Anabscess (Latin:abscessus) ispus that has built up within thetissue of the body.[1] Signs andsymptoms of abscesses include: redness,pain, warmth, and swelling. This swelling feels like it is filled withfluid if it is pressed.[1] The area of redness is often bigger than the area of swelling.[2]Carbuncles are an abscess in thehair follicles.[3]
An abscess is usually caused by abacterialinfection.[4] Often many different types ofbacteria can be part of a single infection.[2] In the United States and many other areas of the world the most common bacteria present isMRSA (a strain of Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus.).[1] Rarelyparasites can cause abscesses and this is more common in thedeveloping world.[5] Diagnosis of a skin abscess is usually made based on what it looks like and is proved by cutting it open.[1]Ultrasound imaging may be useful in cases in which the diagnosis is not clear.[1] In abscesses around theanus,computer tomography (CT) may be important to look for deeper infection.[5]
Treatment for most skin or soft tissue abscesses is to cut it open and drain out the pus.[6]Antibiotics are usually not needed for healthy people.[1] New studies have found that it is better to close the wound after draining, instead of packing it withgauze.[1] This can speed healing and not increase risk of the abscess returning.[7] Sometimes simply sucking out the pus with a needle is not enough.[1]
Skin abscesses are common and have become more common in recent years.[1] As many as 65% of people who takeintravenous drugs get abscesses[8] In 2005 in the United States 3.2 million people went to the emergency department for an abscess.[9] In Australia around 13,000 people were put in hospital in 2008 for the disease.[10]
Abscesses can form in any kind of solid tissue. They are usually on the skin surface (such as aboils, or deep skin abscesses), in the lungs,brain,teeth,kidneys andtonsils. The condition can become more complicated if the pus and the infection spread to other parts of the body. This can lead togangrene, where areas of body tissue die.
The main symptoms and signs of a skin abscess are redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of function. There may also be high temperature (fever) and chills.
Internal abscesses are more difficult to find. The abscess can be painful, and a person will have a high temperature, and generally feel unwell.Internal abscesses do not usually heal without medical treatment. In some cases an abscess could even cause death, for example where an abscess in the neck put pressure on thetrachea.
If abscess is on the surface, it may be "fluctuant", that is it feels like it is full of fluid, when touched. This is a wave-like motion caused by movement of the pus inside the abscess.[11]
Abscesses are caused bybacterial infection, parasites, or foreign substances.Bacterial infection is the most common cause.[4] Often many different types of bacteria are involved in a single infection.[2] In the United States and many other areas of the world the most common bacteria present is MRSA.[1] Among spinal subdural abscesses, methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus is the most commonorganism involved.
Rarelyparasites can causes abscesses and this is more common in the developing world.[5] Specific parasites known to do this include:dracunculiasis andmyiasis.[5]
↑Marx, John A. Marx (2014). "Dermatologic Presentations".Rosen's emergency medicine : concepts and clinical practice (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders. pp. Chapter 120.ISBN978-1455706051.
↑5.05.15.25.3Marx, John A. Marx (2014). "Skin and Soft Tissue Infections".Rosen's emergency medicine : concepts and clinical practice (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders. pp. Chapter 137.ISBN978-1455706051.
↑Langrod, Pedro Ruiz, Eric C. Strain, John G. (2007).The substance abuse handbook. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 373.ISBN9780781760454.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
