Abscess Drainage

A red, hot lump that keeps getting more painful and sometimes fills with pus: that is usually an abscess, a pocket of infection under the skin. Many won't heal on their own because antibiotics don't reach the inside well. What fixes it is opening and emptying it, which we do at the clinic under local anesthesia.

What causes it?

Almost always skin bacteria that get in through a pore, an ingrown hair or a small wound. Some of these infections are caused by antibiotic-resistant staph (MRSA), which spreads through skin-to-skin contact and shared items such as towels or razors (CDC).

Why not squeeze it at home?

Squeezing it or poking it with a needle pushes the infection deeper, spreads it into nearby tissue and raises the risk of scarring. A small pimple may improve with warm compresses; a large abscess, or one that keeps growing, needs drainage.

What is the procedure like?

1. We assess its size and depth and check for fever or other signs of spreading infection.
2. We numb the area with local anesthesia.
3. We make a small opening, drain the pus and rinse the cavity.
4. Sometimes we leave gauze inside for a few days so it keeps draining.
5. We decide whether you need antibiotics: after good drainage, many cases don't.

How do I care for it afterward?

Change the dressing as instructed, wash your hands before and after, and don't share towels while it heals. Come back for your check on the agreed date.

When is it urgent?

If red streaks spread from the lump, you get a high fever or chills, the abscess is on the face near the eye, or you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, don't wait.