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What Causes Recurrent Facial Abscess?

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Posted on Mon, 30 Jun 2014
Question: Hi i have recurring facial abcesses that i have had surgically removed 3 times and lanced several times, they are superficial. I am currently on Co-Amoxiclav 500/125mg, why is this still recurring, my surgeon said it is superficial they have tested the discharge and under the skin stuff post operation and nothing has flagged up?
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Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Please, get the sample or pus cultured!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this repeated abscess infection despite best efforts of antibiotics and surgical drainage. This should normally address any abscess. The fact that the abscess keeps recurring suggests that this infectious site has never been successfully sterilized. The most likely cause of this would be that the drugs being used are probably not effective on the germ causing this abscess.

I will suggest that you get this sample cultured in the laboratory. This will permit isolation of the causative agent and what antibiotics are effective at eradicating this infection. This would open the doors to getting an appropriate antibiotic for this.

Irrespective of the number of times you use antibiotics, if the germs are not sensitive to the antibiotic, there is no way the infection would ever be cleared completely. I am afraid this is what you have been experiencing!

In all, get culture samples for germ identification and antibiotics sensitivity before continuing with another course of antibiotics.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for ore information and clarifications if need be.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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What Causes Recurrent Facial Abscess?

Brief Answer: Please, get the sample or pus cultured! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this repeated abscess infection despite best efforts of antibiotics and surgical drainage. This should normally address any abscess. The fact that the abscess keeps recurring suggests that this infectious site has never been successfully sterilized. The most likely cause of this would be that the drugs being used are probably not effective on the germ causing this abscess. I will suggest that you get this sample cultured in the laboratory. This will permit isolation of the causative agent and what antibiotics are effective at eradicating this infection. This would open the doors to getting an appropriate antibiotic for this. Irrespective of the number of times you use antibiotics, if the germs are not sensitive to the antibiotic, there is no way the infection would ever be cleared completely. I am afraid this is what you have been experiencing! In all, get culture samples for germ identification and antibiotics sensitivity before continuing with another course of antibiotics. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and feel free to ask for ore information and clarifications if need be.