There are so many skin related problems that can affect anyone. The skin abscess is one of the skin condition faced by many people. In this, it is seen that a huge collection of pus develops due to infection or the presence of other foreign materials under the skin. An abscess is typically a painful skin condition, and it appears as a puffed area which is warm to the touch. The area around the abscess often looks pink or red.
Abscesses can develop on many body parts, but they usually involve the skin surface. If they affect deeper in the skin or make a wider skin then they are known as boils. Basically, it is when the many layers of the skin affect the skin. Some of the sites that are affected by the skin abscesses include- the external vaginal area (Bartholin's abscess), and along the tailbone (pilonidal abscess), armpits (axillary area) and inner thigh, rectal area (perirectal abscess). Inflammation surrounding hair follicles or sweat glands ultimately result in the formation of abscesses. Some of the other body parts may include- lungs, shoulders, breast, neck, eyes, stomach or intra-abdominal area, knees, fingers, toes, multiple teeth or an individual tooth (a dental abscess), gums, throat, or tonsils.
The size of the abscess is not same in all cases. It is very large in some cases and may become a kind of cyst. Nevertheless, a cyst can become infected and turn into an abscess.
Abscesses can develop on many body parts, but they usually involve the skin surface. If they affect deeper in the skin or make a wider skin then they are known as boils. Basically, it is when the many layers of the skin affect the skin. Some of the sites that are affected by the skin abscesses include- the external vaginal area (Bartholin's abscess), and along the tailbone (pilonidal abscess), armpits (axillary area) and inner thigh, rectal area (perirectal abscess). Inflammation surrounding hair follicles or sweat glands ultimately result in the formation of abscesses. Some of the other body parts may include- lungs, shoulders, breast, neck, eyes, stomach or intra-abdominal area, knees, fingers, toes, multiple teeth or an individual tooth (a dental abscess), gums, throat, or tonsils.
The size of the abscess is not same in all cases. It is very large in some cases and may become a kind of cyst. Nevertheless, a cyst can become infected and turn into an abscess.
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Causes of the Skin Abscess-
Skin abscesses are mainly caused by either an infectious process (bacteria or parasite) which cause an inflammatory reaction, or sometimes it is due to the foreign substance within the body (such as- a needle or a splinter). In some cases, it may occur after a medical procedure. In case, if the abscess is due to the presence of a foreign body, the inflammatory signal is sent by the immune system of the body which form a cavity or capsule to hold the infection and limit it from spreading to other parts of the body. In the end, the pus starts developing on that particular place which is a bundle of dead cells, bacterias, germs and other debris.
Staphylococcus aureus is the major cause of the skin abscesses in most of the cases. Other causes may include- weakened immune system (either from chronic diseases or from medications). As the immune system is the one which fights back with every bacteria or germ and is responsible for a particular disease.
Some of the other causes of the skin abscesses are- chronic steroid therapy, chemotherapy, diabetes, severe sunburns cancer, Peripheral vascular disease, lupus, dialysis for kidney failure, tattoos, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell disease, Alcoholism.
It is very important to treat them at the right time To treat them you may consult Urgent Care Clinics. If you are ailing from skin abscesses, visit our website.