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An abscess is a localized collection of pus which generally develops in response to infection. An abscess is typically painful, and it appears as a swollen area and is warm to the touch. The skin surrounding an abscess typically appears pink or red.
Abscesses can develop in many parts of the body, but they usually involve the skin surface. Common sites affected include the armpits, groin, rectal area (perirectal abscess), the external vaginal area (Bartholin's abscess). Abscesses can also affect the brain, kidneys, liver (hepatic abscess), lungs, teeth (dental abscess), and tonsils (peritonsillar abscess). Skin abscesses are often referred to as boils.
Causes:
People with weakened immune system are prone to develop abscesses.
Individuals with the following conditions are at higher risk for developing abscesses are
a.Chemotherapy
b.Chronic steroid therapy
c.Diabetes
d.Cancer
e.AIDS
f.Leukaemia
g.Ulcerative colitis
h.Crohn's disease
i.Severe burns
j.Severe trauma
k.Peripheral vascular disease
l.Dialysis for kidney failure
Symptoms:
a.Pain
b.Swelling
c.Tender and warm to touch
If the infection spreads, the symptoms are
a.Fever
b.Nausea
c.Vomiting
d.Increasing pain
e.Increasing skin redness
When to seek medical care: if
a.The sore is larger than 1 cm or one-half inch across.
b.The sore continues to enlarge or becomes more painful.
c.The person has an underlying illness such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, leukemia, sickle cell disease, or peripheral vascular disease.
d.The person is an IV drug abuser.
e.The person is on steroid therapy, chemotherapy or dialysis.
f.The sore is on or near the rectal or groin area.
g.The person has a fever of 100.4°F or higher.
Tests:
a.Physical examination
b.Blood tests
c.Imaging tests
Self-Care at Home
a.If the abscess is small (less than 1 cm or less than one-half inch across), applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes, four times daily may help.
b.Do not attempt to drain the abscess by pressing on it as it can push the infected material into the deeper tissues.
c.Do not stick a needle or other sharp instrument into the abscess because it may injure an underlying blood vessel or cause the infection to spread. Homoeopathic treatment: 1.Arsenicum:
a.Useful remedy in low condition of abscess
b.great debility is present
c.production of watery and ichorous pus
d.the threatening of gangrene and the intolerable burning pains will call immediate attention to this remedy.
2.Rhustax:
a.is a very useful remedy in acute suppuration;
b.especially has it been found useful in suppurative conditions about the eye.
c.It has proved curative in abscesses about the parotid and axillary glands;
d.the pus is bloody and serous, the pain is intense, and the swelling is dark red.
e.Rhus corresponds very closely to septicaemia.
3.Sulphur:
a.Is also a remedy which may be used with the greatest benefit in abscesses and suppuration;
b.especially is it useful in chronic cases where the discharge is profuse, accompanied with emaciation and hectic fever.
c.The pus is acrid and excoriating.
d.Crops of boils in various parts of the body indicate this remedy well.
4.Lachesis:
a.In low conditions of abscess, when pus in thin, dark, ichorous, and offensive in character
b.The parts are purplish in appearance.
c.It the remedy for abscess where poisonous matter has been introduced into the system, causing the trouble.
5.Mercurius:
a.one of the good remedies in abscess.
b.It comes when pus has formed.
c.It favors the formation of pus especially in the lower potencies
d.especially indicated in glandular abscesses
e.the pus is greenish in tint, and quite thin and fluid.
f.There is intense, shining redness with throbbing and stinging pains.
Dr Guptha, Director for the medical coding services and medical coding training
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