When you are in need of medical care, whether you are sick with the flu or dealing with a skin abscess, you can rely on Dr. Joel Biggers and Dr. Elizabeth Biggers at Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL.
What Is an Abscess?
An abscess of the skin is a bacterial infection that forms as a pocket of pus. These abscesses are generally warm to the touch and painful. They can appear anywhere on your body, but they are most often seen around the vagina and anus, armpits, in the groin, the base of the spine, and around a tooth. In some cases, inflammation surrounding a hair follicle can cause an abscess to form, which is more commonly referred to as a boil.
Symptoms of an Abscess
Aside from the abscess being painful and warm to the touch, it will also be pink to deep red around the area. The build-up of white or yellow pus beneath the skin will be visible.
More often than not, an abscess will get worse without proper treatment. The infection can potentially spread to the surrounding tissues beneath the skin and may even enter the bloodstream. In the event the infection spreads to the deeper tissue, you may fall ill and develop a fever.
How to Treat an Abscess at Home
If you are concerned about the abscess, make sure to contact Dr. Biggers or Dr. Biggers at Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL. It is always best to seek professional guidance.
However, as a general rule, as long as the abscess is less than half an inch in diameter, you can apply warm compresses several times per day for about 30 minutes each time. This can often help minimize inflammation and pain. Don’t ever try to drain the abscess, as this could cause the infection to spread, especially deeper into the tissues.
When to Seek Professional Medical Care for an Abscess
If you notice that the abscess is getting worse, call Dr. Biggers. Some signs of the infection worsening include an increase in warmth, swelling, pain, or redness, pus draining from the abscess, a high fever, or red streaks.
If you are ever concerned about an abscess or any other health problem, call Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, at (813) 655-4646 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Biggers or Dr. Biggers.