What is an abscess or abscess, almost every person knows, at least once in his life watching a suppuration on his body. A local infection that destroys tissues in the focus of inflammation usually develops after a violation of the integrity of the skin.
What is an abscess?
In the vicinity of the abscess, nearby tissues create a membrane that separates the abscess from the healthy area. Its symptoms are as follows: the occurrence of a purulent process and the subsequent death of healthy tissues. This is a normal body reaction. An examination of this process at the cellular level will give a clear understanding of what an abscess is. It can be of several types depending on the location: soft tissues, pulmonary, paratonsillar, post-injection and others. All of them are painful and capable of delivering a lot of inconvenience to the patient. In order to understand what an abscess is, you need to well imagine how a focal bacterial infection occurs. The latter is often staphylococcal. This microorganism weakens general and local immunity. It can enter the body through damage to the skin, due to the extensive and neglected hematoma.
Also, infection can occur due to the fact that boils and fistulas were not effectively treated. As a result of improperly performed medical procedures, such as injections and punctures, a post-injection abscess may occur. To prevent it, you must strictly follow the rules of asepsis.
Abscess. Photos and symptoms
This process can occur both on the skin and in the thickness of the connective tissue, as well as in any organ. It is difficult to diagnose abscesses in the insides. For this, an ultrasound scan is performed. Abscesses noticeable on the surface of the body are located in the thickness of the skin, muscles or subcutaneous connective tissue. The first signs of suppuration are the appearance of a hard-to-touch knot and soreness around it. The skin becomes reddish and swollen. This is a sign that a process of forming pus-filled capsule is underway. The general condition also worsens - fever, weakness, and malaise are possible.
However, if the body is strong and healthy, then the appearance of suppuration can pass unnoticed. Finally formed, the purulent capsule breaks onto the surface of the skin or into one of the body cavities (if the abscess is in the internal organs). In the first case, after this, the abscess heals. In the second, infection of the cavity with pus and the development of pathological processes can occur.
Diagnosis and treatment
Recovery will occur more quickly and painlessly if an abscess is detected in the early stages. Wherever it is located, it is necessary to open it, clean the capsule from the contents and treat the resulting wound with antibiotics. In order to carry out these procedures, short-term hospitalization is required. With advanced abscesses of the internal organs, an organ removal operation may be required. In order to recover as soon as possible, the patient must fully eat, observe bed rest. Antibiotics are prescribed after a test for sensitivity to them.