Abscess: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

    Abscess

Abscess: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is an Abscess?
Causes of Abscesses
Symptoms of Abscess
Diagnosisof an Abscess
Treatment of Abscess

Alternative medicine Treatment

What is an Abscess?

An abscess, also known as a boil, is a painful collection of pus under the skin or in any other part of the body.

Abscesses can be divided into two main types based on their location and development:

1. Cutaneous abscess, which develops and grows under the skin.

2. Internal abscess, which develops and grows inside the body in organs or in the spaces between organs.

Causes of Abscesses

Most types of abscesses develop as a result of bacterial infection, where the body sends white blood cells to the infected areas to fight the infection. This leads to the death of some body tissues, resulting in the formation of a cavity or pocket filled with pus, consisting of dead tissues, white blood cells, and bacteria.

Other causes of abscesses or boils include:

- Presence of foreign bodies inside the body, such as splinters or metallic materials.

- Skin injury from wounds or trauma, especially puncture wounds.

- Infection with other types of pathogens, such as viral, fungal, or parasitic infections.

- Undergoing surgical procedures.

Internal abscesses often develop as complications of other health problems, such as exposure to infections. For example, lung infection can lead to the development of a lung abscess, while a burst appendix due to appendicitis can lead to the spread of bacteria in the abdomen and the development of an abdominal abscess.

Risk Factors for Abscess Formation

Several factors increase the likelihood of developing an abscess, including the following:

·         Suffering from immunodeficiency, such as patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or cancer, or patients receiving chronic steroid therapy, or undergoing chemotherapy.

·         Individuals with diabetes, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.

·         People with burns or severe injuries, alcohol or drug addiction, or obesity.

·         Individuals with specific inflammatory conditions such as Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

·         Carriers of certain types of Staphylococcus bacteria.

Symptoms of Abscess

The accompanying symptoms of cutaneous abscess include:

• Smooth swelling under the skin.
• Pain and tenderness in the affected area.
• Redness and warmth of the affected area.
• Peeling or ulceration of the skin in the affected area.
• Drainage of fluids from the skin.
• Visible accumulation of white or yellow pus under the skin.
• Elevated body temperature (fever).
• Chills.

The accompanying symptoms of internal abscess include:

• Discomfort in the affected area.
• Elevated body temperature.
• Increased sweating.
• Feeling unwell.
• Chills.
• Abdominal pain or swelling.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Headache.
• Joint pain.
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Neurological symptoms (if the abscess compresses certain nerves or parts of the brain).
• Sore throat.
• Pain.

Diagnosis of an Abscess:

Cutaneous abscesses are diagnosed by examining the affected area, taking the patient's medical history, and possibly obtaining a sample of the pus present in the abscess for laboratory examination to determine the type of bacteria causing it. A urine analysis may be performed to detect sugar or glucose in the urine of individuals with multiple abscesses, to assess the possibility of the patient suffering from diabetes, which increases the risk of abscess formation.

Diagnosing an internal abscess is more challenging than diagnosing a cutaneous abscess as it is not visible to the naked eye, often necessitating imaging tests such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT scan).

Prevention of Abscess Formation:

Certain measures may help prevent skin abscesses, including:

• Frequent handwashing, encouraging family members to do the same.
• Using separate towels and avoiding sharing bathrooms.
• Avoiding public facilities like gyms, saunas, or swimming pools until skin abscesses have completely healed and ensuring cleanliness of the areas.
• Refraining from squeezing skin abscesses to drain pus unless done by a healthcare professional, as this increases the risk of bacterial spread to other skin areas.
• Disposing of used tissues used to clean pus from skin abscesses immediately, followed by thorough handwashing.Exercising caution when shaving any skin area and avoiding sharing shaving tools or toothbrushes with others.
• Following a healthy and balanced diet.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and reducing excess weight.
• Quitting smoking.
• Preventing internal abscesses is challenging, as they often develop as complications of other health issues.

Treatment of Abscess

The treatment of most types of abscesses is based on draining the pus contained within them and treating any infection that may be the cause of the development of these abscesses.

The methods used to treat abscesses include the following:

Treatment of Cutaneous Abscesses

Some small cutaneous abscesses may not require any treatment as they may dry up and heal on their own, although the use of warm compresses may aid in recovery.

Certain types of antibiotics may be used to treat larger cutaneous abscesses to assist in recovery and prevent the spread of infection. Additionally, specific types of antiseptic soaps can be used for body cleansing, or topical antibiotics for the nasal area, in individuals who suffer from recurrent infectious diseases.

In some cases, the use of antibiotics alone may not be sufficient to treat cutaneous abscesses, necessitating the drainage and drying of the pus by a specialist. Following this, the abscess is cleansed with a sterile saline solution, left open, and covered with a wound dressing, or a sterile gauze may be placed inside deep abscesses to prevent them from closing and re-accumulating pus.

Treatment of Internal Abscesses

The treatment of internal abscesses requires the drainage of the contained pus through the use of a needle inserted through the skin, or via surgical procedures, depending on the size and location of the internal abscess.

Antibiotics are usually administered concurrently with the drainage of internal abscesses to help kill bacteria and prevent the spread of infection.

Surgical procedures are resorted to for the treatment of internal abscesses in the following cases:

Presence of a large internal abscess that cannot be drained using a needle.

Inability to safely reach the site of the internal abscess with a needle.

Ineffectiveness of complete pus drainage from the internal abscess using a needle.

Alternative medicine Treatment:

Honey Bee (Honey)

Original honey contains several antibiotics, which kill microbes without harming the body. It also contains substances that aid in wound healing, as it dries on the wound and acts as a pure, uncontaminated natural bandage. A thin layer of white honey bee is applied to the abscess and left until dry.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is used as an external antiseptic for abscesses, effectively combating bacteria and fungi. This oil is considered stronger than iodine tincture and is commonly used in microcrome. If tea tree oil causes irritation to your skin, it should be diluted with olive oil or any other plant-based oil.

Hosebalm

Soak a cup of ground leaves in alcohol and let it soak for several days. Then, immerse a gauze bandage in the solution and place it on the contaminated wound. Cover the moist bandage with a dry, clean one and leave it on the wound for several hours.

Echinacea

Echinacea has immune-stimulating properties that aid in wound healing. Echinacea preparations can be used topically to treat superficial wounds. An herbal tea can also be made by boiling the soaked leaves and then consumed.

Golden Seal

This herb contains antimicrobial compounds such as berberine and hydrastine. A poultice can be made from its ground roots and applied to the abscess or contaminated wound, left to dry on it.

Confery (Symphytum)

This herb is locally renowned as a primary defense against slow-healing infected wounds, ulcers, and scratches. It contains allantoin, a compound that helps cleanse wounds and promote healing. It also contains tannic acid, which acts as an astringent and helps in the treatment of wound edges.

The fresh green leaves of this herb can be directly applied to the affected area or its juice can be extracted and applied to the infected wound.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis):

A wash or compress made from this herb can be used to improve the healing of boils. A tablespoon of the herb is infused in a cup of boiling water, and a piece of clean gauze or cloth is soaked in the solution and applied to the wound. It can also be mixed with a teaspoon of honey to make an ointment for wound application.

Gotukola (Centella asiatica):

This herb contains asiatic acid, a compound that stimulates the formation of the tissue necessary for wound healing. When used topically on infected wounds, it helps in wound healing and skin grafting, as well as surgical incisions.

Aloe (Aloe vera):

Thin slices of aloe vera can be applied to boils. This recipe is more effective for superficial wounds and less effective for deep wounds or surgical incisions.

Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata):

The fresh flower buds can be crushed and applied to the wound, or powdered clove flowers can be sprinkled on the wound to protect it from infection. Clove oil can also be used on the wound, as it is rich in the chemical eugenol, which has both antiseptic and analgesic properties.

Garlic (Allium sativum):

Garlic is a potent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent. Its topical use can reduce infection, inflammation, and redness, but it may also cause a burning sensation in some individuals, so some patients may not prefer its topical application.

Al-Khatmi (Marshmallow):

The roots of this plant contain soluble fibers called mucilage that swell in water and transform into a spongy gel-like substance. As a result, it is used as a soothing agent for inflammations, and compresses can be made from it and applied directly to wounds.

Zahret El-Ataas (Arnica):

This herb is also known as mountain tobacco, and it is effective in treating wounds and purifying inflammations. It is characterized by its rapid effect in cases of bruises, wounds, and even dislocations. A tablespoon of the herb is steeped in a cup of boiling water, left to cool, and then used to make a compress.

Ikleel Al-Malik (Melilot):

The active substance in this plant, coumarin, is a plant-based material that promotes wound healing and helps in the growth of skin tissue. The herb powder is mixed with a small amount of water to make an ointment for treating minor wounds, especially those causing redness in the surrounding skin.

Al-Zanjabeel (Ginger):

The leaves or stems of the herb are grated and spread over the wound, then covered and left for a period to alleviate pain and purify the wound.

Al-Batates (Potato):

Thin slices of potato can be placed on the wound and secured with a bandage, left until they absorb the starchy fluid.

Recommended Products

To effectively manage and treat abscesses, consider these Amazon products:

1. Antiseptic Soap: Helps keep the skin clean and prevent infections. Buy Antiseptic Soap on Amazon

2. Warm Compress: Useful for treating small abscesses. Buy Warm Compress on Amazon

3. Sterile Gauze: Essential for covering drained abscesses. Buy Sterile Gauze on Amazon

4. Tea Tree Oil: Effective external antiseptic for abscesses. Buy Tea Tree Oil on Amazon

5. Honey: Natural antibiotic and wound healer. Buy Honey on Amazon

By following these treatment methods and utilizing recommended products, individuals can manage and treat abscesses effectively.

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