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Abscess is a collection or pocket of pus (pus is a viscous fluid made up of dead tissue, white blood cells, and pathogens). It is usually painful and may feel like a thick, swollen bulge when touched. Abscesses can cause pain, swelling, and redness in the affected area. They may also cause fever, chills, and other symptoms if the infection spreads to other parts of the body. Treatment for an abscess typically involves draining the pus and treating the underlying infection with antibiotics or other medications. Surgical intervention may sometimes be necessary to remove the abscess completely.
Abscess develops when your body encounters a pathogen's interaction (pathogens are disease-causing organisms). Whenever your body's immune system encounters a pathogen interaction, the body starts off its preparation to fight against the infection by generating primary and secondary responses. White blood cells, which are also known as the fighter cells of the human body, rush to the site and accumulate there to stop the further spread of infection. This can lead to a localized collection of pus that forms within the tissues of the body, which is called an abscess.
Based on their location, abscesses can be of different types:
1. Skin Abscess (Cutaneous Abscess): A skin abscess looks more like a pimple; it appears a boil on or inside the skin, and if internal, it is situated deep inside the skin. Skin abscesses might appear puffy and red. They are very common and easy to treat.
Some of the subtypes include:
2. Oral Abscess: These abscesses can affect your teeth, gums, and throat. An abscess that develops around a tooth is called a "tooth abscess" (dental abscess). Several types of tooth abscesses include
3. Internal Abscesses: Although they are much less common than the other types, internal abscesses can form on your brain, spinal cord, and other organs. Interior abscesses are typically more difficult to identify and manage.
Abscesses are typically caused by bacterial infections. The most common causative organism being the bacteria Staphylococcus. Occasionally, abscesses can be brought on by fungi, viruses, or parasites.
During a bacterial invasion, the immune system of the body becomes active and commands the white blood cells to fight against the infection. This can lead to inflammation and damage to the surrounding tissues. This aids in the development of a pocket-like structure filled with pus, which is known as an abscess.
You may be able to see an abscess under your skin very easily. It could appear red, raised, and swollen. It could feel warm and sensitive to the touch. A skin abscess can also cause discomfort, fever, and chills. In the case of a dental abscess, a strong toothache could be brought on by an abscess in your mouth. A gum abscess appears as gum swelling. Your cheeks, jaw, or mouth floor may occasionally be inflamed.
The symptoms are less visible for deeper skin abscesses or those inside your body. You might encounter:
There are two main types of methods for diagnosing the Abscess
There are several methods to treat the abscess depending on its severity and type
Keep your skin dry and clean to avoid skin abscesses. Most skin abscesses are caused by bacteria entering small wounds. A skin abscess might not always be preventable. There are, however, measures to reduce your risk of contracting the infection that frequently results in an abscess. You can also do the following to avoid skin abscesses:
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