Treatment of an abscess

Therapeutic measures for an abscess

The most important treatment for the abscess is always to open the abscess and drain the pus. Antibiotic therapy is often not necessary as long as the pathogen has not spread to the surrounding tissue. However, if the pathogen spreads, there is a risk of blood poisoning (sepsis), which must be treated immediately with antibiotics. If the abscess is superficial, it can be opened through the skin under local anesthesia. Deeper abscesses or organ abscesses must be punctured with the help of imaging techniques. Thus, the pus from the abscess can be drained during treatment.

To prevent new pus formation, the abscess cavity is rinsed after opening and then provided with a drainage. This ensures that no new pus can form after the treatment that would have to be drained again. Abscesses of this type should be treated under general anesthesia if possible, since regional anesthetic procedures can lead to the spread of germs into the surrounding tissue.

For more information on abscess treatment, see the main abscess article.

Possible complications

If an abscess is not treated properly and adequately, the abscess membrane can collapse. The result is that the bacteria in it can spread into the body and thus into organs, free body cavities or, in the worst case, into the bloodstream. The spread of the pathogen can lead to serious organ diseases up to blood poisoning and thus be life-threatening. For this reason, an abscess should not be opened without medical attention.
Those affected often feel the feeling of opening up the abscess themselves, as this leads to significant relief and pain relief. In the event of improper opening and insufficient drug treatment, self-treatment can have serious consequences.

To avoid these complications, it is recommended to prevent abscesses in advance. Here's how you could do this next time: What is the best way to prevent an abscess?

Treatment with antibiotics

Since an abscess is a through bacterial pathogens triggered clinical picture, the gift of Antibiotics as first-line drug treatment.

The most common cause of the development of an abscess is a strong multiplication of the bacterium "Staphylococcus aureus“.
These are pathogens that are part of the natural skin environment are and also in the field of respiratory tract can be proven.

Usually these bacterial pathogens perform a specific task.
Overgrowth, which can lead to the development of pathological processes, is caused by the healthy organism at the level of the Immune system suppressed.

Based on this information, the most effective drug possible from the group of antibiotics can be selected and administered to treat an abscess.

Both the exact form of administration, as well as the dosage The antibiotic must be chosen depending on the severity of the abscess.
In many cases, light shapes can already be created by applying local antibiotic ointments be treated.

In addition, the affected patients should receive a lovely ointment use for treatment.

Especially drugs that have the ingredient "Ammonium bituminosulfate“Are particularly suitable for treating an abscess.
The Combination of antibiotic and ammonium botuminosulphate ointment reduces the spread of bacterial pathogens and at the same time induces local inflammatory reactions in the area of ​​the abscess.

By a strong dilation of the vessels more blood and in this way more defense cells can be directed to the abscess.
As a result, there is a rapid encapsulation of the abscess cavity.

The pus is emptied towards the surface of the skin.

Pronounced clinical pictures are usually surgically opened.
The administration of antibiotics alone usually does not treat severe abscesses successfully.
The reason for this is the fact that, due to the capsule surrounding the abscess, the antibiotics can only penetrate the causative pathogens in small quantities.

In order to be able to initiate a treatment of the abscess as precisely as possible, the secretion produced during the opening should be removed Germs to be examined.

In addition, the one-week administration of a drug from the group of antibiotics is particularly helpful in the treatment of pronounced abscesses.

As long as the exact pathogen has not been determined, the attending physician usually prescribes a so-called Broad spectrum antibiotic, its effect against a variety of bacteria is directed.

In everyday clinical practice, above all Dicloxacillin and antibiotics from the group of Cephalosporins for use.

Could the causative agent be through a smear are identified, the abscess should be treated by administering pathogen-specific antibiotics.

Surgery for an abscess

Abscesses are surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. This creates a barrier to the surrounding tissue and the blood. Since the blood also has no access to the abscess, no immune cells such as mast cells, lymphocytes or macrophages are flushed into the inflamed area. You cannot cope with fighting the bacteria. In addition, no medication gets to the abscess. Treatment with antibiotics is therefore often unsuccessful. Treatment by the doctor is unavoidable here and there is an indication for a minor surgical intervention. The type of therapy depends on the size and extent of the abscess and its location. In addition, the pathogen can be determined in order to subsequently prescribe antibiotic therapy, which would curb any possible spread of germs.

A sterile and clean work surface is created during the operation. The skin around the abscess is disinfected and numbed with a local anesthetic so that the patient hardly feels anything from the procedure. The doctor opens the abscess with a scalpel. The pus is drained through a drain until the capsule is completely empty. If there is also a fistula, this should also be removed by cleaving and cleaned. He then removes the inflamed tissue and rinses the wound thoroughly. The wound is not sewn up but initially remains open. This means that any bacteria that may have remained cannot reproduce and form a capsule.

Depending on the severity, a drain can also be inserted into the wound, which regularly drains the wound fluid. The follow-up treatment should be carried out carefully in order to avoid a new abscess. The wound should be cleaned regularly and disinfected with appropriate medication. The bandage should also be changed daily, especially if fluid still drains from the wound in the first few days after the operation. If the patient needs help with this, he can have the dressing changed in a local practice or by the family doctor. A dressing change is also advisable after a bowel movement, because depending on the location of the abscess there is a risk of intestinal bacteria being carried into the open wound. Depending on the location and extent of the accumulation of pus, the surgical procedure can also be performed under general anesthesia. This also depends on the age of the patient and whether the patient, for example, wants an anesthetic out of fear. The type of anesthesia to be used for the procedure can be discussed with the attending physician.

Also read: Surgery of an abscess

Treatment of the abscess without surgery

An operation (surgery) is considered to be the only effective method of treating a pronounced abscess.
Only after the abscess cavity has been emptied can the causative pathogens be combated and the problem eliminated.

In addition, the discomfort caused by the abscess can only be relieved by surgical opening of the pus collection.

Abscess treatment without surgery can only be effective in the case of mild forms of the disease.

If a patient decides to let the abscess heal without surgery, he should attach particular importance to hygienic conditions in the area of ​​the affected body part.
Before applying ointments or solutions to the abscess, the surface of the skin should be treated with antiseptic disinfectant.

In addition, hands must be washed carefully after direct contact with the abscess.
This is the only way to prevent the causative pathogens from being transmitted.

The maturation of the abscess can be assisted by the application of heated, moist compresses.

In addition, herbal active ingredients such as chamomile, arnica or hay flower should enable the treatment of an abscess without surgery.
In this context, however, it must be noted that the skin surface should only be rubbed sparingly with the selected substance.
Otherwise severe skin reactions and hypersensitivity reactions can occur.

In addition, some of the affected patients report that daily irradiation of the abscess with red light should enable treatment without surgery.

If, despite these measures, there is no self-healing within a period of one week, the treatment of the abscess without surgery is considered to have failed.

The affected patients should urgently consult a doctor by this point at the latest and consider surgical opening of the abscess cavity.

The appearance of general symptoms of illness should also be perceived as a warning signal.
For example, patients who develop a fever during abscess treatment without surgery should consult a doctor as soon as possible. In addition, it should be noted that the spontaneous opening of an abscess without surgery can lead to the formation of visible scars.

Treatment of an abscess on the tooth

When treating an abscess on a tooth, it is first of all important to alleviate the usually existing tooth infection, whereby one is bacterial antibiotic makes sense. This is also important so that the inflammation does not spread to other areas in the mouth. Usually, however, antibiotic treatment is not enough to make the abscess heal. Usually he has to Abscess opened surgically and so the pus will be drained. The dentist creates access to the abscess under local anesthesia about the Oral mucosa and about the Jawbone. Means drainage the access to the abscess is kept open. The So pus continues to drain. If the abscess is very large, the dentist may also have to gain access through the skin of the face in the area of ​​the cheek, lower jaw or temple. In this case it will be under a general anesthetic carried out. Once the abscess has been removed, the tooth on which the abscess formed must be treated. If the root is already affected, a Root canal treatment necessary, in the worst case the tooth has to be extracted. By Proper dental and oral care can prevent abscesses in most cases.

Pull ointment for an abscess

If an abscess is still in its early stages, it can be treated locally with a pulling ointment. The ingredient "Ammonium bituminous sulfonate“Which one too Ichthyol initially causes increased inflammation, which causes the vessels to expand. This way, immune cells to fight the bacteria can better accumulate in the tissue. The draft ointment is available with different concentrations of ichthyol, it is usually called ichthyol. Depending on the sensitivity of the affected skin, a decision is made which ointment to use. If the skin of the face is inflamed (such as painful pimples), 10% ichtholan ointment is used. 20% is used for abscesses that are deeper, as well as nail bed inflammation and sweat gland abscesses. 50% ichtholan ointment is used to ripen boils. If there is a local deterioration or if there is no improvement within 2-3 weeks, a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted. If a fever occurs, this must be done immediately.

Homeopathy for an abscess

There are various homeopathic remedies that are used for abscesses. However, it is important to note that these remedies should only be used on superficial abscesses. Treatment with Belladonna, Hepar sulphuris calcareum, and Pyrogenium is intended to prevent the development of an abscess by preventing pus pockets from forming in the inflamed body cavity. The medicinal plant Myristica sebifera should also be mentioned, which can be applied to the affected area in the form of an ointment. It is also called the "homeopathic knife“As it can open abscesses. The effect of Myristica sebifera is antiseptic and also available as globules. Typical application potential of these is D2 to D6. There is also Calcium sulfuricum, a mineral salt. Frequently used potencies of this remedy are D4 to D12. The snake venom Crotalus is also said to help against abscesses. Hepar sulfuris calcareum, made from sulfur flowers and oyster shell lime, is used in potencies D6 to D12. Jodum is another remedy, but requires a prescription up to D3 potency. Also to be mentioned are: Kalium bromatum, Potassium phosphoricum and Ichtyloum.

Home remedies to treat the abscess

Treating an abscess with the help of home remedies does not always lead to the desired goal.

If the abscess does not open spontaneously within a week despite using various home remedies, a doctor must be consulted urgently and surgical opening of the abscess cavity should be considered.

In general, when treating abscesses with home remedies, the person affected should never push around with the abscess.

Otherwise, with an immature abscess, there is a risk of inward opening.
As a result, there is a possibility that the bacteria that are responsible for the development of the abscess can get into the bloodstream and cause severe infections or so-called blood poisoning (sepsis) cause.

Ideally, the abscess should not be touched directly with your hands, even during home remedy treatment.
After direct contact, hands should be washed thoroughly and then disinfected.

Choosing the most suitable home remedy to treat an abscess depends on the stage of pus collection.
Immature, still closed abscesses require different treatment than those that have already opened spontaneously.

To strengthen the immune system and thus to accelerate the healing of abscesses, it is advisable to drink a cup of nettle tea three times a day over a period of several weeks.

In addition, people susceptible to infection or abscesses should eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.
In this way, too, the immune system can be effectively strengthened and the risk of developing an abscess can be reduced.

In addition, applying a compress soaked in hot milk is considered an effective home remedy in the treatment of abscesses.

Warmed onion slices are one of the home remedies that most people will be familiar with from the treatment of earache.
However, since the vapors emitted by the onion can have an antibacterial effect, they are also suitable as home remedies for treating an abscess.

Many of the affected patients also swear by the healing properties of fenugreek seeds.
These should be mixed with about a tablespoon of water to form a viscous paste and applied to a sterile compress. This compress can then be placed on the surface of the skin for a period of about half an hour.

Furthermore, warmed cabbage juice that is applied to the affected area is said to be an effective home remedy for treating an abscess.

In addition, daisy leaves and flowers that are poured into a tea and then spread over the abscess can accelerate the maturation of the pus accumulation and thus have a positive effect on the healing process.

Other home remedies that are suitable for treating an abscess:

• Propolis tincture, which is applied to the surface of the skin several times a day
• Flax seeds, which are mixed with hot water to a pulp
• Tincture of arnica and echinacea
• Oat groats
• Chamomile (is particularly suitable for provoking the spontaneous opening of the abscess)
• Warm milk

You can find out more about this theme on the page: Home remedies for an abscess

The duration of treatment

The duration of treatment can range from a few days to several weeks in the presence of an abscess.

The actual duration of treatment depends on the stage of the abscess in question.

In general, it can be assumed that the duration of treatment for an abscess that has already opened is much shorter.
For this reason, it is advisable to think about a prompt surgical opening in the case of large abscesses.

An abscess that is only treated with home remedies and / or special ointments usually requires a particularly long treatment period.