Abscess is a term that refers to a lesion with pus appearing after infection. This condition can develop anywhere in the body, so it is quite dangerous, or in some cases fatal. So what is the cause, how to prevent it, and is it dangerous to have an abscess? Let’s find out in detail through the article below!
What is an abscess? Signs of recognition
An abscess is the formation of a pus pocket containing the tip of pus fluid, the pus pocket is formed by the natural immune mechanism. When the body is invaded by bacteria or germs, the immune system will be activated to eliminate them, at which time white blood cells in the body will be mobilized at the site of infection to perform the task. The pus in an abscess contains a mixture, including white blood cells, dead bacteria and patches of dead cells.
An abscess forms anywhere on the body. Furthermore, the most common and common symptoms are fever, discomfort or the appearance of red, swollen areas (on the skin), vomiting, etc. However, to facilitate diagnosis and treatment, abscesses can be divided into 2 large groups:
- Subcutaneous abscesses: such as muscle abscesses, tooth abscesses, breast abscesses, etc. will often have clear signs, swelling, pain in the swollen area, pus-filled swellings will usually be easy to diagnose and treat.
- Abscesses in the body: such as perianal abscesses, liver abscesses, lung abscesses, etc. usually these symptoms are unclear and difficult to recognize. At this time, you need to use imaging diagnostic equipment such as ultrasound and computed tomography to be able to evaluate the condition.
Causes of abscesses
Causes The main cause of the disease is determined to be infection. Infectious factors that cause patients include:
Bacteria
Bacteria penetrate the tissues beneath the skin and secretory glands causing an inflammatory reaction, intermediate chemicals and white blood cells. Furthermore, clogged sweat and sebaceous glands create conditions for them to enter the body and proliferate.
When the immune system works against bacteria, it secretes a liquid that we often call pus. Among them, staphylococcus aureus is considered the bacteria with the highest prevalence in the world and causes various types of subcutaneous abscesses.or in the spinal dura mater.
Parasites
This type often appears in developed and developing countries, it can be helminths, liver flukes or amoebas, etc. These parasites will often develop inside the body’s internal organs, thereby causing abscesses, for example Liver abscess is caused by liver flukes.
In short, cases of abscess need to observe the size of the abscess, large or small, then go to the clinic to treat the abscess. However, the following subjects are more likely to get the disease than others, typically:
- Polluted or unsanitary living environment;
- Exposure to multiple people with skin infections;
- People suffering from alcohol or drug use;
- Thin, exhausted people or patients with cancer, diabetes, AIDS or ulcerative colitis,..
- Long-term use of corticosteroids and intravenous injections;
- Cases of blood types such as white blood cells, sickle cells;
Is an abscess dangerous?
For small abscesses
Usually small abscesses on the skin will dry and heal on their own after a period of time. In some more severe cases, medication and treatment must be used according to the doctor’s instructions.
For large abscesses
Large abscesses or located inside the body are often more dangerous than small abscesses. Therefore, before performing surgery, the doctor will perform a number of abscess diagnosis methods that will depend on the location of the disease such as:
- Clinical examination: The doctor will observe the red skin, teeth, or examine the abdomen and nerves to locate the abscess;
- Abdominal ultrasound: The doctor will observe the size, nature and location of abscesses in the abdominal cavity;
- X-ray: doctors often prescribe X-rays to assess the level of inflammation. This case often applies when there is a tooth abscess.
- CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This helps doctors detect abscesses deep in the brain parenchyma or abdominal cavity;
In short, are abscesses dangerous? Abscesses are dangerous and require timely treatment in cases with large abscesses, especially abscesses located inside the body. Because they not only cause pain but also affect health and quality. In addition, if not treated promptly and properly, it can cause necrosis or cancer.
How to treat abscesses?
If the abscess is not treated promptly, it will make the condition worse by increasing irritation, spreading to the surrounding area and causing rupture. If there is a rupture in the tissue underneath the skin, pus will flow out, or they will create a fistula and destroy a large area of tissue, making treatment difficult.
However, the most important thing is that you must distinguish between superficial or deep subcutaneous tissue abscesses in body parts. And the way to treat this disease will also depend on:
- In case of tissue underneath the skin: The best treatment method is to make an incision to drain the pus to the outside. Many studies show that combining antibiotics will not bring good results. When the pus stops flowing, the doctor will use gauze to stop the bleeding and bandage the wound.
- In case of small shallow infected pus blocks, the fluid will drain and dry on its own without needing a doctor’s intervention. Additional pain relievers such as paracetamol and aspirin can be used for sensitive patients and according to the doctor’s prescription.
- In case of deep abscess: the doctor will perform surgical intervention by making incisions and draining the infected pus mass combined with the use of antibiotics. Normally, antibiotics will be prescribed based on the results of the antibiogram, given early and in full dosage. Furthermore, incision and drainage of pus will be carried out under the coordination of diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound.
Above is the information that My Auris shares about is an abscess dangerous. From there, help you get pTreatment methods are suitable for each type of disease as well as help abstain from certain foods to help wounds heal faster.
Kim Dung
