How to Remove an Abscess

An abscess is a swollen, painful, and infected area filled with pus. You can develop an abscess (also known as a boil) on any part of your body. Some small abscesses on the skin may heal on their own without medical treatment, but larger abscesses or those that do not heal on their own require medical attention. Abscesses can be treated at home or with the help of a doctor, who may drain the abscess and prescribe medication.

Do not touch the abscess. Avoid touching, picking, or squeezing the abscess, as this can spread bacteria, cause further inflammation, and lead to more severe infections.

• Use clean bandages or tissues to soak up the pus or discharge from the abscess. Avoid letting your fingers touch the skin while absorbing the fluid. Dispose of the bandage immediately and do not reuse it.
• Always wash your hands before and after treating the abscess to prevent infection from spreading. Dangerous infections like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can enter your body through the abscess.

Apply a warm compress to the abscess area. Wash your hands with soap and water. Heat a cup of water to a warm or hot temperature, but not enough to burn your skin. Then dip a clean bandage or soft cloth into the water and apply it to the abscess and surrounding skin. A warm or hot compress can help drain the abscess, while also alleviating pain and discomfort.

• Apply the warm compress several times a day.
• Gently rub the cloth in a circular motion over the abscess to help the pus drain out. A little blood may come out, which is normal.

Soak in warm water. Fill a bathtub or a smaller container with warm water and soak the affected area or your entire body for about 10-15 minutes. Soaking can help the abscess naturally drain, reducing pain and discomfort.

• Make sure to clean the bathtub or container before and after soaking.
• You may consider adding baking soda, raw oatmeal, colloidal oatmeal, or Epsom salt to the water. These ingredients can soothe the skin and help the abscess drain naturally.

Clean the abscess and surrounding skin. Wash the abscess with a mild antibacterial soap and warm water. Be sure to clean the skin around the abscess as well. Use a clean, soft towel to pat the area dry.

• If you prefer something stronger than soap, you can use an antiseptic solution to clean the abscess.
• Taking a shower or a bath daily also helps cleanse the abscess. Maintaining good personal hygiene can promote healing and reduce the risk of further infection.

Cover the abscess with a sterile bandage. Once the abscess is clean, apply a sterile dressing or bandage over the wound. To prevent infection, you need to change the bandage if the discharge from the abscess soaks through, or if the bandage becomes wet or dirty.

• You can also use a cotton swab to apply honey to the abscess before bandaging it to prevent infection. Be sure not to dip the used cotton swab back into the honey.

Take pain relievers. Use over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Follow the dosage instructions on the label to reduce pain and discomfort. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen also help reduce swelling.

Wash all items that have come into contact with the abscess. Set the washing machine to the hottest water setting. Place all clothing and fabric items, including towels used for the abscess compress, into the washing machine. Run the machine and dry on high heat. This will help eliminate any remaining bacteria that could lead to further inflammation or infection.

Wear loose and soft clothing. Tight clothing can irritate the skin and worsen the abscess. You should wear lightweight, loose, and smooth fabrics to allow the skin to breathe and heal faster.

• Soft fabrics such as cotton or Merino wool can help prevent itching and reduce excessive sweating that could irritate the abscess area.

Monitor for signs of severe infection. Continue self-care if the abscess is healing and shows no signs of worsening infection. Watch for the following signs that indicate the abscess and infection may be getting worse and seek medical treatment immediately:

• Redness and increased pain.
• Red streaks radiating from the abscess towards the heart.
• The abscess and surrounding skin feel very warm or hot to the touch.
• Increased pus or discharge from the abscess.
• A fever above 38.6°C.
• Chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, or muscle aches.

Schedule a doctor's appointment. Some abscesses may require medical care, such as abscesses in individuals over 65 years old. Inform the doctor of how you have treated the abscess at home and any other relevant details to help with the treatment. You should visit a doctor if:

• The abscess is located on the spine or in the center of the face, near the eyes or nose.
• The abscess does not drain on its own.
• The abscess grows larger, is very painful, or has a very large size.
• You have diabetes or other chronic conditions like kidney or liver disease.

Drain the abscess. Allow the doctor to puncture and drain the abscess using a scalpel or a small needle if necessary. The procedure of opening and draining the abscess can remove pus or infected fluid and reduce pressure. Keep the bandage dry and clean after the procedure as applied by the doctor.

• Do not attempt to drain the abscess at home to avoid spreading the infection.
• Ask the doctor about local anesthesia if you're experiencing significant pain.
• The doctor may dress the drained abscess with an antibacterial bandage to absorb any remaining pus and prevent further infection.
• The doctor may also take a sample of the drained fluid for testing to check for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Undergo treatment with topical or oral antibiotics. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics in cases of particularly severe abscesses. Follow the prescribed dosage and complete the antibiotic course as instructed. Taking the full course of antibiotics can help eliminate the infection and reduce the risk of future abscesses or reinfection.

• If you have a healthy immune system and the abscess is small or superficial, antibiotics may not be necessary.