What is an abscess? Diagnosis and treatment

What is an abscess or an abscess is known to practically every person who has ever seen a suppuration on his body. Local infection, which destroys tissues in the focus of inflammation, develops usually after a breach of the integrity of the skin.

What is an abscess?

In the neighborhood of an abscess, nearby tissues create a membrane that separates the abscess from the healthy area. Symptoms are the following: the emergence of a purulent process and the subsequent death of healthy tissues. This is a normal reaction of the body. Consideration of this process at the cellular level will give a clear understanding of what an abscess is. It can be of several types depending on the location: soft tissues, pulmonary, paratonzillar, postinjection and others. All of them are painful and can bring a lot of inconvenience to the patient. In order to understand what an abscess is, you need to well imagine how a focal bacterial infection occurs. The latter is often staphylococcal. This microorganism weakens the general and local immunity. It can get into the body by damaging the skin, because of the extensive and neglected hematoma. Also, infection can occur due to the fact that furuncles and fistulas were not effectively treated. As a result of improperly performed medical manipulations, such as injections and punctures, postinjection abscess may occur. To prevent it, you must strictly follow the rules of asepsis.

Abscess. Photos and symptoms

This process can occur both on the skin and in the thickness of the connective tissue, as well as in any organ. It is difficult to diagnose abscesses in the insides. For this, an ultrasound is performed. Abscesses visible on the surface of the body are located in the thickness of the skin, muscles or in the subcutaneous connective tissue. The first signs of suppuration - the appearance of a firm to the touch node and soreness around it. The skin becomes reddish and swollen. This is a sign that under it is the process of forming a pus filled with pus. The general condition also worsens - temperature, weakness, malaise is possible. However, if the body is strong and healthy, then the appearance of suppuration can go unnoticed. Finally formed, a purulent capsule breaks onto the surface of the skin or into one of the body cavities (if the abscess is in the internal organs). In the first case, the abscess heals. In the second, the infection of the cavity with pus and the development of pathological processes can occur.

Diagnosis and treatment

Recovery will occur more quickly and painlessly if an abscess is detected in the early stages. Wherever it is located, it must be opened, cleaned of the capsule from the contents and treated with the antibiotic wound. In order to implement these procedures, short-term hospitalization is necessary. When running abscesses of internal organs may require surgery to remove the organ. To quickly recover, the patient must fully eat, keep bed rest. Antibiotics prescribe after the test for sensitivity to them.