A skin abscess might hurt and feel warm when you touch it. It's easier to tell if you have a skin abscess because you can see and touch it.
But when someone gets an abscess in another part of the body, there will still be clues that something is wrong. With a tooth abscess, for example, people will feel pain even though they can't see the abscess.
Abscesses can form wherever the body is fighting off an infection. For example, a skin abscess can appear when germs get into the body through an opening in the skin like a cut, insect sting, or burn. Most germs don't belong in a healthy body and the immune system knows it: It's the immune system's job to be on the lookout for infection.
After figuring out that something is wrong, it sends in the troops otherwise known as white blood cells to destroy whatever's causing the infection. Some of these white blood cells will end up in pus, which also includes stuff like dead skin and dead germs. The body considers pus garbage and will try to get rid of it.
But when pus collects in an abscess, it may not be able to drain out. As pus builds up, it can press against the skin and surrounding inflamed tissue, causing pain. Some abscesses are caused by an irritant like an injected medication that was not completely absorbed.
Since they're not caused by infection, these kinds of abscesses are called "sterile" abscesses. Sterile abscesses aren't as common as infected abscesses, but they can happen on occasion. Most abscesses can be managed at home. If you think you have a skin abscess, avoid touching, pushing, popping, or squeezing it. Doing that can spread the infection or push it deeper inside the body, making things worse. Try using a warm compress to see if that opens up the abscess so it can drain.
You can make a compress by wetting a washcloth with warm — not hot — water and placing it over the abscess for several minutes. Do this a few times a day, and wash your hands well before and after applying the washcloth. You may also need to take antibiotic medicine. An abscess is a collection of pus. Pus is a thick fluid that usually contains white blood cells, dead tissue and germs bacteria. The pus may be yellow or green and may have a bad smell.
The usual cause is an infection with bacteria. Certain bacteria are more likely to be 'pus-forming' as they make chemicals that can damage the body's tissues. These include Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The infection causes the immune system to set off white blood cells and chemicals to fight the bacteria. In this 'battle' some tissue dies. A cavity forms and fills with pus. The cavity becomes bigger if the infection continues and the pus can't get out. The main treatment is to drain away the pus.
Usually this involves a small operation to make a cut in the skin and allow the pus to drain. A local anaesthetic may be used to numb the area but may not be necessary. A scar will form as the skin heals. If the abscess is deep, a small piece of gauze antiseptic wick may be put in the drainage hole.
This stops the hole from sealing over before all of the pus has drained and the cavity has shrunk. A more difficult operation is needed to drain the infection when it is inside the body. The techniques vary, depending on the site. Sometimes a tube will be left in the hole to drain the pus.
Medicines called antibiotics may also be prescribed, especially if there is infection in the skin cellulitis. However, they are often not able to treat the infection on their own.
A skin abscess would normally eventually burst on to the skin surface and let out the pus. This may be after it becomes larger and more painful. So surgical drainage is usually best. However, a small boil may burst and heal without treatment. An untreated abscess inside the body is usually very serious.
You are likely to become very ill and treatment is usually needed. It is difficult to prevent inside the body as it usually happens in people who are ill with other problems. Untreated abscess infections can worsen if the patient has poor dental hygiene , does not drink enough water, and eats a lot of sugar. Abscess infections are treatable, especially in the early stages. The abscess treatment protocol may include a few options for optimal infection removal. Your dentist will recommend the best course of treatment for your situation and may give you home remedies to help you control any residual symptoms.
Initially, the surgeon will make a tiny cut in the abscess to drain it. They will then use saline water to wash the area. They will drill into the affected tooth to get rid of the infected central tissue pulp and replace it with a synthetic material.
They will then drain the abscess and seal the chamber to complete the root canal. However, if the infected tooth is beyond saving, the surgeon might extract it and drain the abscess to remove the infection.
If the abscess is in the gum, the dentist then might perform scaling and root planing to thoroughly clean the teeth and gums and reduce the size of the periodontal pockets.
But if they do, dentists might prescribe an antibiotic to suppress the spread. Post-surgery at-home remedies include rinsing the mouth with saltwater and taking prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers. What you want to do is clean out the area around your tooth as thoroughly as possible. Patients are advised to follow preventive measures to reduce the risk of another infection after their dental abscess treatment.
These include regular brushing and flossing, using fluoride toothpaste , and regular visits to the dentist. Once a patient identifies their symptoms, they should consult a periodontist who can evaluate their gum health and remove the infection. Additional non-surgical treatments are necessary only for severe cases. They can help reduce the periodontal pockets and reduce the chances of further issues.
For patients living in Miami who need help with a dental infection , Dr. John Paul Gallardo is available to treat the symptoms and effects of a dental abscess. Call today to schedule an appointment today. Schedule Appointment. What Are Dental Abscesses? The major sign that you have a dental abscess is pain. Table Of Contents. What is a Dental Abscess?
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