Forecast
If an abscess is detected and treated in time, the prognosis is good. With professional therapy, healing is usually rapid and without complications. However, abscesses, especially those in the genital area, tend to recur.
If this is the case, further examinations by the family doctor should be initiated and preventive measures taken. If an abscess in the genital area is treated adequately at an early stage, it usually heals without consequences. If, on the other hand, no treatment is carried out, the spontaneous course can last for weeks, as the pathogen is protected by a capsule and thus escapes the body’s defence system.
In the worst case, the pathogen can spread via the bloodstream and thus lead to blood poisoning (sepsis). With antibiotics, which should always be used in the case of an abscess, a significant improvement is usually achieved after 3 to 5 days at the latest. If there is no improvement or if the findings are pronounced, a surgical procedure is also advisable. By puncturing or cutting open the abscess, immediate relief is achieved. The abscess should heal completely within a few weeks with the supportive administration of antibiotics.
Prophylaxis
If abscesses in the genital area occur frequently, this can be a sign of a weakened immune system or diabetes. The family doctor can carry out specific examinations and advise those affected accordingly. In general, it is important to eat a healthy diet in order to strengthen the body’s defences. Consistent adherence to hygiene measures, especially regular intimate hygiene, can prevent the development of abscesses just as much as avoiding wearing too tight-fitting and abrasive underwear.
Is a genital abscess contagious?
An abscess in the genital area is often caused by staphylococci, which also colonize the skin surface of healthy people without causing any symptoms. Also conceivable as a trigger for an abscess in the genital area are intestinal bacteria such as E. coli, which can be found in the intestines of healthy people. Although both species can be transmitted to the partner, e.g. during sexual intercourse, they usually do not cause any damage there, but peacefully colonise the skin. Only when they overcome the surface of the skin through small skin injuries can they cause infections and abscesses of the skin.
