Introduction
A testicular abscess is an encapsulated accumulation of pus in a non-natural (non-preformed) body cavity. The development of an abscess, regardless of its exact location, is always accompanied by an inflammatory tissue fusion. Persons who notice swelling in the area of the testicles and/or suffer from severe pain should definitely consult a specialist in good time.
Symptoms of testicular abscess
The symptoms that cause an abscess depend mainly on its location and size. In the area of the testicles, affected patients notice an inflammation of the skin surface visible from the outside quite early. For this reason, a small abscess on the testicle is often first mistaken for a normal pimple.
The affected area on the testicle also shows itself as conspicuously reddened and swollen. In addition, the increased pressure in the testicle caused by the accumulation of pus causes increased sensitivity. The affected patients usually notice severe pain, which may radiate from the testicles to the buttocks and/or lower abdomen.
The testicle can typically no longer be touched, as this increases the pain enormously. In the further course of the disease, both the redness and swelling as well as the pain on the testicle increase significantly. In addition, a white-yellowish boil can often be detected under the skin. A particularly large abscess on the testicles can also lead to pronounced general symptoms. In these cases the affected patients suffer from fever, fatigue, headache and aching limbs.
Therapy for an abscess on the testicles
An abscess on the testicle must absolutely be treated surgically (click here for the article OP of an abscess). During the surgical procedure the attending doctor opens the lump and allows the pus contained in it to drain off in a controlled manner. Surgery is considered the only effective method of treating a testicular abscess.
The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. It is also possible to open the abscess under local anaesthetic. After the pus of the abscess cavity has been completely drained, the wound should not be sutured.
An abscess on the testicle is usually treated openly. During this period the wound must be cleaned and disinfected regularly. This is the only way to prevent the remaining fluid and bacterial pathogens from re-encapsulating.
Since an abscess on the testis is a bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment should also be initiated. However, the abscess cannot be treated with antibiotics alone. The reason for this is the fact that a connective tissue capsule forms around the site of pus.
Antibacterial agents cannot penetrate this connective tissue capsule and therefore have no effect. Smaller abscesses do not necessarily have to be removed surgically, but can also be treated with a pulling ointment. A traction ointment is a special ointment that is applied to the abscess and causes the boil to “mature”.
This means that the pus is pulled out of the depth of the tissue and comes to the surface where it can be removed more easily. The pulling ointment promotes blood circulation, which accelerates the process of inflammation and pus formation in the abscess. In addition, pulling ointment has an antibacterial effect and reduces the flow of sebum from the sebaceous glands of the skin. Pulling ointments are mostly based on herbal active ingredients, such as oil shale, and can be purchased over the counter at the pharmacy.
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