An abscess is a localized collection of pus in any part of the body that is surrounded by swelling (inflammation).
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAbscesses occur when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body's immune system tries to fight it. White blood cells move through the walls of the blood vessels into the area of the infection and collect within the damaged tissue. During this process, pus forms. Pus is the build up of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other foreign substances.
Abscesses can form in almost every part of the body and may be caused by infectious organisms, parasites, and foreign substances. Abscesses in the skin can be easily seen, and are red, raised, and painful. Abscesses in other areas of the body may not be obvious, but if they may cause significant organ damage.
Specific type of abscesses:
Often, a sample of fluid will be taken from the abscess and tested to see what organism is causing the problem.
TreatmentTreatment varies, but often requires antibiotics.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you think that you may have any type of abscess.
PreventionPrevention of abscesses depends on where they may develop. For example, good hygiene can help prevent skin abscesses. Dental hygiene and routine care will prevent dental abscesses.
ReferencesMeislin HW, Guio JA. Soft tissue infections. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 135.
Guss DA. Liver and biliary tract. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 89.
Lavoie FW, Saucier JR. Central nervous system infections. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 107.
Singer JI, Gebhart ME. Sore throat. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 31.
An abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body that, in most cases, causes swelling and inflammation around it.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAbscesses occur when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body's immune system tries to fight it. White blood cells move through the walls of the blood vessels into the area of the infection and collect within the damaged tissue. During this process, pus forms. Pus is the buildup of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other foreign substances.
Abscesses can form in almost any part of the body. The skin, under the skin, and the teeth are the most common sites. Abscesses may be caused by bacteria, parasites, and foreign substances.
Abscesses in the skin are easy to see. They are red, raised, and painful. Abscesses in other areas of the body may not be obvious, but they may cause significant organ damage.
Some specific type of abscesses are:
Often, a sample of fluid will be taken from the abscess and tested to see what organism is causing the problem.
TreatmentTreatment varies, but often surgery, antibiotics, or both are needed.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you think that you may have any type of abscess.
PreventionPrevention of abscesses depends on where they develop. For example, good hygiene can help prevent skin abscesses. Dental hygiene and routine care will prevent tooth abscesses.
ReferencesBolognia J. Infections, hyper- and hypopigmentation, regional dermatology, and distinctive lesions in black skin. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 467.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/14/2010
David C. Dugdale III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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A dental abscess, or tooth abscess, is an accumulation of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums. The abscess typically originates from a bacterial infection, often one that has accumulated in the soft pulp of the tooth. There are 3 types of dental abscess:Gingival abscess - the abscess is only in the gum tissue and does not affect the tooth or the periodontal ligament.Periodontal abscess - this abscess starts in the supporting bone tissue structures of the teeth.Periapical abscess - this abscess commences in the soft pulp of the tooth.Visit: Evista dosages online
It depends. It depends on the location of the abscess, the size of the abscess, and the nature of the abscess. Frequently, a dentist will put a patient on a regimen of antibiotics and pain pills for a few days to bring the abscess down so the local anesthetic will be effective.
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