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, raised, and hurt 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
- Check the fluid in the wound or area
- Make large areas smaller
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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.
- Take all your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- If the infection was in an arm or leg, keep it raised above the level of the heart. This will help reduce swelling.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may change or take out your packing a few days after the procedure.
- If you go home with a drain, the tube will be removed by your doctor after drainage has stopped and the infection is gone.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What drugs may be needed?
Your 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 problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Infection may not clear up
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Practice proper hygiene. Practice good hand washing.
- Do not share towels, razors, and other personal things with someone else.
- Be careful when you shave your face, underarms, or legs to avoid scratching or cutting your skin.
- If you cut yourself, keep the area clean and put antibiotic ointment on it.
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.
- A new rash
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?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Abscess/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
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. ‚