Abscess

An abscess is a bump underneath the surface of the skin that’s filled with pus. Often red and painful, abscesses can sometimes require medical care to treat and heal properly. The providers at Ocean Urgent Care in Lawndale, California, treat abscesses all over the body. Call the clinic today or schedule an appointment online for abscess treatment.

What is an abscess?

Abscesses are collections of pus that form due to infection. An abscess can develop under the skin, in the teeth, or in organs such as the lungs or brain. Skin abscesses are the most common type of abscess. 

Common symptoms of a skin abscess include:

• Redness
• Warm to the touch
• Raised bump
• Swelling
• Pain

Small abscesses may go away on their own, but larger, painful abscesses may require medical intervention at Ocean Urgent Care. Some abscesses need to be cut open and drained to relieve pain and prevent infection from spreading to other areas of the body.

The practice offers extended hours on weekdays and is open on weekends to ensure you get the proper abscess treatment necessary to heal. 

What causes an abscess to develop?

A bacterial infection typically causes an abscess to form. The most common type of bacteria that causes abscesses to develop is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. MRSA is a bacteria naturally found in the skin, but when it multiplies uncontrollably, it can cause infection. 

Abscesses develop because infected fluid collects under the skin. Pus forms in areas of infection because white blood cells travel to the infection to fight it. The white blood cells collect inside the infected tissue and cause inflammation. Pus is made of white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria. 

How is an abscess treated?

The most common treatment method for an abscess is drainage. Ocean Urgent Care diagnoses and treats many different kinds of skin and soft tissue abscesses. 

Abscesses are diagnosed visually. In some cases, an ultrasound can help confirm the diagnosis. The first step of treatment is cutting the abscess open. Your provider drains the pus and cleans the cavity to remove infection. Closing the cavity helps the area heal more quickly. Sometimes, they pack gauze into the empty cavity. 

In some cases, your provider may prescribe antibiotics after draining the abscess. If your immune system is weak or you’re at risk for other health complications, antibiotics can help you recover from infection more quickly.

Call Ocean Urgent Care today or schedule an appointment online if you need treatment for a painful abscess.