In order to understand what an abscess is and how to prevent them, it is first important to know what they are.
Abscesses, also called thrombosed abscesses or infected lesions, occur when the immune system attacks a piece of tissue or bacteria in your body and kills it. When bacteria invade the body, the immune response sends white blood cells (called monocytes) to battle the invasion. This causes inflammation (swelling) in the infected area and the death of the surrounding tissue.
An abscess is formed when the dead cells, bacteria, and white blood cells fill up small pockets. When this happens, they form a clump and harden into a solid mass. Sometimes, bacteria can survive inside the infected area, so they are often present in the wall of the abscess. When the bacteria and white blood cells die, new tissue forms, sometimes referred to as scar tissue.
Because of the location and size of an abscess, it is possible for it to cause serious infection and damage to surrounding tissue.
For example, a pinched nerve (medically referred to as sciatica) may be a symptom of a herniated disc. This can cause severe pain and the inability to walk, use the bathroom or move the arm.
Abscesses are a common problem, especially in people who exercise or have high levels of stress. They can also affect people who are suffering from high fever, diabetes and kidney disease. They can even be a sign of an underlying medical condition. For example, if you have a fever, it is possible that you have a hernia.
There are many treatment options available for abscesses. If left untreated, they can become very large and may even cause serious complications.
Treatments such as antibiotics can help stop the growth of bacteria and white blood cells, but they do nothing to treat the bacteria and other bacteria that are already present. Antibiotics will kill off all the bacteria and white cells. As a result, more bacteria will build up and begin to multiply, creating an abscess, which is then filled with bacteria and white blood cells.
Treating abscesses need to be monitored carefully because they tend to return often. Sometimes a patient does not notice an abscess until a couple of weeks after treatment has begun. If a patient notices an abscess, they should seek treatment right away, as it may need to be removed. Treatment can include removing the abscess through surgery, freezing it or by applying pressure to the affected area with bandages.
Another option is to drain it through a needle or by flushing it with chemicals. Other treatments include using an antibiotic cream to help fight the bacteria, or removing any tissue that is growing inside the abscess.
Prevention is always better than cure. When you suspect that you have an abscess, it is important that you take some steps to avoid having them again.
Keep your hands off of the affected area while you are doing anything strenuous. Wear loose fitting clothing and always wash your hands before and after using the bathroom and eating.
If you work out regularly, make sure that you get your body to rest at least once a day, particularly in your legs. Your feet are often exposed to the outside world during intense workout, and they can become infected easily. Also, keep your foot wet when changing socks.
This helps to avoid moisture seeping into the infected area and growing bacteria.
If you have had a surgery, make sure that you keep your wound clean and dry on a regular basis. The wound needs to stay moist so that it does not become infected. To prevent infection, you may want to cover the wound with a bandage until it heals.
The most important thing you can do is to drink plenty of fluids. This will help flush out the bacteria that may have been living inside the abscess. You can also try drinking apple cider vinegar, which can be used as a gargling agent in order to help reduce inflammation.
Keep in mind that abscesses can also be contagious. If you or a family member has had an abscess, make sure that everyone in the family cleans their skin immediately.