Skin abscesses: An area of tissue is isolated by the body’s immune system that has been invaded by bacteria or microorganisms. This happens so that the infection does not spread further into the body. Leukocytes or particular white blood cells destroy the infectious bacteria by fighting them. At this site, the infection is progressive, pus forms within the affected tissue and an abscess or wall of tissue forms around the area. The skin feels warm and the surrounding space becomes red, painful, and swollen.

• Furuncles are boils or abscesses that usually develop on the face, neck, groin, buttocks, armpits and thighs.
• Carbuncles are several clusters of boils, which are formed over a lengthy period of time and situated on the nape of the neck or back.

Internal abscesses: Serious internal abscesses can form anywhere within the body and some of the most common areas afflicted are appendix, tonsils, liver, brain, gums or jaw and spinal cord. The main etiology to the formation of internal abscesses is a weak immune system (that might require chemotherapy) or prolonged diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Liver abscesses are caused due to the spread of abdominal infection or an infectious agent that is transported through the blood stream precipitates itself into the liver. Such formations are caused due to bacteria that are found inside the intestine.

Abdominal abscesses can develop due to:

• Intestinal burst
• Appendix burst
• Burst ovary
• Parasite infection
• IBD
• Infections in the pancreas, gall bladder and other organs
• Pelvic infection

Symptoms of abdominal abscess are usually a sharp or dull pain in the area of the abdomen, which worsens over a period of time. The patient can also experience pain in back, chest or shoulder.

Anorectal abscess: The cryptoglandular epithelium lining in the anal canal gets infected and the infection spreads into the intersphincteric space finding its way easily into the perirectal spaces. The anal crypts are obstructed and sepsis of static glandular secretions leads to suppuration and formation of abscesses in the anal gland. The causes of anorectal abscesses are associated with:

• Anaerobic bacteria Prevotella, Peptostreptococcus, Bacteroides Fragilis, Clostridium
• Aerobic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli
• Crohn’s disease
• Trauma
• HIV related immunodeficiency
• Radiation therapy
• Foreign body invasions
• Appendicitis

We conduct definitive diagnosis of abscesses and formulates methodical treatment plans based on results. Surgical drainage being the only option, the patient is prescribed antibiotics for wound healing after the procedure.