Best prescription Rx for skin abscesses

Introduction

Skin abscesses are painful, pus-filled lumps that develop under the skin. They are a common condition, with millions of cases occurring each year in the United States.1 While some minor abscesses may go away on their own, others can lead to serious infections if left untreated. It’s important to know what symptoms to look for and get the right treatment so a skin abscess doesn’t turn into something more serious. .

What is a Skin Abscess?

A skin abscess is a tender mass that is often filled with pus.2 It occurs when bacteria, fungi, or other germs enter the skin, usually through a cut, scrape, or hair follicle. As your body fights the germs, it causes a buildup of pus, leading to the abscess.3

Skin abscesses can develop anywhere on the body, but they are most common in areas with hair follicles and sweat glands, such as the armpits, groin, buttocks, and face.4

They often appear as a red, swollen, painful lump that may feel warm to the touch. Other symptoms can include fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes, especially if the infection spreads.5

They sometimes can be treated at home, but if they show signs of infection or worsening, you should see a healthcare provider for treatment.

Common Causes of Skin Abscesses

Most skin abscesses are caused by bacterial infections. The most common culprit is Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that normally lives on the skin without causing harm.6 However, when these bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin, they can multiply and lead to an infection.

Other bacteria that can cause skin abscesses include Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium.7

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing skin abscesses.

• People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, cancer, or diabetes, are more susceptible to these infections.8
• Poor hygiene, exposure to unsanitary environments, and sharing personal items like razors or towels can also increase the likelihood of developing an abscess.9
• Intravenous drug use is another risk factor, as it can introduce bacteria directly into the body.10

Diagnosing and Treating Skin Abscesses

Some minor abscesses can be treated at home.

• Apply warm compresses to the area to help draw the pus to the surface and promote healing.15
• Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help manage discomfort.

Diagnosing a skin abscess

However, it's essential to monitor the abscess closely and seek medical attention if it does not improve or if symptoms worsen.

A healthcare provider will examine the lump and look for signs of an abscess, such as redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness.11 In some cases, they may need to take a sample of the pus to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection.

For deep abscesses, imaging tests like ultrasounds or CT scans may be necessary to determine the extent of the infection.12

Treating a skin abscess

For minor skin abscesses, your healthcare provider may recommend using a topical antibiotic cream or ointment to help clear the infection. These medications, which are applied directly to the skin, can be effective for small abscesses.

If it’s larger, you may need to have the abscess drained through a procedure called incision and drainage.

• A small cut is made in the abscess to allow the pus to drain out.13
• Your provider may pack the wound with sterile gauze to help it heal from the inside out.
• Some people may also need antibiotics to help get rid of the infection, especially if it is severe or if the person has a weakened immune system.14

After treatment, it's important to follow your healthcare provider's instructions for wound care and follow-up. Most abscesses will begin to heal within a few days to a week, but it's important to watch for signs of worsening infection, such as increased pain, swelling, or fever.25 If you develop any new or concerning symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.

In cases of severe skin abscesses or infections that have spread beyond the original site, prescription oral antibiotics may be needed.

If left untreated, skin abscesses can lead to serious complications. The infection may spread to nearby tissues or even enter the bloodstream, causing life-threatening conditions like sepsis.16

Preventing Skin Abscesses

Preventing skin abscesses starts with good hygiene practices. Here are a few tips to help prevent skin abscesses:

• Wash your hands regularly, especially before and after touching a wound. This can help prevent the spread of bacteria.17
• Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered to reduce the risk of infection.
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels, razors, or needles, as these can spread bacteria from one person to another.18

If you have a chronic skin condition like acne or eczema, managing it effectively can help prevent abscesses from forming.19

If you have a weakened immune system, taking steps to boost your overall health, such as eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep, can also help reduce your risk of developing skin infections.20

Certain high-risk groups may need to take extra precautions to prevent skin abscesses.

• Intravenous drug users can reduce their risk by using clean needles and practicing proper injection technique.21
• Healthcare workers and people who work with animals may need to take additional hygiene measures to avoid exposure to potentially harmful bacteria.12

When to See a Healthcare Provider for a Skin Abscess

While some minor skin abscesses may heal on their own with home care, there are several situations in which medical attention is necessary.

• You have an abscess that is large, extremely painful, or located in a sensitive area like the face or genitals.8
• You a fever, chills, or other signs of a systemic infection.22

Conclusion

Skin abscesses are a common but potentially serious condition that requires prompt attention and care. They usually mean you have an infection. If you have a skin abscess, you will likely need to see a healthcare provider to get it treated. Practicing good hygiene, managing chronic skin conditions can help reduce the risk of skin abscesses.

Citations:

<1>NHS. (n.d.). Skin abscess. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/skin-abscess/</1>

<2>JAMA Network. (2018). Skin Abscess. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2677448</2>

<3>Mount Sinai. (n.d.). Skin abscess Information. Retrieved from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/skin-abscess</3>

<4>Merck Manuals. (n.d.). Cutaneous Abscess. Retrieved from https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/bacterial-skin-infections/cutaneous-abscess</4>

<5>Nemours KidsHealth. (n.d.). Skin Abscesses (for Teens). Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/abscess.html</5>

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<7>nidirect. (n.d.). Abscess. Retrieved from https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/abscess</7>

<8>WebMD. (n.d.). Abscess: Causes, Symptoms, Tests, and Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/abscess</8>

<9>Medical News Today. (2019). Skin abscess: Pictures, symptoms, causes, and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/skin-abscess</9>

<10>Nemours KidsHealth. (n.d.). Skin Abscesses (for Parents). Retrieved from https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/abscess.html</10>

<11>MSD Manuals. (n.d.). Folliculitis and Skin Abscesses. Retrieved from https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/skin-disorders/bacterial-skin-infections/folliculitis-and-skin-abscesses</11>

<12>Healthline. (n.d.). Skin Abscess: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-abscess</12>

<13>Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Abscess: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22876-abscess</13>

<14>eMedicineHealth. (n.d.). Skin Abscess: Treatment, Symptoms, Antibiotics, Types, Surgery & At Home. Retrieved from https://www.emedicinehealth.com/abscess/article_em.htm</14>

<15>NCBI. (2019). Current Treatment Options for Acute Skin and Skin-structure Infections. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6451992/</15>

<16>Alberta Health Services. (n.d.). Skin Abscess: Care Instructions. Retrieved from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uh2789</16>

<17>VeryWell Health. (n.d.). Skin Abscess: Types, Healing Stages, and Pictures. Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/abscess-causes-and-treatment-1068819</17>

<18>Wikipedia. (n.d.). Abscess. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abscess</18>

<19>MedPark Hospital. (n.d.). Abscess - Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.medparkhospital.com/en-US/disease-and-treatment/abscess</19>

<20>UF Health. (n.d.). Skin abscess. Retrieved from https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/skin-abscess</20>

<21>Xing, Y., Li, M., Jiang, Y., & Zhong, Q. (2023). Three Cases of Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacterium Skin Infection Outbreak in Beauty Institutions. Clinical Laboratory, 69(1). https://doi.org/10.7754/Clin.Lab.2022.220501</21>

<22>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Skin Infections | Community | Antibiotic Use | CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/skin-infections.html</22>

<23>Radiopaedia.org. (n.d.). Subcutaneous abscess. Retrieved from https://radiopaedia.org/articles/subcutaneous-abscess</23>

<24>Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Infection caused by staphylococcus bacteria-Staph infections - Symptoms & causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/staph-infections/symptoms-causes/syc-20356221</24>

<25>Healthline. (n.d.). What Causes Skin Abscesses? https://www.healthline.com/health/skin-abscess</25>