Skin Abscess Treatment

A skin abscess is also known as a boil. An abscess is a raised area of pus that is usually located on the skin's surface, but can affect the brain, kidneys, liver, lungs, teeth and tonsils. A skin abscess usually forms due to infections below the surface. The area of the abscess will be hot to the touch due to fever of the infection, and the surrounding area will be red or pink and sensitive to the touch.

  1. Heat

    • Most abscesses can be treated at home and will go away with simple treatment with heat. Soak the boil in warm water for about 30 minutes or apply a heat compress to the area for three or four times per day. The heat will improve circulation and help fight the infection by increasing the white blood cells in the area. Usually when the infection clears, the boil will go away on its own.

    Drainage

    • If the boil does not go away on its own or becomes increasing painful, you should see your physician. Your physician will probably cut or lance the boil to allow it to drain. This should not be done at home on your own as you might sever a blood vessel, or it could cause the infection to spread. Most boils will drain on their own after they have been soaked, but many have several pockets of infection that will have to be drained before healing can occur.

    Antibiotics

    • You physician may prescribe antibiotics if the skin surrounding the abscess is infected or if the abscess is not healing on its own. Antibiotics are usually not needed because once the area is drained and the infection is allowed to come out, the area will not require antibiotics. Antibiotics also have a hard time penetrating the area of a abscess.