Definition
An abscess on the neck (neck abscess) is an encapsulated accumulation of pus in the area of the neck. In most cases, it is located in lateral regions of the neck, sometimes in the neck area, rarely in the front area.
Is a neck abscess dangerous?
A neck abscess is an encapsulated accumulation of pus. As long as the pus is enclosed in this capsule, it does not represent an acute danger. Only the pressure that the abscess exerts on surrounding structures, such as the cervical vessels and nerves, can become threatening under certain circumstances.
However, if the abscess bursts open and the pus with the associated pathogens freely enters the neck area, severe local inflammation can develop. In the worst case, the pathogens can enter the bloodstream and cause “blood poisoning” (sepsis). Therefore, a neck abscess should always be clarified and, if necessary, surgically removed.
Is a neck abscess contagious?
The neck abscess itself is not contagious. But the pathogens that caused it can be contagious. Often it is the Staphylococcus aureus.
It is transmitted via droplet infection. Therefore, affected persons should protect their fellow human beings by conscientiously implementing appropriate safety measures. These include, for example, adequate hand hygiene, avoiding shaking hands, keeping as far away from other people as possible and not sharing glasses, cutlery or towels with anyone else.
Causes and forms of cervical abscess
In most cases a neck abscess is caused by an infection of In the statistically most frequent cases of a neck abscess it is bacteria and here usually bacteria of the strain Staph aureus, which lead to an abscess formation. The germ naturally colonizes large parts of the skin. It is not known how an infection with this germ can occur.
As a rule, the bacterium is flushed into the bloodstream. Once it has entered the body, it can cause an infection at any conceivable location, but it can also settle down and become increasingly isolated. In this case, the first signs of abscess formation have already been set.
Soft tissue infections in the neck area can also lead to a neck abscess. Sometimes enlarged and infected lymph nodes can also promote the progress of an abscess formation.
- Viruses,
- Bacteria or fungi.
In the context of a neck abscess, the lymph nodes in the neck may be enlarged.
It is also possible that enlarged lymph nodes in the neck promote the development of an abscess. As a rule, the lymph nodes along the head turner muscle are swollen. The lymph nodes can be painful when touched.
A complication of purulent tonsillitis is the development of a cervical abscess. This is an abscess called peritonsillar abscess. This cervical abscess is located in the area of the palatal arches and the pharyngeal wall.
Signs are often strong pain when swallowing, which radiates into the ear. It can also cause bad breath, high fever, dull speech and discomfort when opening the mouth. As a result, food intake is difficult and painful.
More rarely an abscess develops in the throat area. This is called a parapharyngeal abscess. Here there is a danger of being carried away into the chest area.
Both abscesses must be treated as early as possible to avoid further complications such as bleeding and blood poisoning. An ulcerated wisdom tooth can cause a peritonsillar abscess. However, this occurs much less frequently than in the course of a purulent tonsillitis. Instead, a diseased tooth in the lower jaw can cause abscesses in the floor of the mouth (tongue base abscesses).
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