Not just on the skin, abscesses can occur anywhere

An abscess is a collection of pus that collects at one point on a particular body part. Almost all abscesses cause inflammation and swelling in the surrounding area. An abscess is the body's natural reaction due to resistance from 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 gather in damaged tissue. This process will then produce a liquid which we call pus. Pus generated from this resistance process consists of living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, bacteria, or other foreign matter. Some bacteria have the ability to form toxins that can damage body tissue and interfere with human health. Therefore, this group of bacteria is able to produce more pus than other bacteria. Examples are Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.

Where can an abscess be formed?

Most of us only suspect that the abscess alias 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 are formed:

• Skin

Indeed, most abscesses form under the skin. The most common example of this type of abscess is boils, which are infections in the roots or hair follicles which then develop into small abscesses in the area. Symptoms from the concentration of pus in the skin are usually swelling. In addition, the abscess can also appear reddish color on the skin in the infected area, feels pain, and feels hot.

• In the body

Abscesses can also form in a person's body, both within the body's organs and in the space between the organs of the body. To determine the presence of abscesses in the body, the examination can be done by scanning, such as utrasonography (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

Several types of abscesses below are noteworthy.

• Anal abscess

Anal abscess is a buildup of pus in the area near the anus. This type of abscess usually occurs because of an infection in the small gland of the anus. Other possible causes are the presence of blocked anal glands which are inflamed and the presence of sexually transmitted diseases. Anal abscesses can also be caused by an injury in the infected anus. Symptoms that arise from this abscess is the occurrence of painful swelling and festering like boils. When touched, the affected area will feel warm and may have a reddish color. Some abscesses can also occur in deeper anal tissue, although it is rare.

• Bartholin's abscess

This type of abscess is a concentration of pus in the Bartholin gland, which is on each side of the vaginal entrance. If the gland is blocked, cysts usually form. Pus appears as a result of an infected cyst. The accumulation of pus will cause pain in the area. Bartholin's abscess is generally caused by E. coli bacteria. 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 pain medication. Other symptoms that may arise are changes in mental condition, decreased consciousness, paralysis, seizures, and high fever. The cause of brain abscesses are bacteria or fungi that enter the brain tissue, usually through infections that occur in the head, such as sinus infections, dental abscesses, or ear infections. Pneumonia and severe head injuries can also be the cause.

• Dental abscess

Abscesses can also occur in teeth characterized by severe throbbing pain around the teeth. The pain that comes usually occurs suddenly and will worsen a few hours or days later. Dental abscesses will cause teeth to become more sensitive, bad breath, swelling on the face and gums, to the difficulty of chewing. This abscess is caused by bacteria that gather in the mouth due to not routinely cleaning teeth and mouth. It can also be caused by consuming too much sugar and carbohydrate-containing foods.

• Peritonsilar abscess

This abscess is also known as a Quinsy abscess which is a complication of tonsillitis or tonsillitis. These abscesses themselves are actually rare and can be potentially serious if they occur. Some of the symptoms that accompany this abscess are swelling in the mouth and throat that is painful, difficulty opening the mouth, pain when swallowing, and difficulty speaking. In addition, other symptoms that may arise are fever, bad breath, special ear pain in the infected part, headaches, and difficulty

• Spinal nerve abscess

These abscesses are rare, but if they occur they can be life threatening. Usually, a spinal nerve abscess is a complication of an epidural abscess. The most common cause of spinal cord abscess is bacteria, namely Staphylococcus. In the past, this condition was mostly caused by germs that cause tuberculosis. Although rare, this type of abscess can also be caused by fungus. Those at risk of developing a spinal cord abscess are those who suffer back injuries, boils in the back, injecting drug users, complications of lumbar puncture, or infections that are spread through the bloodstream.

• Heart abscess

Other internal organs that can be affected by an abscess are the liver or liver. The first is Amoeba's liver abscess. This type of abscess is caused by intestinal parasites Entamoeba histolytica. If a person's intestine is infected by this parasite, then the parasite can be carried by blood to the liver and then cause an abscess. Symptoms of a buildup of pus in the liver include persistent pain and prickling in the abdomen, especially the right or upper part. Other symptoms are cough, fever, anxiety, loss of appetite, constant sweating, and weight loss. Other liver abscesses that can occur are pyogenic liver abscesses caused by a group of bacteria. Inflammatory conditions of the bile duct are the most common causes of pyogenic liver abscesses. Some of the symptoms that arise due to pyogenic liver abscess include hard and white feces, and dark urine. Generally, sufferers will experience abdominal pain in the upper right, and although rare, can also feel pain throughout the stomach. Fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weakness, yellow skin, and weight loss without cause, can also be suffered.

The risk of an abscess worsens if it is not treated immediately by a doctor. Don't forget that abscesses can appear in any part of the body, so we should be more aware of this. To prevent fatal complications, contact your doctor immediately to get the examination and the right treatment.