Skin Abscess

Skin abscesses are more commonly known as boils. These are usually infections of the skin caused due to various reasons. There are, in all, four kinds of skin abscesses, namely pilonidal cyst, acne, furuncle and hidradenitis suppurativa.

• Pilonidal cysts are more benign and are usually found only on the skin of the buttocks. These are caused due to long periods of sitting. When the body remains inactive for such long periods of time, the hair follicles get infected and cause the skin to break out in boils and abscesses.

• Acne is often present in the form of cysts and is caused when the pores of the skin get clogged by the body’s naturally produced sebum along with dirt. It’s easy for these clogged pores to get infected. The bacteria which feed on this oil can infect the pores of the skin so that the skin becomes inflamed.

• The furuncle is also popularly known as a carbuncle. This kind of an abscess is caused by the bacteria staphylococci, which is present on the surface of the skin and is usually dormant, but attacks the skin when there is a fall in the immunity of the host.

• Hidrandenitis suppurativa occurs when the sweat glands of the skin become inflamed due to the clogging of pores. The sweat is not able to get released due to the clogging of the pores.

Skin abscesses can be experienced by anyone. However, those whose immunity is low are at a higher risk of developing abscesses on their skin. People who have immunodeficiency disorders and those, whose immunity is compromised due to diseases like cancer, are more likely to develop abscesses on their skin than their healthier counterparts.

Treatment for Skin Abscess

Most skin abscesses are treatable at home. Only a few need surgical treatment. Here are some home remedies that you can use to treat these abscesses.

• Applying heat on these boils will prove very beneficial in providing you with effective relief from the itchy and burning sensation. To apply heat, take a clean face cloth and heat it. Now place this face cloth on the abscess. Heat the affected skin for twenty minutes everyday. Keep rotating this cloth so that heat is given equally to the entire inflamed area.

• If the abscess has already formed a head, lance it with the help of a sterilized needle. Allow the pus to drain. You may even have to pinch and squeeze the abscess to completely drain out the boil. An anti biotic treatment can also help keep infection at bay. Once you have lanced the abscess, keep it covered.