If you’ve suffered a cut, scrape or even been bitten by a bug, it’s important to keep the affected area clean until it heals or scabs over.
Openings in the skin can serve as a route for bacteria to enter, and when bacteria gets beneath the skin, an abscess may form.
Abscesses are characterized by swelling, redness, tenderness and pus buildup.
Though they have the potential to develop anywhere on the body, they’re more likely to develop in areas with a greater amount of sweat glands. These areas include in the underarm, groin and genital area.
Untreated abscesses may result in a high fever and can lead to further complications for patients with pre-existing medical conditions, such as kidney issues or patients receiving chemotherapy treatment.
Abscess Treatment
In order to adequately heal, abscesses needed to be drained of the pus inside. This is most commonly done via a minimally invasive surgical incision into the abscess.
Following drainage, the abscess is packed to prevent pus from returning, thereby allowing the area to heal.
Patients with complicated abscesses may need to get Intravenous Injection Antibiotic.
At DuPage Immediate Care, we make abscess treatment as comfortable as possible by using a local anesthetic to numb the affected area before draining it and by administering the IV Antibiotic treatment.
Contact us today for more information on abscess drainage and treatment.
