Skin abscess and boils

What is a skin abscess?

An abscess is a collection of pus under the skin following a bacterial infection. The area becomes red, warm, swollen and tender, and after some days it may feel soft in the middle. That softness is a sign that pus has collected. 1

Typical symptoms

• Redness, warmth, swelling and pain in a defined area.
• A lump that is hard at first and later becomes soft.
• Reduced function in the area because movement hurts.
• Sometimes spontaneous discharge of pus.

Examination and treatment

The diagnosis is clinical. When the abscess is mature, draining the pus is the decisive treatment. Antibiotics alone are often not enough for a mature abscess. The need for antibiotics in addition to drainage is assessed individually, based on factors including the extent of the infection, the person's general condition and risk factors. After drainage the wound care continues, and many people manage the wound themselves with review by their doctor. 1

Repeated abscesses in the armpits, groin or around the anus should raise suspicion of hidradenitis suppurativa. Abscesses at the anus belong under perianal abscess. 1

The clinic decides what can be assessed here and what needs to go further. Contact the clinic to clarify whether your referral belongs here.

Do not squeeze or cut it yourself

Squeezing or cutting into an abscess can spread the infection deeper and make it harder to treat. Have it assessed instead.

When it needs to be fast

Seek assessment the same day if:

• the abscess is on the face, especially around the nose and upper lip
• you develop fever or shivering
• the redness spreads quickly through the skin
• you have diabetes or a weakened immune system
• you feel generally unwell.

Call 112 if you are severely affected. Otherwise call 1813 in the Capital Region or the out-of-hours doctor. Email is not an emergency channel.

What you can do yourself

• Keep the area clean and dry, and avoid rubbing or pressing.
• Use ordinary painkillers as directed on the package.
• Change dressings as agreed and watch for fever and increasing redness.
• With repeated abscesses, stopping smoking and treating an underlying skin disease can matter a great deal.

Sources

• Skin abscesses, Lægehåndbogen at sundhed.dk
• Folliculitis, Patienthåndbogen at sundhed.dk