You have a red, tender bump under the skin or on the skin’s surface. It is hot, tender and could be draining pus or fluid. The question is: is it just a pimple that’s going to pass or is it something more serious?
Abscesses are pockets of infection (pus) contained within inflamed tissue. It’s not the same pimple. A pimple is a small infection that occurs at the top of the skin and typically clears up in days or weeks, caused by oily skin glands becoming clogged and bacteria multiplying. An abscess is deeper, bigger and more serious.
Bacteria can enter the tissue through a cut or puncture wound or through the hair follicles and lead to the formation of abscesses. The body’s immune system surrounds the infection with a capsule of inflamed tissue, which allows it to isolate the infection. As more pus builds up within the abscess, the pressure within the abscess continues to rise.
That is the reason for the worsening pain of an abscess. The pus compresses nerves and surrounding tissues leading to throbbing pain that increases over hours or days. Their skin changes color, turns red, and gets hot and swollen. An abscess can’t be cured with home care. Warm compresses, antibiotics and topical ointments don’t cure the pus build-up and the abscess will not heal, it will grow and become more painful.
Abscess should be drained. A small incision is made under local anaesthetic to come out and drain away all the pus fluid, clean the cavity and allow to heal from inside out. The procedure takes 10–20 minutes and provides immediate relief from the pressure and pain.
Why this is a better solution than letting it break on its own? A ruptured abscess may not drain completely and will reoccur because of the pus left in the cavity. Drainage is also a risk of spreading the infection into deeper tissue or bloodstream leading to serious disease.
Infected lump surgery or professional drainage is also necessary for other infected growths: infected cysts, infected lipomas, or infected sebaceous cysts. All of these need to be professionally managed. When is the time to get professional abscess treatment?
If after 24-48 hours you have a red, warm, tender lump, or if it is associated with fever or feeling unwell, see professionals immediately. Avoid squeezing or draining an abscess at home. Complete removal of the infection and minimum recurrence will occur if the patient is taken to a surgeon to be professionally drained.
Have professional abscess drainage now and forget the pain!
