Skin Abscess

Description

• A skin abscess is a pocket of pus that forms beneath the skin due to infection, usually from bacteria entering through a hair follicle, cut, or break in the skin. It often appears as a red, swollen, painful lump that may feel warm to the touch. As it progresses, the center may soften and fill with pus, sometimes draining on its own.

When to come in? 

You should see a dermatology provider if:

• The abscess is large, painful, or rapidly enlarging

• There is spreading redness, warmth, or swelling around it

• You develop fever, chills, or feel unwell

• The abscess does not drain or improve on its own

• You have recurrent abscesses or underlying health conditions (like diabetes or immune suppression)

Seek urgent care if the infection is spreading quickly or if you feel systemically ill.

How is it treated? 

• Incision and Drainage (I&D): The main treatment is to open the abscess in a sterile manner and allow the pus to drain, which relieves pain and helps healing.

• Oral antibiotics: May be prescribed if there is surrounding cellulitis (spreading infection), systemic symptoms, or multiple abscesses.

• Wound care: Proper cleaning, bandaging, and sometimes packing the wound to help it heal from the inside out.

• Addressing recurrences: Identifying underlying causes (e.g., staph colonization, hidradenitis suppurativa) and preventive measures.

At Integrity Skin & DermCare, we treat abscesses with gentle but effective drainage and, when needed, antibiotics—always with close attention to wound healing and minimizing scarring.