Abscess on the lip

definition

An abscess is an isolated cavity in which pus has accumulated. It is usually the result of or part of a bacterial inflammation. Abscesses can develop anywhere in the body, but are most commonly found under the skin. Abscesses can also occur in the mouth and on the lips. Characteristic of an abscess are the typical inflammatory characteristics redness, swelling, an increased temperature of the skin in the affected area and an increased sensitivity to pressure and pain.

In addition, the pus may be visible in the form of a white spot under the skin. In principle, you can think of an abscess like a large pimple: it matures over time and eventually empties outwards. Most abscesses are painful, but are harmless and go away on their own. However, a doctor should be consulted for larger abscesses that do not go away.

Symptoms of an abscess on the lip

An abscess is mainly noticeable through increased sensitivity to pressure and pain in the affected area. It often hurts even without external pressure. In addition, the affected area is swollen and red and has an increased temperature. Often the boil is visible on the outside and can be felt as a hard area or is even visible through the skin. Usually the body's precautions keep the abscess local, but it can spread through the lymphatic system. In this case, symptoms can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue and nausea. In this case, it is imperative to consult a doctor, as there is a risk of blood poisoning. The great danger of an abscess on the upper lip is the danger of spreading it into the skull. This can lead to a life-threatening brain abscess, which is why particular caution is required at this point.

Also read: Brain abscess

Abscesses act like giant pimples - which they actually are. At the beginning they are not yet clearly delineated, but then mature and form a clear edge and, as the inflammatory reaction progresses, a boil of pus, which is usually clearly palpable towards the end.

Causes of an abscess on the lip

If bacteria (abscesses are mostly Staphylococcus aureus) penetrate under the skin and into the body, the immune system fights them with an inflammatory reaction. This means that the affected area swells, turns reddish in color, has an increased temperature and is more sensitive to pressure. In addition, white blood cells collect in the focus of inflammation, which the bacteria eat and then die themselves. They are visible as pus along with other dead bacteria. This collects in the cavity that is created when body tissue is melted down during the inflammatory reaction. So that the pus cannot get into the surrounding tissue, the body seals the abscess with impermeable tissue. An abscess under the skin or in the mouth is often caused by a pore blocked by sebum, sweat, or dirt that prevents the pus from draining to the outside. Abscesses in the mouth are also caused by small cuts or tears in the lining of the mouth through which bacteria can enter.

Read more about this under Abscess - Causes, Symptoms and Therapy.

Duration of the abscess

Small abscesses usually heal on their own within a week. However, it can take a little longer, especially in areas such as the lip, which are often exposed to friction and foreign bodies such as food. However, if no improvement can be seen after a week, a doctor should be consulted so that the abscess can be surgically removed, if necessary, before it can spread to the surrounding tissue. Larger abscesses can take several weeks to heal completely, even after surgical treatment.

diagnosis

Usually an abscess can be diagnosed with the naked eye. The affected area is noticeable because of redness, swelling, increased temperature and increased sensitivity to pressure and pain. If a boil can be seen and / or felt, the doctor can pierce it to check the pus for the bacteria causing it. It is also possible to check the blood for inflammation values, these are blood components that are increasingly present when an inflammatory reaction takes place in the body. However, this is often not necessary at all.

Treatment for an abscess on the lip

Even if it is sometimes difficult, an abscess should be pushed as little as possible. With any pressure exerted, there is a risk that the pus, and with it the inflammation, will move from the abscess into the surrounding tissue. Particular caution is required with abscesses on the upper lip, since from here the pus can enter the brain comparatively quickly and cause a brain abscess. To treat an abscess, so-called pull ointment is available at the pharmacy. Its effect is based on the fact that it causes an intensification of the inflammatory reaction by irritating the skin. As a result, the immune system works stronger and the abscess matures faster. When it is ripe, i.e. the tissue cavity is completely filled with pus, it usually opens outward on its own and the pus drains away. Then the opening created should be well disinfected and all surfaces that have come into contact with pus should be thoroughly cleaned.

Read more about this under Treat abscess with an ointment.

Instead of the ointment, heat can also promote the inflammatory process, for example in the form of compresses with warm water. These can be supplemented as home remedies with chamomile extract for pain relief or with slightly antibiotic garlic.

Also read: Home remedies for an abscess

If the abscess continues to grow in size or persists for a long time, or if symptoms such as fever or fatigue occur, a doctor should be consulted. They can remove the abscess in a small operation. The affected area is numbed locally and a small incision is made with the scalpel, whereupon the pus usually drains away by itself. The tissue cavity is then rinsed out and disinfected. In severe cases, antibiotics are also prescribed to kill the bacteria that have already escaped the abscess.

Read more about this under Operation of an abscess.

What is an abscess on the lip frenulum?

The lip ligament is the name given to the membrane that connects the front of the jaw with the lips. An abscess can also form here, for example as a result of a small tear or scratch from sharp foods.An abscess on the lip frenulum can also be caused by a new piercing that has not healed properly or an inflammation in the vicinity, for example on a tooth. The constant stress of speaking and eating has a very slowing effect on the healing process, and the surrounding tissue, which is already sensitized by the inflammatory reaction, is constantly irritated. This can become very uncomfortable and painful. There is also a risk of spreading via the blood vessels into the interior of the skull and thus of a brain abscess, especially on the upper lip frenulum. Therefore, caution is advised - especially if the abscess persists for more than a week, it is imperative to see a doctor to monitor the abscess and cut it open if necessary.

The abscess should not be confused with the canker sore, which is an infection with herpes viruses in the mouth. A canker sore runs unpolluted and can be felt in the mouth with the tongue as an open area. It is painful, but usually completely harmless and heals on its own within a week.

Also read: Aphthae - painful blisters in the mouth