Introduction
Abscesses can cause various symptoms. Depending on their characteristics and the parts of the body, they are easier or harder to recognize and to differentiate from other diseases. Since abscesses are triggered by bacteria, pus and signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling, warming and pain are characteristic.
In some cases, however, not all symptoms occur. Only a doctor can assess the severity of an abscess and the appropriate treatment. Every abscess should be examined by a family doctor. If fever occurs, a doctor should be consulted immediately, as there is a risk of blood poisoning. If, in addition, a red stripe is observed on the skin up to the heart, an emergency doctor must be called immediately.
Pus in abscesses
An abscess is a collection of pus. The pus contains bacteria, dead cells and defense cells of the body’s immune system. This accumulation of pus requires space.
This creates an abscess cavity, which is usually surrounded by a capsule. As long as the capsule is present, the surrounding healthy tissue is excluded and spared. The pus can be located directly under the skin, under mucous membranes or on organs.
From a certain point on, the pus must come out in order to relieve the abscess. The physician can take a smear from the pus and thereby identify the pathogen. Usually staphylococci, a type of bacteria, are found in the pus accumulation. Often the pus contains Staphylococcus aureus. If pus and thus bacteria get into the blood, there is a risk of blood poisoning.
Most common symptoms of an abscess
An abscess can occur with or without pain. In the course of the inflammatory process, certain endogenous messenger substances are released. These enable the cells to communicate with each other and they can activate certain pain receptors.
After various cell-mediated processes, the brain is notified of the sensory perception of pain. How strong this is is very individual. Pain usually correlates with the size and severity of the abscess.
An abscess that is not treated carries the risk of blood poisoning. This is life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment. Fever is a sign that the bacteria have entered the bloodstream.
A red stripe on the skin towards the heart indicates advanced sepsis. Drowsiness, shock and circulatory failure may occur. Fever in the context of an abscess is always a sign that the bacteria have entered the bloodstream.
A doctor should always be consulted if there is a fever. This fever can be of varying intensity and severity or less severe. In some cases, the pus does not flow by itself.
This can cause a hardening, which is usually palpable. Differential diagnosis is to think of boils, which manifest themselves as hard nodules. The inflammatory processes often cause the classic inflammatory sign of redness. It is a sign of an increased blood circulation, which is needed to fight against the bacteria on a cellular level. The extent of the redness can be very different.
