What is Skin Abscess

A skin abscess is an infected area of your skin that contains pus and other material. An abscess can happen in any part of your body. Some abscesses break open (rupture) on their own.

Most continue to get worse unless they are treated. The infection can spread deeper into the body and into your blood, which can make you feel sick.

A skin abscess is caused by germs that enter the skin through a cut or scrape. It can also be caused by blocked oil and sweat glands or infected hair follicles.

This condition is usually treated by:

• Draining the pus.
• Taking antibiotic medicines.
• Placing a warm, wet washcloth over the abscess.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your doctor. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

Abscess care

• If you have an abscess that has not drained, place a warm, clean, wet washcloth over the abscess several times a day. Do this as told by your doctor.
• Follow instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your abscess. Make sure you:
  • Cover the abscess with a bandage (dressing).
  • Change your bandage or gauze as told by your doctor.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change the bandage or gauze. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
• Check your abscess every day for signs that the infection is getting worse. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • More pus or a bad smell.

General instructions

• To avoid spreading the infection:
  • Do not share personal care items, towels, or hot tubs with others.
  • Avoid making skin-to-skin contact with other people.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your abscess.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your abscess.
• Your abscess feels warm when you touch it.
• You have more pus or a bad smell coming from your abscess.
• You have a fever.
• Your muscles ache.
• You have chills.
• You feel sick.

Get help right away if:

• You have very bad (severe) pain.
• You see red streaks on your skin spreading away from the abscess.

Summary

• A skin abscess is an infected area of your skin that contains pus and other material.
• The abscess is caused by germs that enter the skin through a cut or scrape. It can also be caused by blocked oil and sweat glands or infected hair follicles.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on caring for your abscess, taking medicines, preventing infections, and keeping follow-up visits.