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Skin Abscesses and Bacterial Infections
Boils and other skin abscesses may not require medical attention but if you develop fever and chills, consider visiting an urgent care facility near you.
Abscesses are larger raised areas on the skin, tender to the touch and filled with pus in deeper tissues. A skin abscess, for example, can start to appear as a simple red bump on your skin, similar to a pimple.
A raised lumpy boil is a skin abscess that may start in a hair follicle or an oil gland. As the abscess swells and stretches the skin tight, a lump may develop and form a small boil with pus, which is mainly dead cells and bacteria.
Abscesses can become serious, quickly, if they’re infected. That’s why it’s so important to see a healthcare provider for a full diagnosis and treatment plan.
What Causes a Skin Abscess?
Infections, injuries and underlying medical conditions (like diabetes) can affect the growth of skin abscesses. They can occur anywhere and cause swelling, redness and fever.
Health conditions that might make more people susceptible:
- Diabetes
- Weak immune system
- Poor nutrition
- Parasites
- Trauma or surgical wound
- Eczema and conditions that break skin barrier
- Poor hygiene
- Cellulitis
How to care for skin infections
Boils and other types of bacteria form on your skin. You may develop them anywhere on your face and body, especially near sweat glands and lymph nodes. An abscess may feel thick and swollen.
If you have fever and chills with excess drainage at the wound, talk to a provider at urgent care. They can diagnose which kind of bacteria is present and then clean, cut and drain the area. Medical providers may also prescribe antibiotics or other medications to clear up the infection quicker.
Untreated boils and skin abscesses may spread to surrounding tissues and the bloodstream. This causes serious complications, including sepsis, necrotizing fasciitis, even death.
