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Had Abscess, Cut And Drained. Taking Antibiotics. Feel Hardness. How To Get Rid Of This?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Jun 2013
Question: I had an abcess on my thigh. Went to hospital and they cut it and drained
It. Took antibiotics but it is two weeks now and it is still hard. Not red and no puss. Does the hardness go away? Should I take more antibiotics?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (20 minutes later)
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Any infection or trauma to any aspect of the body can result in fibrosis which is essentially the formation of scar tissue.

This scar tissue would feel hard to the touch and would not be painful. As the area remodels the hardness or consistency of the tissue will change and it will soften.
The time it takes for this to occur varies- from weeks in some persons to months in others. Most often the area does not return completely to how it was originally.

It does not indicate infection. An abscess would present with pain, swelling, increased warmth of the area ,redness and possibly a discharge if it ruptures.
If any of these symptoms of infection occur then antibiotics would be needed.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Had Abscess, Cut And Drained. Taking Antibiotics. Feel Hardness. How To Get Rid Of This?

HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Any infection or trauma to any aspect of the body can result in fibrosis which is essentially the formation of scar tissue.

This scar tissue would feel hard to the touch and would not be painful. As the area remodels the hardness or consistency of the tissue will change and it will soften.
The time it takes for this to occur varies- from weeks in some persons to months in others. Most often the area does not return completely to how it was originally.

It does not indicate infection. An abscess would present with pain, swelling, increased warmth of the area ,redness and possibly a discharge if it ruptures.
If any of these symptoms of infection occur then antibiotics would be needed.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions