Sometimes we are faced with very unpleasant and even dangerous processes in our body, which are of a purulent nature. One of these processes is an abscess. It can occur due to a violation of the rules of antiseptics during medical procedures, contact with the skin of chemicals, the introduction of pathogens through skin lesions, etc. Symptoms of an abscess are redness and suppuration in the affected area. If you encounter such a problem, contact a specialist immediately, because the abscess requires serious, sometimes surgical treatment.
How to identify the symptoms of an abscess?
Abscess – it is primarily suppuration, it occurs when viruses and bacteria (pathogens) enter the wound. The reason for this may be any damage to the skin or mucous membrane, according to estet-portal.com. The focus of the bacterial lesion is, as it were, localized with a protective film so that the infection does not spread throughout the body. In this hearth, an abscess begins.
Its presence can be determined by the reddening of the site of localization: it becomes inflamed, hard, painful. The capsule, filled with pus, increases every day. This process may be accompanied by a rise in high temperature. There is a general weakness, malaise, headache, loss of appetite. Sometimes tissue rupture and the release of festering accumulations resolves on its own, and sometimes surgical intervention is necessary.
It happens that an abscess is formed not only under the skin, but also in the internal organs. The locations of this inflammatory formation can be completely different. This type of abscess is very difficult to diagnose, as it is hidden from external observation. The cause may be staphylococcal, streptococcal infections, which are activated with a decrease in immunity.
Inflammatory symptoms and complications after abscess
Since this unpleasant phenomenon can be localized throughout the body, these types of abscess are distinguished:
- appendicular (after appendectomy);
- retropharyngeal,
- soft tissues,
- lung,
- brain;
- Bezold's abscess (forms under the neck muscles);
- peritonsillar (as a complication after tonsillitis);
- bacterial (liver abscess);
- subdiaphragmatic (after surgical intervention);
- epidural (abscess of the spinal cord), etc.
Complications of an abscess can be: blood poisoning, an increase in the area of localization of the abscess, erosive bleeding, the transition of the infection to the chronic stage, a breakthrough of the abscess into the body. & nbsp;
According to the duration of the course of the disease, acute and chronic types of abscess are distinguished.
Treatment and prevention of abscess
Superficial manifestations of suppuration are not at all difficult to diagnose. However, in order to see what is happening in the internal organs, additional studies will be required: a blood test, an ultrasound or x-ray, an MRI, or a computed tomography may be used.
For the treatment of a superficial abscess, surgical intervention is used with excision of festering tissues and subsequent drainage of this area. Internal suppurations are treated by puncture and aspiration in places where pus accumulates. If the situation is too serious, a blood transfusion is possible. After the pathogen is established, antibiotic therapy is prescribed according to the tests.
Read also: Abscess and its causes: why asepsis is so important
In cases of untimely access to a specialist and with advanced forms, the abscess enters the chronic stage. If the place of suppuration is processed incorrectly, then a fistula may appear.
After opening the abscess, the patient definitely needs vitamin nutrition to restore the body, complete rest, and the use of bactericidal agents.
To prevent this disease from affecting you, follow the rules of antisepsis when treating wounds, abrasions, bruises and various kinds of injuries.
Prevention of diseases is the best treatment for them.
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