abscesses are caused by bacterial infections. They can occur in different organs and tissues of the body, and their presence indicates infection. Abscesses are usually accompanied by high fever, chills, sweating, malaise, and pain to the touch. The formation of abscesses is caused by the accumulation of pus (a pasty and yellowish liquid containing dead cells, bacteria and neutrophils) which is surrounded by a tissue that isolates this material. This is a way to prevent the bacteria present in this region from migrating to other parts of the body, but also prevents the access of antibiotics and the arrival of new white blood cells to the site. affected.
The most common type of abscess originates from the hair follicle on the surface of the skin. They are more frequent in obese people, people with seborrhea, poor hygiene, diabetes mellitus, who undergo steroid treatments, wear tight clothing, or with an immune system weakened.
Some small abscesses can be treated with warm compresses on the affected region, promoting spontaneous drainage of the abscess. In other cases, drainage of the abscess is necessary. This drainage is performed surgically or by needle puncture, both with local anesthesia. Draining the abscess speeds up the healing process and relieves the patient's pain. Depending on the size of the lesion, your doctor may choose to leave a drain at the abscess site. Many lesions disappear after drainage, others need drainage combined with the use of antibiotics.
A specialized professional should be sought if the abscess is large, or if the symptoms mentioned occur. Sometimes there can be abscesses in deep organs and it can be difficult to distinguish between an abscess and a tumor. In these cases, the doctor will analyze the drained pus to diagnose the patient's real situation. Some deep organ abscesses warrant hospitalization.
Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology
