What are the main causes of abscesses. How can you recognize abscess symptoms. What tests are used to diagnose an abscess. What are the most effective treatments for abscesses.

Understanding Abscesses: Formation and Common Locations

An abscess is a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue. These painful swellings can occur anywhere on the body but are most common in certain areas. Let’s explore how abscesses form and where they typically appear.

How Do Abscesses Form?

Abscesses develop when bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin or when an existing gland or follicle becomes obstructed. The body’s immune response to this invasion results in inflammation and the accumulation of white blood cells, creating pus. As the abscess grows, it causes increased pressure and pain in the surrounding tissues.

Common Locations for Abscesses

• Armpits (axillae)
• Anal and vaginal areas (including Bartholin gland abscesses)
• Base of the spine (pilonidal abscesses)
• Around teeth (dental abscesses)
• Groin area
• Hair follicles (boils or furuncles)

Understanding these common locations can help individuals identify potential abscesses early and seek appropriate treatment.

Recognizing Abscess Symptoms: Key Indicators and Warning Signs

Identifying an abscess early is crucial for prompt treatment and prevention of complications. Here are the primary symptoms to watch for:

• A tender, swollen mass on the skin
• Redness and warmth around the affected area
• Pain that increases as the abscess grows
• A “pointing” or coming to a head as the abscess matures
• Spontaneous rupture and drainage in some cases
• Fever and general illness if the infection spreads

Are all abscesses painful? While most abscesses cause discomfort, the level of pain can vary depending on the location and size of the abscess. Some deep-seated abscesses may cause less noticeable pain initially but can still be serious.

Risk Factors: Who Is More Susceptible to Abscesses?

Certain individuals are at higher risk of developing abscesses or experiencing more severe infections. Understanding these risk factors can help in prevention and early intervention.

Medical Conditions That Increase Abscess Risk

• Diabetes
• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• Sickle cell disease
• Peripheral vascular disorders
• Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)

Other Risk Factors

• Chronic steroid therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Severe burns or trauma
• Alcoholism or IV drug abuse
• Obesity
• Poor hygiene
• Exposure to dirty environments
• Contact with individuals who have certain skin infections

Does having a weakened immune system always lead to abscesses? While a compromised immune system increases the risk, it doesn’t guarantee abscess formation. However, individuals with weakened immunity should be extra vigilant about skin care and promptly address any signs of infection.

Diagnosing Abscesses: Medical Examinations and Tests

When a healthcare provider suspects an abscess, they will perform a thorough examination and may order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment.

Medical History and Physical Examination

The doctor will ask about the duration of symptoms, any recent injuries, current medications, and allergies. They will also inquire about fever and other systemic symptoms. A physical examination will assess the size, location, and characteristics of the abscess.

Additional Diagnostic Tests

• Blood tests to check for signs of infection and inflammation
• Culture and sensitivity tests of the pus to identify the causative bacteria
• Imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI for deep or complex abscesses
• Rectal examination for abscesses near the anus
• Lymph node palpation to check for spread of infection

How accurate are these diagnostic tests for abscesses? While physical examination is often sufficient for superficial abscesses, imaging studies can be highly accurate in diagnosing and characterizing deep or complex abscesses, with sensitivities and specificities often exceeding 90%.

Treatment Options: From Home Care to Medical Interventions

The treatment of abscesses depends on their size, location, and severity. Options range from self-care measures to medical procedures.

Self-Care at Home

For small abscesses (less than 1 cm in diameter):

• Apply warm compresses for about 30 minutes, 4 times daily
• Keep the area clean and dry
• Avoid squeezing or attempting to drain the abscess yourself

When to Seek Medical Care

Consult a healthcare provider if:

• The abscess is larger than 1 cm in diameter
• It continues to enlarge or becomes more painful
• You develop a fever or notice red streaks spreading from the abscess
• The abscess is on your face or in the rectal or groin area
• You have any of the risk factors mentioned earlier

Medical Treatment

The primary treatment for most abscesses is incision and drainage (I&D). This procedure involves:

1. Cleaning the area
2. Administering local anesthesia
3. Making an incision to open the abscess
4. Draining the pus and debris
5. Irrigating the cavity
6. Packing the wound (in some cases)

Antibiotics may be prescribed in certain situations, such as:

• Extensive or severe infections
• Abscesses in sensitive areas (like the face)
• Patients with weakened immune systems
• When there are signs of systemic infection

Is drainage always necessary for abscess treatment? In most cases, yes. Unlike other infections, antibiotics alone are usually not sufficient to cure an abscess. Proper drainage is essential for healing and preventing recurrence.

Prevention Strategies: Minimizing the Risk of Abscess Formation

While not all abscesses can be prevented, several strategies can help reduce the risk of their formation:

• Maintain good personal hygiene, including regular handwashing
• Clean and protect any cuts, scrapes, or breaks in the skin
• Avoid sharing personal items like razors or towels
• Manage underlying health conditions, especially diabetes
• Boost your immune system through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep
• Avoid picking or squeezing pimples or other skin lesions
• Wear appropriate protective gear when engaging in activities that may cause skin injuries

Can dietary changes help prevent abscesses? While no specific diet can guarantee prevention, a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can support overall immune function, potentially reducing the risk of infections, including abscesses.

Long-Term Outlook: Recovery and Potential Complications

The prognosis for most abscesses is generally good with proper treatment. However, it’s important to be aware of potential complications and the possibility of recurrence.

Recovery Timeline

After drainage, most abscesses begin to heal within a few days to weeks. The exact timeline depends on factors such as:

• Size and depth of the abscess
• Location on the body
• Overall health of the patient
• Adherence to aftercare instructions

Potential Complications

While rare, complications can occur, including:

• Spread of infection to deeper tissues or the bloodstream (sepsis)
• Recurrence of the abscess
• Scarring
• Damage to nearby structures (in case of deep abscesses)
• Chronic wounds or fistulas

Follow-Up Care

After treatment, it’s crucial to:

• Keep the area clean and dry
• Change dressings as instructed
• Complete any prescribed antibiotic course
• Attend follow-up appointments
• Monitor for signs of recurrence or complications

What is the likelihood of an abscess recurring? Recurrence rates vary depending on the location and underlying factors. For example, pilonidal abscesses have a higher recurrence rate (up to 40% in some studies) compared to simple cutaneous abscesses. Addressing risk factors and following proper aftercare can help reduce the chance of recurrence.

Emerging Treatments and Research: The Future of Abscess Management

As medical science advances, new approaches to treating and preventing abscesses are being explored. These developments offer hope for more effective and less invasive management strategies.

Novel Antibiotic Approaches

Researchers are investigating new antibiotic formulations and delivery methods to improve efficacy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria often found in abscesses. Some promising areas include:

• Nanoparticle-based antibiotics for enhanced penetration
• Combination therapies targeting multiple bacterial mechanisms
• Localized antibiotic delivery systems

Immunomodulatory Therapies

Studies are exploring ways to enhance the body’s natural immune response to bacterial infections, potentially preventing abscess formation or accelerating healing. This includes:

• Targeted immunostimulants
• Cytokine therapies
• Vaccines against common abscess-causing bacteria

Minimally Invasive Drainage Techniques

Advancements in medical technology are leading to less invasive drainage procedures, such as:

• Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration
• Catheter-based drainage systems
• Endoscopic drainage for internal abscesses

Biofilm Disruption Strategies

Many chronic or recurrent abscesses involve bacterial biofilms, which are resistant to traditional treatments. New approaches focus on:

• Enzymes that break down biofilm structures
• Surface-modifying agents to prevent biofilm formation
• Combination therapies targeting both biofilms and planktonic bacteria

How close are these new treatments to becoming widely available? While many of these approaches show promise in laboratory and early clinical studies, it typically takes several years for new treatments to complete rigorous testing and gain regulatory approval. However, some minimally invasive drainage techniques are already being implemented in specialized centers.

As research progresses, the management of abscesses is likely to become more personalized, efficient, and less invasive, potentially reducing recovery times and improving outcomes for patients. Staying informed about these developments can help individuals and healthcare providers make the best decisions for abscess treatment and prevention.

Causes, Symptoms, Tests, and Treatment

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Abscess Overview
• Abscess Causes
• Abscess Symptoms
• Abscess Treatment: Self-Care at Home
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps: Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• More

A skin abscess is a tender mass generally surrounded by a colored area from pink to deep red. Abscesses are often easy to feel by touching. The vast majority of them are caused by infections. Inside, they are full of pus, bacteria and debris.

Painful and warm to touch, abscesses can show up any place on your body. The most common sites on the skin in your armpits (axillae), areas around your anus and vagina (Bartholin gland abscess), the base of your spine (pilonidal abscess), around a tooth (dental abscess), and in your groin. Inflammation around a hair follicle can also lead to the formation of an abscess, which is called a boil (furuncle).

Unlike other infections, antibiotics alone will not usually cure an abscess. In general an abscess must open and drain in order for it to improve. Sometimes draining occurs on its own, but generally it must be opened with the help of a warm compress or by a doctor in a procedure called incision and drainage (I&D).

When our normal skin barrier is broken, even from minor trauma, or small tears, or inflammation, bacteria can enter the skin. An abscess can form as your body’s defenses try to kill these germs with your inflammatory response (white blood cells = pus). Obstruction in a sweat or oil (sebaceous) gland, or a hair follicle or a pre-existing cyst can also trigger an abscess. 

The middle of the abscess liquefies and contains dead cells, bacteria, and other debris. This area begins to grow, creating tension under the skin and further inflammation of the surrounding tissues. Pressure and inflammation cause the pain.

People with weakened immune systems get certain abscesses more often. Those with any of the following are all at risk for having more severe abscesses. This is because the body has a decreased ability to ward off infections.

• Chronic steroid therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• AIDS
• Sickle cell disease
• Peripheral vascular disorders
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Severe burns
• Severe trauma
• Alcoholism or IV drug abuse
• Obesity

Other risk factors for abscess include exposure to dirty environments, exposure to persons with certain types of skin infections, poor hygiene, and poor circulation.

Most often, an abscess becomes a painful, compressible mass that is red, warm to touch, and tender.

• As some abscesses progress, they may “point” and come to a head so you can see the material inside and then spontaneously open (rupture).
• Most will continue to get worse without care. The infection can spread to the tissues under the skin and even into the bloodstream.
• If the infection spreads into deeper tissue, you may develop a fever and begin to feel ill.

• If the abscess is small (less than 1 cm or less than a half-inch across), applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times daily may help.
• Do not attempt to drain the abscess by squeezing or pressing on it. This can push the infected material into the deeper tissues.
• Do not stick a needle or other sharp instrument into the abscess center, because you may injure an underlying blood vessel or cause the infection to spread.

Call your doctor if any of the following occur with an abscess:

• You have a sore larger than 1 cm or a half-inch across.
• The sore continues to enlarge or becomes more painful.
• The sore is on or near your rectal or groin area.
• You develop a fever.
• You notice red streaks, which can mean the infection is spreading.
• You have any of the medical conditions listed above.

Go to a hospital’s Emergency Department if any of these conditions occur with an abscess:

• Fever of 102°F or higher, especially if you have a chronic disease or are on steroids, chemotherapy, or dialysis
• A red streak leading away from the sore or with tender lymph nodes (lumps) in an area anywhere between the abscess and your chest area (for example, an abscess on your leg can cause swollen lymph nodes in your groin area)
• Any facial abscess larger than 1 cm or a half-inch across

The doctor will take a medical history and may ask you:

• How long the abscess has been present
• If you recall any injury to that area
• What medicines you may be taking
• If you have any allergies
• If you have had a fever at home

The doctor will examine the abscess and surrounding areas. If it is near your anus, the doctor will perform a rectal exam. If an arm or leg is involved, the doctor will feel for a lymph gland either in your groin or under your arm.

The doctor may open and drain the abscess.

Follow carefully any instructions your doctor gives you.

• The doctor may have you remove the packing yourself with instructions on the best way to do this. This may include soaking or flushing.
• Be sure to keep all follow-up appointments.
• Report any fever, redness, swelling, or increased pain to your doctor immediately.

Maintain good personal hygiene by washing your skin with soap and water regularly.

• Take care to avoid nicking yourself when shaving your underarms or pubic area.
• Seek immediate medical attention for any puncture wounds, especially if:
  • You think there may be some debris in the wound.
  • The puncture wound was caused by a bite – human, insect or animal.
  • You have one of the listed medical conditions.
  • You are on steroids or chemotherapy.

Once treated, the abscess should heal.

• Many people require antibiotics, but you may not.
• The pain often improves immediately and subsides more each day.
• Wound care instructions from your doctor may include wound repacking, soaking, washing, or bandaging for about 7 to 10 days. This usually depends on the size and severity of the abscess.
• After the first 2 days, drainage from the abscess should be minimal to none. All sores should heal in 10-14 days.

abscess, abscesses, boils, carbuncles, furuncles, hidradenitis suppurativa, pilonidal abscess, pustules, whiteheads

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Causes, Symptoms, Tests, and Treatment

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Abscess Overview
• Abscess Causes
• Abscess Symptoms
• Abscess Treatment: Self-Care at Home
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps: Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• More

A skin abscess is a tender mass generally surrounded by a colored area from pink to deep red. Abscesses are often easy to feel by touching. The vast majority of them are caused by infections. Inside, they are full of pus, bacteria and debris.

Painful and warm to touch, abscesses can show up any place on your body. The most common sites on the skin in your armpits (axillae), areas around your anus and vagina (Bartholin gland abscess), the base of your spine (pilonidal abscess), around a tooth (dental abscess), and in your groin. Inflammation around a hair follicle can also lead to the formation of an abscess, which is called a boil (furuncle).

Unlike other infections, antibiotics alone will not usually cure an abscess. In general an abscess must open and drain in order for it to improve. Sometimes draining occurs on its own, but generally it must be opened with the help of a warm compress or by a doctor in a procedure called incision and drainage (I&D).

When our normal skin barrier is broken, even from minor trauma, or small tears, or inflammation, bacteria can enter the skin. An abscess can form as your body’s defenses try to kill these germs with your inflammatory response (white blood cells = pus). Obstruction in a sweat or oil (sebaceous) gland, or a hair follicle or a pre-existing cyst can also trigger an abscess. 

The middle of the abscess liquefies and contains dead cells, bacteria, and other debris. This area begins to grow, creating tension under the skin and further inflammation of the surrounding tissues. Pressure and inflammation cause the pain.

People with weakened immune systems get certain abscesses more often. Those with any of the following are all at risk for having more severe abscesses. This is because the body has a decreased ability to ward off infections.

• Chronic steroid therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• AIDS
• Sickle cell disease
• Peripheral vascular disorders
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Severe burns
• Severe trauma
• Alcoholism or IV drug abuse
• Obesity

Other risk factors for abscess include exposure to dirty environments, exposure to persons with certain types of skin infections, poor hygiene, and poor circulation.

Most often, an abscess becomes a painful, compressible mass that is red, warm to touch, and tender.

• As some abscesses progress, they may “point” and come to a head so you can see the material inside and then spontaneously open (rupture).
• Most will continue to get worse without care. The infection can spread to the tissues under the skin and even into the bloodstream.
• If the infection spreads into deeper tissue, you may develop a fever and begin to feel ill.

• If the abscess is small (less than 1 cm or less than a half-inch across), applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times daily may help.
• Do not attempt to drain the abscess by squeezing or pressing on it. This can push the infected material into the deeper tissues.
• Do not stick a needle or other sharp instrument into the abscess center, because you may injure an underlying blood vessel or cause the infection to spread.

Call your doctor if any of the following occur with an abscess:

• You have a sore larger than 1 cm or a half-inch across.
• The sore continues to enlarge or becomes more painful.
• The sore is on or near your rectal or groin area.
• You develop a fever.
• You notice red streaks, which can mean the infection is spreading.
• You have any of the medical conditions listed above.

Go to a hospital’s Emergency Department if any of these conditions occur with an abscess:

• Fever of 102°F or higher, especially if you have a chronic disease or are on steroids, chemotherapy, or dialysis
• A red streak leading away from the sore or with tender lymph nodes (lumps) in an area anywhere between the abscess and your chest area (for example, an abscess on your leg can cause swollen lymph nodes in your groin area)
• Any facial abscess larger than 1 cm or a half-inch across

The doctor will take a medical history and may ask you:

• How long the abscess has been present
• If you recall any injury to that area
• What medicines you may be taking
• If you have any allergies
• If you have had a fever at home

The doctor will examine the abscess and surrounding areas. If it is near your anus, the doctor will perform a rectal exam. If an arm or leg is involved, the doctor will feel for a lymph gland either in your groin or under your arm.

The doctor may open and drain the abscess.

Follow carefully any instructions your doctor gives you.

• The doctor may have you remove the packing yourself with instructions on the best way to do this. This may include soaking or flushing.
• Be sure to keep all follow-up appointments.
• Report any fever, redness, swelling, or increased pain to your doctor immediately.

Maintain good personal hygiene by washing your skin with soap and water regularly.

• Take care to avoid nicking yourself when shaving your underarms or pubic area.
• Seek immediate medical attention for any puncture wounds, especially if:
  • You think there may be some debris in the wound.
  • The puncture wound was caused by a bite – human, insect or animal.
  • You have one of the listed medical conditions.
  • You are on steroids or chemotherapy.

Once treated, the abscess should heal.

• Many people require antibiotics, but you may not.
• The pain often improves immediately and subsides more each day.
• Wound care instructions from your doctor may include wound repacking, soaking, washing, or bandaging for about 7 to 10 days. This usually depends on the size and severity of the abscess.
• After the first 2 days, drainage from the abscess should be minimal to none. All sores should heal in 10-14 days.

abscess, abscesses, boils, carbuncles, furuncles, hidradenitis suppurativa, pilonidal abscess, pustules, whiteheads

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Post-injection abscess.

What is a post-injection abscess?

IMPORTANT
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

Post-injection abscess is a limited purulent-inflammatory focus at the injection site of the drug. An abscess is characterized by the appearance of local edema and reddening of the skin, gradually increasing in the volume of compaction, an increase in pain of a bursting nature, and fluctuation. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the anamnesis and clinical picture (the appearance of a purulent-inflammatory focus at the site of intramuscular and intravenous injections), ultrasound data, MRI of soft tissues. At the stage of infiltration, conservative treatment is effective. The formed abscess is opened surgically and drained.

ICD-10

L02.3 L02.4

• Causes
• Pathogenesis
• Symptoms of post-injection abscess
• Complications
• Diagnostics
• Treatment of post-injection abscess
• Prognosis and prevention
• Prices for treatment

General information

Cases of post-injection abscess formation of soft tissues occur in people of all ages, more often in obese, overweight patients. Most post-injection ulcers develop in the buttocks, since the gluteal muscle is most often used for parenteral administration of drugs. Children have a high proportion of shoulder abscesses as a result of vaccinations. Intravenous drug administration is the most common cause of the formation of a focus of suppuration in the region of the cubital fossa. Post-injection abscesses of this localization are 69% of all cases of purulent-inflammatory processes of soft tissues in drug addicts.

Post-injection abscess

Causes

For the formation of a post-injection focus of suppuration, it is not enough just to get bacteria into the tissues. The human immune system is able to cope with a small number of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms that have overcome the protective barrier of the skin. Other contributing factors must be present for abscess to develop:

• High pathogenicity of microorganisms. Different types of bacteria have different rates of cell division and the ability to resist the immune system. Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa more often cause the formation of a post-injection abscess than opportunistic species that make up the skin microflora.
• Weakening of immunity. It may be the result of a banal seasonal SARS or a serious concomitant disease. The likelihood of developing abscesses is higher in patients with diabetes mellitus, severe cardiovascular, endocrine, and infectious diseases.
• Local circulatory disorders. This is facilitated by the simultaneous introduction of significant volumes of the solution into the muscle (more than 5 ml), the simultaneous introduction of several drugs into one buttock. The first sign of abscess formation is a significant induration at the injection site. The risk of post-injection suppuration increases in bedridden patients, patients with bedsores.
• Local irritant action of drugs. Not only bacteria, but also chemicals can provoke purulent fusion of tissues. Incorrect intramuscular injection of drugs intended for intravenous or subcutaneous infusions can cause necrosis and inflammation. An individual reaction can be given by a drug that is approved for intramuscular use, but is not suitable for a particular patient.
• Violation of injection technique. The factors for the development of post-injection complications are non-compliance with the rules of asepsis and antisepsis, the use of the wrong solvent, too rapid administration of solutions, and incompatibility of different drugs. One of the consequences of improper technique can be damage to vessels of various diameters with a needle. Blood clots are a substrate for the multiplication of microorganisms and the formation of a post-injection abscess.

Pathogenesis

The development of an inflammatory reaction is based on the release of a large number of lysosomal enzymes from damaged and dead cells into the extracellular environment, which change the metabolism in the pathological focus. In the zone of necrosis, the metabolism slows down, and in the areas adjacent to it it sharply increases, which leads to an increase in the consumption of oxygen and nutrients, the development of acidosis due to the accumulation of underoxidized products: lactic, pyruvic and other acids.

The blood supply of the pathological focus changes: the blood flow increases and the outflow slows down. This explains the redness of the affected area. Blood vessels dilate, the permeability of capillaries to blood plasma and cells increases. Leukocytes and macrophages enter the tissues. Local influx of fluid leads to the formation of edema. Compression of the nerve endings provokes pain. This is the stage of infiltration, when there is no pus in the focus of inflammation yet. Under favorable conditions at the stage of infiltration, the changes are reversible.

At the stage of abscessing, dead tissue and dead cells of the immune system form pus. Post-injection abscess is located in the center of the focus of inflammation. Pus clots are delimited from healthy tissues by a granulation shaft. Pus does not resolve. It is possible to eliminate inflammation only if conditions are created for the outflow of the contents of the abscess.

Symptoms of post-injection abscess

The pathological focus forms within a few days. The onset of the disease may go unnoticed by the patient due to the slight severity of symptoms. The first manifestations of developing purulent inflammation can be masked by pain and swelling of the injection sites, due to the physiological response to the administration of drugs. It is possible to distinguish between the formation of an inflammatory infiltrate and a reaction that is normal for intramuscular injections with a careful attitude to your feelings.

Pain after an injection, immediately sharp bursting, then aching. Its intensity decreases rather quickly. Pain with a ripening abscess is constantly increasing. Normally, the seal after injections is quite uniform, its temperature does not differ from the temperature of the surrounding areas, the skin over the seal is of a normal color. The addition of an inflammatory reaction is marked by a noticeable local increase in temperature. The increase in swelling and pain in the buttock leads to the fact that it is impossible to sit on the affected side. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated by walking and performing other movements. Pressure on the abscess area is sharply painful, while the usual seal can be felt without provoking pronounced discomfort in the patient.

Post-injection abscess is characterized by fever with an increase in body temperature up to 39-40oC. However, focusing only on this symptom is not worth it. If the inflammatory focus develops against the background of ongoing injections of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have analgesic and antipyretic effects, then there is no hyperthermia.

Complications

The rapid development of infection in the focus can provoke the formation of pus in the intermuscular spaces. The spread of bacteria in the tissues causes the development of extensive phlegmon of the buttocks, thighs, and shoulders. There is a danger of the formation of long-term non-healing fistulas of soft tissues and rectal fistulas. A breakthrough of pus into the bloodstream causes sepsis, pericarditis, osteomyelitis, DIC – in these cases, even with the appointment of adequate treatment, the outcome for the patient may be unfavorable.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is easy for the consulting surgeon. A characteristic pentad of signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, pain, fever, dysfunction) at the injection site allows you to quickly determine the nature of the pathological process. A positive symptom of fluctuation indicates the presence of fluid in the focus, which is an indication for a surgical operation. To confirm the diagnosis of post-injection abscess in doubtful cases, the following is performed:

• Abscess ultrasound. In three out of four cases, the accumulation of pus is localized in the thickness of the muscle and intermuscular spaces, and only in 25% of cases in the subcutaneous tissue. The shape of the purulent cavity is oval. Its largest radius is parallel to the axis of the body. Ultrasound of soft tissues makes it possible to distinguish between infiltration and suppuration with a deep location of the pathological focus in the tissues, to identify streaks and “pockets” that may go unnoticed during the surgical operation.
• MRI of the affected area. It is prescribed in cases where the information content of ultrasound is insufficient to make a correct diagnosis. On the pictures obtained by the method of magnetic resonance imaging, soft tissues, bones, internal organs of the studied area are visualized. This allows you to detect pathological changes, conduct differential diagnosis, and identify complications.
• Laboratory tests. In order to select an effective antibacterial drug, sowing of the contents of the abscess on the flora and its sensitivity to antibiotics can be performed. It is mandatory to perform a general and biochemical blood test, a general urine test to exclude pathology from the internal organs.

Treatment of post-injection abscess

Approaches to the treatment of abscesses at the stages of infiltration and suppuration are fundamentally different. In the first case, conservative therapy is indicated, in the second – a surgical operation. The basic principles of conservative local treatment of infiltrates can be successfully applied to the rapid resorption of post-injection seals that do not have signs of inflammation.

• General treatment. Its volume is determined by the doctor based on the clinical picture. Anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are aimed at resolving the inflammatory process. Additionally, infusion therapy may be prescribed to combat intoxication.
• Topical therapy. It involves the application of Vishnevsky ointment to the affected area or the use of compresses with dimexide. At the initial stages, it is allowed to perform an iodine grid. If the condition does not improve within a day, it is advisable to use more effective drugs.
• Physiotherapy. All thermal influences are prohibited. Effective electrophoresis of anti-inflammatory drugs, diadynamic currents. Physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed simultaneously with local and general anti-inflammatory treatment.
• Surgical operation. Opening and drainage of the purulent cavity is performed under local anesthesia. Under general anesthesia, the operation is performed when the post-injection abscess is located deep in the tissues. In the postoperative period, general and local conservative treatment is carried out, physiotherapy procedures are prescribed.

Prognosis and prevention

The prognosis of post-injection suppuration is favorable, provided timely seeking medical help. Otherwise, the development of complications of the disease is possible. Spontaneous opening and emptying of a deep abscess is impossible, and without the evacuation of pus from the cavity, recovery does not occur. Surgical opening of the abscess allows you to solve the problem in one day.

Prevention of post-injection complications involves the introduction of drugs parenterally in medical institutions by medical personnel, the rejection of self-treatment. It is advisable to change the injection sites for solutions during a course appointment: if seals have already formed on the buttocks, you can inject drugs into the muscles of the anterior surface of the thigh. Do not administer intravenous infusions into muscles, even if the veins are thin and brittle. It is desirable to make the injection course as short as possible, continuing the treatment with tablets.

You can share your medical history, what helped you with the treatment of post-injection abscess.

Sources

1. Surgical treatment of post-injection soft tissue abscesses and pharmacological possibilities in improving the efficiency and safety of injections: Abstract of the thesis / Elkhov I.V. – 2007.
2. Post-injection bruises, infiltrates, necrosis and abscesses / Urakov AL, Urakova NA// Modern problems of science and education. – 2012 – No. 5.
3. Local post-injection complications or drug-iatrogenic disease – injection disease/ Urakova N.A., Urakov A.L.// Problems of expertise in medicine. – 2014.
4. Treatment of post-injection infiltrates, abscesses and phlegmons / Kolb LI / / Military medicine. – 2009 – No. 1.
5. This article was prepared based on the site: https://www.krasotaimedicina.ru/

In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

Abscess: features and types, signs Abscess, diagnosis and treatment | Pathologies

Abscess – a limited cavity filled with pus, which arose as a result of localized acute purulent, infectious inflammation of loose fiber, less often other tissues and organs. Abscess as a disease in domestic cats and dogs is a fairly common ailment.

Types of abscesses (abscesses, ulcers) in animals

Abscesses are:

• sharp,
• subacute,
• chronic,
• aseptic,
• infectious,
• surface,
• deep,
• benign,
• malignant,
• metastatic,
• cold,
• leaky.

Depending on the stage of development, there are formed, maturing or mature abscesses.

Causes of abscess development

Abscesses occur as a result of the introduction of pyogenic microorganisms into the tissues, more often they are staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, actinomycetes and other fungi and bacteria.

Superficial mature abscesses are easily diagnosed, flow easily, give fewer complications, often heal on their own, after spontaneous opening. Subcutaneous abscesses can occur with deep purulent-necrotic processes (arthritis, osteomyelitis).

Deep abscesses are more difficult to diagnose, they leak heavily, and are complicated by the breakthrough of pus into tissues and organs. Sometimes they are encapsulated (closed with a capsule, and the infection remains as in a capsule), which creates a focus of a “dormant” infection. Reduced immunity, surgical interventions contribute to the release of the infection beyond the capsule, and an outbreak of a “dormant” infection begins, which in most cases ends in sepsis (blood poisoning).

Malignant abscesses are characterized by diffuse painful foci with hot edema, purulent breakthroughs, phlegmon may develop. The contents of the abscess are dirty-brown in color, fetid, there is gas. Tuberculous abscess is the most striking example.

A cold abscess is characterized by a chronic course, delayed maturation, virtually no signs of inflammation, and slight pain. As a rule, they spontaneously open and pus flows out of the abscess for a long time, a fistula is formed.

Swelling abscess is a type of cold abscess. It is formed due to pus from an existing cold abscess that penetrates along the vessels and nerves into intermuscular and other connective tissues. In sheep, such abscesses are observed with brucellosis, in horses – with prolonged abscesses and phlegmon, in cows – with tuberculosis.

Metastatic abscesses are usually acute. They are formed as a result of the transfer of microbes by blood and lymph from the primary focus to the internal organs. Often observed in sepsis with metastases.

Turpentine abscess refers to aseptic benign. It is formed under the influence of turpentine injection under the skin, or into the muscle. It is a curative veterinary abscess. During the formation of such an abscess, the microorganisms in the blood and tissues are concentrated, as if fixed in it, and die under the influence of turpentine.

Diagnosis and treatment of abscesses

The diagnosis is made on the basis of a clinical examination of the animal.