An abscess () is a collection of pus (dead neutrophils ) that has accumulated in a cavity formed by the tissue in which the pus resides due to an infectious process (usually caused by bacteria or parasites ) or other foreign materials (e.g., splinters, bullet wounds , or injecting needles). It is a defensive reaction of the tissue to prevent the spread of infectious materials to other parts of the body. One example of an abscess is a BCG-oma , which is caused because of incorrect administration of the BCG vaccine. The organisms or foreign materials kill the local cells , resulting in the release of cytokines . The cytokines trigger an inflammatory response , which draws large numbers of white blood cells to the area and increases the regional blood flow. The final structure of the abscess is an abscess wall, or capsule, that is formed by the adjacent healthy cells in an attempt to keep the pus from infecting neighboring structures. However, such encapsulation tends to prevent immune cells from attacking bacteria in the pus, or from reaching the causative organism or foreign object. Abscesses must be differentiated from empyemas , which are accumulations of pus in a preexisting rather than a newly formed anatomical cavity.
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Premium Questions (34)
my husband has a perianal abcess at what stage should this be drained and do antibiotics help
he had an peri anal abcess drained 3 years this is a reoccurance
I have a abscess on my right side of my groin area. It seems as if my glands are swollen.
I have a abscess on my right side of my groin area. It seems as if my glands are swollen.
I need help, i have an anal abscess that i have had for over 3the months, then two weeks ago i developed small abscess in my throat now everything i eat taste funny and i am having long periods of dizziness. No nausea or vomiting, no tooth...
Infected cyst/abscess
I have had a smallish (maybe 2 cm in diameter) skin abscess or infected cyst on my back next to my cervical spine for the last 2 weeks which doesn't seem to be getting bigger or coming to a head (I tried squeezing it...
I have a bump under my skin in groin area 4 -5 inches under belly button I don't know if its a cyst or in grown hair or abscess?? I had an abscess on inner thigh a few months ago and had to have it drained.
I have gone ICD (Incision Cut & Drain) treatment for Abscess under left armpit on 03.04.2013. The diagnosis was auxiliary abscess. Post ICD the wound had healed completely in 5-6days. Details are as under:
Size of...
I had a cyst on my perineum that turned into an abscess- i had it cut out about 2 yrs ago but it has returned...its not an abscess this time but puss comes out of it...how likely is this to be herpes? Ive had this...
3 days ago i started to feel off, very tired and strange so i took my temperature is was 38.6c so took some paraceptomol and went to bed. later that day i developed nausea and yellow diarrhrea. Temperature has gone down but i now more pain in a...
I am treating abscessed tooth for patient on zithromax. Opened tooth and drained becaused of localized swelling. Can I re rx zithromax or instead go immediately to augmentin?
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Online Doctor Chat (44) - Abscess
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User : I have crohn's . Last March I got to enjoy a perianal abcess for the first time. I needed surgery to drain it. It looks like it has...
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User : My child is 5 months old and suffering from the abscess near the anus. some doctors want to remove this abscess by surgery ....
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User : is pistulla curable
Doctor : do you mean fistula
User : s
Doctor : where is the fistula
User : below right thigh
Doctor : I dint get the place
User : u r from which place
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User : i have abscess on groin area since last 6 months
User : i am taking treatment since last one and half months
User : but it has not been cured completely
Doctor : Ok
User : pus is also...
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User : i was diagnosed with epididymitis about 5 days ago and i was given antibiotics to take 500mg Cipro every 12Hours plus motrin for pain i really havent felt better and actually just...
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Public Forum (126) - Abscess
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Hello my name is Janisa Johnson yesterday afternoon my nine month old daughter was seen for an abscess on her bottom they made an incision and only a little bit of pus I believe has come out. This morning when I went to change her the entire area was inflamed and hard. She s on the antibiotics but I have seen no drainage in her diaper is this...
I had a labila abscess lanced on 3 Jan. 10 days of antibiotics and a shot of rocephin . Now, just 2 weeks later i have know again. Same exact spot bc when viewing in mirror I can actually see incision scar from first surgery. Is it possible that infection never cleared up? Also, I have not had sex, nor had I the first time prior to abscess. I...
Hi Doctor : I would like to get your advice or a second opinion in my case: I have an absess on my skin and the doctor opened it to drain it because it was not getting yellow, they put me a ribbon gasa in the opening and more gasa on top , then some medisport tape to keep it on its place. Now they asked my husband to change it every other day...
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hello!i am from the phil.my friend is alwys having cellulitis every month.she took dalacin c 300mg everytime she had it.and now she is 8wk pregnant .what medicine is safe to take for a patient who is pregnant with cellulitis on the left thigh?thank you so much for your help.God bless always
1 Answer
My son (10mo old) had an abscess lanced on Saturday. The redness seems to be improving but it looks bruised and is very hard. There is no drainage and e incision looks as if its healing. Is this something I should bring him in for right away? He has another appt on Thurs and his ped said if there isn t significant progress he would be...
Hi i am 28 yr old female I had an perianal abcess drained in dec 2010, a fistula formed and then had a core fistolectomy in september 2011. While it seems to have not healed (there is hole either to my bowel) and hole to the skin outside there is a lump which often is itchy and hurts. I am not sure whether this is scar tissue , it is still...
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Three weeks ago I got a facial abscess in my right cheek under my eye. My doctor gave me oral antibiotic (floxacillin 250mg 4xdaily) and fucidin ointment. The abscess went down but tingling remained and some redness and my doctor gave me a second course oral antibiotic and it went away completely. Three weeks later I got another facial abscess...
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I have I think a boil or abscess on my left ankle on the side. It has pus and is slightly painful when you touch it. I am wondering if it is serious? Otherwise, shall I just leave it alone and let nature take its course? Also, I have a scar left from anther boil on my eg, is it possible for it to fade away within time, or s there a treatment?...
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My son get lot of boils on his leg, he scratches a lot. The boils are yellow in color. They some times discharge pus from the wound . I applied some cream, but still it is not come down-
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Within a month while I was away at college I ve developed 2 abscesses on my right underarm and one on my left underarm. I was shaving with an old razor, and using a bad deodorant with aluminium. I have recently had rabies vaccinations too (since i m in the animal care industry) and have been over stressed with very little sleep and a poor diet...
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