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Small skin abscesses often start at a hair follicle and blood and pus begin to collect under the skin, forming a semi-hard and rounded area that can feel sore and warm or hot to the touch.

Rarely does a skin abscess cause the body temperature to rise, but in a severe abscess (example: a tooth abscess) the infection can cause a fever. A severe abscess anywhere in or on the body requires medical intervention.

Depending on the location, most small skin abscesses (a collection of pus under the skin) will come to a head, open, and begin to drain if the person applies hot (but not scalding hot) compresses several times a day to the area. Use a folded washcloth on the area, checking first to be sure the heat is not too hot. Turn the cloth when the side next to the skin begins to cool. Leave on total of about 20-minutes. Then, pat the area dry and don't bother or mess with it. You can re-apply the compress several times a day.

Once the abscess opens and begins to drain, apply light pressure around the outside edges, lighting pushing toward the open area. Do not "squeeze" because squeezing can damage the tissue and leave a bruise, especially if on the face. Gently wipe the pus away with a clean piece of toilet tissue or kleenex tissue. Apply A&D ointment and a band-aid to protect the area.

If the abscess is larger than a band-aid, see your physician. Never try to open a large abscess on your own at home. Abscesses can overwhelm the body's defenses and release bacteria into the bloodstream. The infection can also be deeper than what is seen on the outside, or can create tunnels under the tissie that can either have intact or broken skin over the areas. These kinds of abscesses need to be opened by a doctor and drained using sterile instruments. The large abscesses may even require surgery to remove all of the infected tissue and pus.

Note: A small abscess can dramatically increase in size and severity over just a few days. Seek medical advice if this occurs.

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