Get Answers
What an abscess is
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms when the body tries to fight an infection. It can happen in the skin, gums, teeth, armpits, buttocks, or elsewhere.
Abscesses often look swollen, red, warm, and painful. Some may feel firm at first, then become softer as pus builds up.
What you should do first
If you suspect you have an abscess, do not try to squeeze, burst, or lance it yourself. This can push the infection deeper or spread it to nearby tissue.
Keep the area clean and avoid touching it more than necessary. If the abscess is on the skin, a warm compress may help ease discomfort, but it will not replace proper treatment.
When to contact a healthcare professional
In the UK, contact your GP, NHS 111, or a dental practice if the abscess is near a tooth or in your mouth. Abscesses often need treatment, and some may need antibiotics or drainage.
You should seek advice promptly if the pain is getting worse, the swelling is increasing, or the area is leaking pus. Do not wait for it to “go away” if it is not improving.
When to get urgent help
Get urgent medical help if you develop a fever, feel unwell, or notice the redness spreading quickly. These can be signs that the infection is becoming more serious.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you have trouble breathing, severe swelling, confusion, or swelling affecting the face, eye, or throat. These symptoms may need emergency treatment.
What treatment may involve
Treatment depends on where the abscess is and how severe it is. Some abscesses need drainage by a clinician, and others are treated with antibiotics, pain relief, or both.
If it is a dental abscess, you may need urgent dental treatment rather than just medicines. Treating the source of the infection is important, or it may come back.
How to help yourself while waiting
Wash your hands before and after touching the area, and keep any dressing clean and dry if you have one. If a healthcare professional has advised it, you can use paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief, following the instructions on the packet.
Try to rest and stay hydrated. If the abscess is painful, avoid pressure on the area and wear loose clothing where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep the area clean, do not squeeze or pop it, apply warm compresses, and contact a healthcare professional promptly for evaluation.
Seek urgent care if you have fever, rapidly worsening redness or swelling, severe pain, red streaks, trouble moving the area, or if the abscess is on the face, spine, genitals, or near the anus.
No, you should not try to drain it yourself because this can spread infection, worsen tissue damage, or cause complications.
Use warm compresses for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day, keep the area clean and covered, and wash your hands well after touching the area.
Sometimes antibiotics are needed, especially if the infection is spreading, you have fever, or you are at higher risk, but many abscesses also need professional drainage.
It is getting worse if pain, swelling, redness, warmth, or pus increases, if you develop fever, or if the area becomes harder or larger.
Abscesses are usually caused by a bacterial infection that leads to a pocket of pus, often after a blocked gland, infected hair follicle, cut, or bite.
The abscess itself is not usually contagious, but the bacteria causing it can spread through direct contact with drainage or contaminated items.
Wash your hands, gently clean the area with soap and water, cover it with a clean bandage, and arrange medical care because it may still need treatment.
Yes, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help if you can take them safely, but they do not treat the infection.
You should not wait long if you suspect an abscess; arrange medical evaluation within 24 to 48 hours, sooner if symptoms are severe or worsening.
Because facial abscesses can be more serious, seek prompt medical evaluation and avoid squeezing or manipulating the area.
Contact a healthcare professional promptly because infections can worsen faster and may need drainage, antibiotics, or closer follow-up.
Some small abscesses may improve, but many do not fully heal without drainage or treatment, so medical assessment is recommended.
Call emergency services or go to the ER if you have trouble breathing, confusion, very high fever, severe spreading infection, or feel faint or very ill.
Gently wash the surrounding skin with soap and water, pat it dry, and cover it with a clean dressing if it is draining.
No, do not use a needle, blade, or any sharp object because it can make the infection worse and cause injury.
Follow your clinician’s instructions, complete any prescribed medicines, keep the wound clean, and return if redness, pain, or fever worsens.
Yes, abscesses can recur, especially if there is an underlying skin condition, ongoing infection, or repeated irritation, so prevention and follow-up matter.
Keep skin clean, treat cuts and bites early, avoid sharing towels or razors, manage chronic conditions, and seek care early for infected bumps.
Ergsy Search Results
This website offers general information and is not a substitute for professional advice.
Always seek guidance from qualified professionals.
If you have any medical concerns or need urgent help, contact a healthcare professional or emergency services immediately.
Some of this content was generated with AI assistance. We've done our best to keep it accurate, helpful, and human-friendly.
- Ergsy carefully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
- Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
- To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
- Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
- You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
- Go to the video you'd like to watch.
- If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
- To turn on Captions, click settings.
- To turn off Captions, click settings again.