practitioner or dermatologist, and the use of antibiotics is usually indicated in order to eliminate or prevent bacterial infections. In addition, drainage of it may be necessary, which should be done by the doctor.

It is contraindicated to carry out drainage at home, as there are more chances of exposure to microorganisms, which can infect other areas of the skin and worsen the condition. It is also indicated not to squeeze the it, as this can push the pus, which contains bacteria, into the tissue, aggravating the infection.

One of the home options to treat the it is to apply a compress with warm water and clean the area with mild soap. An herbal poultice can also be applied to the it in order to speed up the healing process and decrease the risk of infections.

In the case of dental, gingival or periodontal abscess, treatment is usually done by the dentist by draining the it and using antibiotics. However, in more serious cases, the dentist may recommend the extraction of the affected tooth.