Not only on the skin, abscesses can occur anywhere

An abscess is a collection of pus that collects at one point on a certain body part. Almost all abscesses cause inflammation and swelling in the surrounding area.

Abscess is a natural reaction of the body due to the resistance of the immune system to an infection that attacks certain tissues. The immune system's own resistance is represented by white blood cells. These cells will move through the walls of blood vessels and collect in the damaged tissue.

This process will then produce a liquid that we usually call pus. The pus that results from this resistance process consists of living or dead white blood cells, dead tissue, bacteria, or other foreign objects.

Some bacteria have the ability to form toxins that can damage body tissues and interfere with human health. Therefore, this group of bacteria is able to produce more pus than other bacteria. The example is Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.

Where Can Abscess Form?

Most of us only suspect that an abscess, aka a collection of pus, can only occur in the skin area. In fact, pus can also form on the inside of the body. Here are some locations where abscesses form, namely:

• Skin

  Indeed, most abscesses form under the skin. The most common example of this type of abscess is a boil, which is an infection in the root or hair follicle that later develops into a small abscess in that area. Symptoms of concentrated pus in the skin are usually swelling. In addition, abscesses can also cause redness of the skin in the infected area, feel pain, and feel hot.

• Inside the body

  Abscesses can also form in a person's body, either in the organs or in the spaces between organs. To determine the presence of an abscess in the body, examinations can be done by scanning, such as ultrasound (USG), CT scan, and MRI. One example of this type of abscess is a liver abscess that can appear when the liver is infected.

Some Kinds of Abscess You Need to Know

Some of the types of abscesses below are worth knowing.

• Anal abscess

  Anal abscess is the accumulation of pus in the area near the anus. This type of abscess usually occurs due to an infection in the small anal glands. Another possible cause is the presence of a blocked and inflamed anal gland and the presence of sexually transmitted diseases. Anal abscess can also be caused by an infected sore in the anus. Symptoms that arise due to this abscess is the occurrence of painful swelling and pus like ulcers. When touched, the affected area will feel warm and may have a reddish tint. Some abscesses can also occur in the deeper anal tissue, although this is rare.

• Bartholin's abscess

  This type of abscess is a concentration of pus in the Bartholin's glands, which are on each side of the vaginal entrance. When this gland is blocked, usually a cyst will form. Pus appears as a result of an infected cyst. Accumulation of pus will cause pain in the area. Bartholin's abscess is usually caused by bacteria E. Coli. In addition, bacteria that cause sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, are also thought to play a role in the formation of this type of abscess.

• brain abscess

  Although rare, abscesses can also occur in the human brain. This condition is characterized by symptoms of headaches that are unbearable and cannot be cured with ordinary painkillers. Other symptoms that may appear are changes in mental condition, decreased consciousness, paralysis, seizures, and high fever. The cause of a brain abscess is bacteria or fungi that enter the brain tissue, usually through an infection that occurs in the head, such as a sinus infection, tooth abscess, or ear infection. Pneumonia and severe head injuries can also be the cause.

• Tooth abscess

  Abscess can also occur in the tooth which is characterized by severe throbbing pain around the tooth. The pain that comes on usually occurs suddenly and will worsen a few hours or days later. Tooth abscess will cause teeth to become more sensitive, bad breath, swollen face and gums, and difficulty chewing. This abscess is caused by bacteria that accumulate in the mouth due to not regularly cleaning the teeth and mouth. It can also be caused by consuming too much sugar and foods that contain carbohydrates.

• Peritonsillar abscess

  This abscess is also known as a Quinsy abscess which is a complication of tonsillitis or tonsillitis. This abscess itself is actually rare and can be potentially serious if it happens. Some of the symptoms that accompany this abscess are painful swelling in the mouth and throat, difficulty opening the mouth, pain when swallowing, and difficulty speaking. In addition, other symptoms that may arise are fever, bad breath, earache specifically in the infected area, headache, and difficulty breathing.

• spinal cord abscess

  These abscesses are rare, but if they do occur, they can be life threatening. Usually, a spinal cord abscess is a complication of an epidural abscess. The most common cause of spinal cord abscess is bacteria Staphylococcus. In the past, this condition was mostly caused by bacteria that cause tuberculosis (tuberculosis). Although rare, this type of abscess can also be caused by fungi. Those who are at risk for spinal cord abscess are those with back injuries, ulcers in the back, injection drug users, complications of lumbar puncture, or infections spread through the bloodstream.

• liver abscess

  Another internal organ that can be affected by an abscess is the liver or liver. The first is an amoebic liver abscess. This type of abscess is caused by intestinal parasites Entamoeba histolytica. If a person's intestines are infected by this parasite, the parasites can be carried by the blood to the liver and then cause an abscess. Symptoms of a buildup of pus in the liver include persistent pain and a stabbing feeling in the abdomen, especially the right or upper part. Other symptoms are cough, fever, restlessness, loss of appetite, persistent sweating, and weight loss. Another liver abscess that can occur is a pyogenic liver abscess caused by a group of bacteria. Inflammatory conditions of the bile ducts are the most common cause of pyogenic liver abscess. Symptoms of a pyogenic liver abscess include hard, white stools and dark urine. Generally, sufferers will feel abdominal pain in the upper right, and although rare, can also feel pain throughout the abdomen. Fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weakness, yellow skin, and unexplained weight loss may also be present.

The condition of the abscess is at risk of worsening if it is not treated immediately by a doctor. Don't forget that abscesses can appear anywhere on the body, so we should be more aware of this. To prevent fatal complications, contact your doctor immediately for appropriate treatment, such as abscess surgery.