An abscess can be a dangerous site of infection which, if not cared for, can lead to inflammation, pain, and fever. If you have already developed an abscess, your infection is well on its way to causing you serious harm. Be careful of cuts around your armpits, spine, tooth, or groin because that is where an abscess is most likely to form. At Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, we treat every issue with gentle compassion. Learn about how you can prevent and treat abscesses with your Florida family doctors. Only a professional can properly care for an abscess. Visit Dr. Joel Biggers and Dr. Elizabeth Biggers to get the help you need.
What Is An Abscess?
An abscess is a pus-filled mass formed from a bacterial infection in a tender cut. Abscesses most commonly form in soft areas of the body more prone to infection. They occur because the white blood cells in your body are working to fight bacteria that have entered a wound. When these cells and bacteria enter a pocket of soft tissue it creates pus and forms an abscess. Skin abscesses develop under the skin, while internal abscesses form inside the body. In any case, minor surgery is usually required to correct it.
There are many types of abscesses your Brandon, FL, family doctors want you to know about. A dental abscess can form around your tooth, a pilonidal abscess can form at the base of your spine, and a Bartholin gland abscess can form around your anus. All of these high-risk areas can create infections that lead to serious medical issues. Be on the look-out for common symptoms associated with an abscess.
Common Symptoms of An Abscess:
- Boil on the skin
- Pus leaking from a cut
- Inflammation in the affected area
- Chills
- Fever
Abscess Treatment
To deal with an abscess, your doctor will have to drain the pus out of the infected area. Once this infectious bacteria is removed the wound can be cleaned further to stop the spread. Antibiotics are also useful to prevent the infection from harming your body, but they cannot defeat an abscess alone. For skin infections, the abscess can be drained with a local anesthetic and minor incision. For internal abscesses, a needle and stronger anesthetic may be required for drainage. More invasive surgery may be required to access hard-to-reach internal abscesses. After a short recovery, you will begin to feel much healthier and your body will be free of toxic pus.
If you are at risk of an abscess, call Biggers Family Medicine at (813) 655-4646 or visit our office in Brandon, FL. An abscess only gets worse if you wait, so call today to schedule an appointment with the Biggers family doctors.