About this topic
An abscess is a collection of fluid that is infected. This can happen anywhere in your body. If it is on the surface, your skin will be red and raised. It will also be sore when you touch it. If the collection is deeper in your body, you may not be able to easily tell that you have an abscess. It will need to be drained to: ‚
- Get rid of the infection from the body
- Look at the fluid in the wound or area
- Reduce the size of areas that are enlarged
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What care is needed at home?
Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do. Talk to your doctor about: ‚
- What drugs you may need to take
- How to care for your cut site and drainage tube
- What supplies you will need
- If you will need home visits from a nurse
What follow-up care is needed?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- You may go home with a drain tube. If so, the doctor will take the tube out after the drainage has stopped and the infection is gone.
- Be sure to take all of your drugs for infection. These are very important to make sure the infection is fully treated and it goes away completely.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may have to limit your activity to help your wound heal. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Splints may be needed if you have an abscess in your arm, hand, or leg. This will help control motion to let the wound heal faster.
What changes to diet are needed?
No changes to your diet are needed unless the abscess was in your stomach or intestines. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- More infection
- Injury or infection to other organs near the affected area
- Trouble passing urine or moving bowels if abscess is in the belly
- Tube falls out (if still in place)
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Take a bath each day and keep your skin clean.
- Take extra care when you shave so you do not cut yourself.
- See your doctor if you get a cut or sore that is deep or got dirty.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Very bad belly pain
- Problems with your drainage tube like blood in the drainage bag, no drainage, or tube falls out
- Not able to pass urine or have a bowel movement
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
American College of Radiology ‚
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=percabscessdrn ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚