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Suggest Treatment For Pus Discharge From An Anal Abscess

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Posted on Wed, 22 Feb 2017
Question: I had an anal abscess that burst on its own about six weeks ago. Went to the doctor, who prescribed antibiotics. Pain went away almost entirely, bleeding stopped. Now I'm still getting a bit of pus draining out, and I pad my underwear with gauze. Currently, the hole where the abscess was has filled in almost fully with red flesh, which I'm assuming is just new tissue forming. Though there is still a small opening because of pus drainage, clearly. And in the past few days I've started to experience periodic mild stinging sensations back there. Nothing like the pain from the abscess before. More like the kind of sting you get if you put salt on an open wound. It's not bad, and I can totally handle it. It's just uncomfortable at times, and annoying, since I just want to recover fully. Is there something I should be doing? Is there something I should worry about? Is this normal?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
need incised, any pus pockets explored and broken down

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is good that the abscess burst and drained on its own but it would have been best if the area was explored with a small forceps to breakdown any pus pockets.

The definitive treatment of an abscess is incision and drainage. Though it can burst and drain on its own , like yours, small pockets/areas of pus remain that can cause re infection to occur.
Exporing it is normally a very short in office procedure that can normally be done by a family doctor unless the absess is large or in a difficult position.

Antibiotics cannot fully penetrate pus for full healing to occur.

In addition to the small incision and drainge, the warm baths (particularly sitz baths with salt or espom salt) and antibiotics should be continued.

It may be best to see your doctor for a review, drainage is not suppose to persist for 6 weeks.
It does not signify that you have a serious or life threatening condition, only that the abscess is not healed as yet.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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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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Suggest Treatment For Pus Discharge From An Anal Abscess

Brief Answer: need incised, any pus pockets explored and broken down Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic It is good that the abscess burst and drained on its own but it would have been best if the area was explored with a small forceps to breakdown any pus pockets. The definitive treatment of an abscess is incision and drainage. Though it can burst and drain on its own , like yours, small pockets/areas of pus remain that can cause re infection to occur. Exporing it is normally a very short in office procedure that can normally be done by a family doctor unless the absess is large or in a difficult position. Antibiotics cannot fully penetrate pus for full healing to occur. In addition to the small incision and drainge, the warm baths (particularly sitz baths with salt or espom salt) and antibiotics should be continued. It may be best to see your doctor for a review, drainage is not suppose to persist for 6 weeks. It does not signify that you have a serious or life threatening condition, only that the abscess is not healed as yet. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions