An
abscess is a collection of
pus that has built up within the
tissue
of the body. Signs and symptoms of abscesses include redness, pain,
warmth, and swelling. The swelling may feel fluid filled when pressed. The area of redness often extends beyond the swelling.
Carbuncles and
boils are types of abscess that often involve
hair follicles with carbuncles being larger.
They are usually caused by a
bacterial infection.
Often many different types of bacteria are involved in a single
infection. In the United States and many other areas of the world the
most common bacteria present is
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Rarely,
parasites can cause abscesses and this is more common in the
developing world. Diagnosis of a skin abscess is usually made based on what it looks like and is confirmed by cutting it open.
[1] Ultrasound imaging may be useful in cases in which the diagnosis is not clear. In abscesses around the
anus,
computer tomography (CT) may be important to look for deeper infection.
Abscesses may occur in any kind of solid tissue but most frequently on skin surface (where they may be superficial pustules (
boils) or deep skin abscesses), in the lungs,
brain,
teeth,
kidneys and tonsils. Major complications are spreading of the abscess
material to adjacent or remote tissues and extensive regional tissue
death (
gangrene).
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.
An internal abscess is more difficult to identify, but signs include
pain in the affected area, a high temperature, and generally feeling
unwell. Internal abscesses rarely heal themselves, so prompt medical
attention is indicated if such an abscess is suspected. An abscess could
potentially be fatal (although this is rare) if it compresses vital
structures such as the
trachea in the context of a deep neck abscess.
If superficial, abscesses may be fluctuant when
palpated. This is a wave-like motion that is caused by movement of the pus inside the abscess.
Abscesses may occur in any kind of solid tissue but most frequently on skin surface (where they may be superficial pustules (
boils) or deep skin abscesses), in the lungs,
brain,
teeth,
kidneys and tonsils. Major complications are spreading of the abscess
material to adjacent or remote tissues and extensive regional tissue
death (
gangrene).
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.
An internal abscess is more difficult to identify, but signs include
pain in the affected area, a high temperature, and generally feeling
unwell. Internal abscesses rarely heal themselves, so prompt medical
attention is indicated if such an abscess is suspected. An abscess could
potentially be fatal (although this is rare) if it compresses vital
structures such as the
trachea in the context of a deep neck abscess.
If superficial, abscesses may be fluctuant when
palpated. This is a wave-like motion that is caused by movement of the pus inside the abscess.
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In the United States and many other areas of the world the most common bacteria present is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus