Abscess Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Alternative Medicine

Diagnosis of Abscess

Common findings of inflammation ; heat, redness, swelling, and pain, easily identify superficial abscesses. Abscesses in other places may produce only general symptoms such as fever and discomfort. Organ or system dysfunction, such as seizures or altered bowel function, can provide clues. The pain and tenderness on physical examination are common findings. Sometimes a deep abscess will eat a small channel (sinus) to the surface and begin leaking pus. A sterile abscess may cause only a painful lump deep in the buttock where the shot was given.


Treatment of Abscess

Because the skin is very resistant to the spread of infection, it acts as a barrier, often keeping the toxic chemicals of an abscess from escaping the body on their own. Thus, the pus must be drained from the abscess by a physician. Surgeon determines when the abscess is ready for drainage and opens the way to the outside, so that the pus to escape. Normally, the body handles the remaining infection, sometimes with the help of antibiotics or other drugs. The surgeon may leave a drain (a piece of cloth or rubber) in the abscess cavity to prevent the closing before all the pus has been removed.


Prevention of Abscess

Infections are treated early with heat (if superficial) or antibiotics will often resolve without the formation of an abscess. It is even better to avoid infections altogether by taking prompt care of open wounds, especially puncture wounds. The bites are most dangerous of all, even more so because they often occur on the hands.


Alternative Medicine

If the abscess is directly under the skin, then it will slowly way through the skin, because the faster way to work elsewhere. Because the chemicals work faster at higher temperatures, applications of hot compresses to the skin over the abscess will accelerate digestion and the end result in the skin to break down and release pus spontaneously. This treatment is best reserved for smaller abscesses in less sensitive areas of the body such as the limbs, trunk, and back of the neck. It is also useful for all superficial abscesses in the early stages. It will "ripen" them.
Contrast hydrotherapy, alternating hot and cold compresses, can also help assist the body in resorption of the abscess. There are two homeopathic remedies that work to rebalance the body in relation to abscess formation, Silica and Hepar sulphuris . In cases of septic abscesses, bentonite clay packs (bentonite clay and a small amount of Hydrastis powder) can be used to draw the infection from the area.