Abscesses Health Video

Abscesses are puss filled cavities that result from a variety of infections or injuries. Learn more about abscesses, including symptoms and treatments, in this video.

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Wash your hands regularly
Use good infection control strategies
Avoid exposure to others with abscess infections
Treat cuts & scrapes properly to prevent infection

About this Author

Dr. Ulrich joined On Call Medical Group in 2006. She had previously practiced at Doctors Medical Center in Richmond, Calif., and prior to that worked with the uninsured and homeless population of San Francisco at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic. Throughout her medical career, Dr. Ulrich as also been involved in numerous medical research studies. Dr. Ulrich holds a B.S. from Harvard University, an M.P.H. for the University of California at Berkeley, and an M.D. from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

SKYLAR ULRICH, MD: The disease I'm going to talk about today is skin abscess. A skin abscess is a localized collection of pus in the dermis and surrounding tissues. It generally starts as a small red pustule which then becomes more and more inflamed causing swelling, redness, and tenderness at the site. The treatment of abscess is excision and drainage in the doctor's office using semi-sterile technique. The lesion is incised using a scalpel, the pus is drained, and packing is placed inside the lesion. Generally, a gauze dressing is placed on top and the patient follows up to monitor their improvement over the next two to three days with their physician. Prevention of abscesses: Prevention is about handwashing, prevention of infection, and good infection control strategies, so things you can do day to day would be handwashing, making sure if you're in contact with the person who has an abscess that you are able to prevent exposure to the infection. If you have a nick or scrape or cut on your body somewhere, that you wash it appropriately with soap and water, use a topical antibiotic cream, and keep an eye on it; make sure it's not developing redness or swelling at the area. How you can take action? Again, prevention is key, making sure that you maintain good hygiene, and wash your hands.

Abscesses Health Video

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