Abscess

Ever wonder what that red, painful, and warm spot was that popped up under your arm?  Most likely it was an abscess.  An abscess is best described as a mass that is tender and surrounded by redness…ranging from pink to deep red.  Due to their characteristics, abscesses are generally easy to feel just by touching.  The abscess takes on a mass-shape because the middle is full of pus and debris that has collected and deposited itself there.  You may think of an abscess like an extra large pimple…more serious and painful of course. 

Any part of your body is pretty much fair game to an abscess; they are known to pop up just about anywhere.  Frequently though an abscess is found in your armpits, areas around your anus and/or vagina, at the base of your spine, around a tooth, and in your groin.  No matter where an abscess is…it will be a nuisance.  Have you ever heard of someone complain of having an infected hair?  Well, an infected hair occurs when there is inflammation around a hair follicle which can also ultimately lead to development of an abscess or a boil.  If you are unsure whether or not you have an abscess or a boil, do not hesitate to seek medical attention because it will make a difference with your treatment plan.

At this point you’re probably wondering, “What causes an abscess so I can prevent this from happening to me?”  Keep in mind that abscesses are caused when germs get under or into the skin or into your glands.  When the germs enter uncharted territory, an inflammatory response is sparked that causes your body’s defenses to try to kill off these germs.  When your body’s defenses take over, the inside of the abscess liquefies and ends up containing dead cells, bacteria, and other debris.  The area will grow until it reaches a big enough size to house all of what is deposited there creating an abscess.  The abscess will then create tension under the skin and more inflammation of the surrounding areas making it a painful nuisance that generally requires medical attention.

Causes of an Abscess

-  Obstruction of oil or sweat glands

-  Inflammation of hair follicles

-  Minor breaks in the skin

-  Skin punctures

-  Exposure to dirty environments

-  Poor circulation

-  Poor hygiene

-  Exposure to skin infections

Symptoms & Characteristics of an Abscess

-  Painful mass

-  Red, warm & tender to touch

-  May come to a head as they grow

-  May spontaneously rupture

-  Will worsen without care

-  Infection can spread to other tissues

-  Infection can spread into the bloodstream

-  Fever if infection spreads into deeper tissues

Total Home Health would like to encourage you to always maintain good hygiene practices to avoid allowing any unwanted germs to set in and result in an abscess.  Once the germs choose their route and set in, they build up and create a pocket of debris and pus within the abscess.  Treatment of an abscess will usually require more than just antibiotic medications, because it just won’t be enough.  Once your provider assesses your abscess, your treatment regimen will be created.  Do not hesitate to seek out medical attention, because if left untreated an abscess could cause an infection throughout your whole body.  A good point to remember also is that if your immune system is already weak in the first place, you may get abscesses more often and they could be more severe than normal.  Here are some more tips extended to you from Total Home Health.

When to Seek Medical Treatment

-  Sore area that is larger than a half-inch across, especially on the face

-  If a sore continues to enlarge or becomes increasingly painful

-  Sore is on or near your rectal or groin area

-  Your fever reaches 101.5F or higher and you know you have a sore area

-  You notice a red streak extending away from the sore area

The size and the extent of the abscess that you experience will of course determine what treatment plan will be the best for you.  Sometimes an abscess will open and drain spontaneously, but keep an open mind because an abscess could also require a procedure that requires an incision to be made and the debris drained.  During this procedure you provider will make a small incision in the abscess and allow for it to expel the debris and pus so that it may resolve more quickly.  After the abscess is drained, there is usually immediate pain relief, which is good news.  Sometimes you may be required to keep your abscess packed with gauze and change it regularly until the area closes itself and/or shows signs of improvement.

Sound complicated?  No worries because Total Home Health has a program that is right for you.  Our professional staff is aware of just how much of a nuisance having an abscess can be.  We will ensure your treatment regimen is carried out on a regular basis so that your abscess resolves as quickly as possible.  We will also implement measures to incorporate into your lifestyle that will work to prevent further abscesses from occurring while you make the most of your daily life.  Enroll today and let us help you make positive changes in your life!