Diagnosis axilla abscess

Often the detection of an axillary abscess is a gaze diagnosis. However, it is important to differentiate between an abscess and an enlarged lymph node. In the latter case, a corresponding extensive diagnostic procedure must be initiated, because serious diseases can also hide behind such enlarged lymph nodes.

Often the successful differentiation is achieved by means of ultrasound. In some rare borderline cases, a CT scan may also be necessary. One could also perform a puncture test to see whether purulent material is draining after the lump has been punctured.

The danger, however, is that malignant tissue can be quickly carried away by this, should it be an enlarged lymph node. In most cases of an abscess of the axilla it is sufficient to apply a tar-containing ointment to the area of the affected skin. If this procedure is repeated, in many cases it will be observed that the swelling is reduced and pus and inflammatory fluid is increasingly reduced.

If this is not the case, an attempt should be made to puncture the abscess with a sterile needle to empty the pus. Even after a successful puncture, there is a risk that an abscess will re-form and soon grow in size again. In this case, surgical removal should be considered, in which the abscess is cut out of the axilla.

It must be noted, however, that anatomically important structures such as the armpit are located in this area. The cause of the abscess should also be considered, at the latest when it reoccurs. General measures, such as more frequent personal hygiene, especially in the armpit area, can reduce but not necessarily prevent the recurrence of an abscess.

In addition to the surgical removal of an abscess, the area under the arm should be cared for and bandages should be changed frequently. The days and weeks after surgical removal are often described as painful and unpleasant. In general, the arm should be spared in the time after the operation and physically heavy strain should be avoided.

Cooling is also generally described as pleasant and should be carried out for a correspondingly long time. The surgical procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia by the general surgeon. – Blood vessels and

Nerve tracts that must not be damaged.

A pulling ointment ,also known as pulling ointment, is a special ointment which can be used for abscesses and other chronic inflammatory skin diseases and has a high content of sulfonated shale oil. This shale oil has the property to have an antibacterial effect and at the same time it also has the ability to stop inflammation and itching. In addition, it soothes the skin and improves the blood circulation, which facilitates or accelerates the “breakthrough” of the pus through the skin surface, so that the abscess cavity is connected to the outside and can be emptied outwardly without surgical intervention.

Either the traction ointment is applied as an ointment itself to the skin area over the abscess in the axilla or special plasters are used which are provided with traction ointment. “Ubi pus, ibi evacua. (“Where there is pus, there empty it.”)

was what doctors in ancient Rome used to say. This quote is still relevant today. Since neither antibiotics nor ointments usually show a satisfactory effect on abscesses of the axilla and also in general, an operation is often unavoidable.

The aim of surgery is to drain the pus (pus) through an appropriately sized incision and to prevent a renewed infection of the abscess cavity. Surgery is the safest way to quickly treat abscesses on the axilla and to relieve pain. The operation is often performed under general anaesthesia, but under certain circumstances surgery under regional anaesthesia is also possible.

The choice of the anaesthetic procedure is partly dependent on the size and location of the abscess and how painful it is. The operation itself initially consists of opening the abscess with a scalpel. The pus contained in the abscess can now drain off, possibly via a drainage.

The use of a drainage has the advantage that no inflammation can be caused by the infectious pus in the adjacent areas. Once the pus has drained off, the wound is rinsed and dead or highly inflamed tissue parts and the abscess capsule are removed. The wound is then not sutured, but treated openly.

This prevents the abscess from re-encapsulating and allows regular cleaning of the wound cavity. Depending on the size of the abscess, the insertion of tamponades and antibiotic-containing platelets or sponges into the wound cavity can be helpful. It is important to clean the wound regularly (ideally daily) over the next few days to weeks and to change the dressings.

If the abscess can be completely removed during the operation and care is subsequently taken to ensure good care of the wound, the prognosis is very favourable. In this case, they usually heal without complications. However, depending on the size of the abscess, this may take several weeks.