Urgent Care Abscess Drainage in San Antonio, TX

What Is a Skin Abscess?

A skin abscess is a painful, red, swollen lump that contains pus, often like a pimple, though larger in size. Abscesses can form almost anywhere in or on your body. They can occur anywhere on your skin, in your mouth, or around your organs and are your body’s immune response to a bacterial infection.

There are three primary types of abscesses. They include:

• Skin abscesses often occur on the armpit, breast, anus, or rectum.
• Mouth abscesses often occur on the gums, tonsils, throat, at the tip of the root of a tooth, or in the bones and tissues that support the teeth.
• Internal abscesses occurring on the spinal cord, brain, abdomen, and other organs.

What Are Common Symptoms of a Skin Abscess?

Symptoms of a skin abscess include pain, fever, and chills. An abscess in your mouth may cause severe toothache in addition to the following symptoms:

• Swelling in the jaw, cheek, or floor of the mouth.
• Teeth sensitivity
• Fever
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty opening the mouth

Internal abscesses aren’t as obvious and may include:

• Fatigue
• Pain and tenderness
• Fever
• Chills
• Excessive sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

How are Skin Abscesses Treated?

A small abscess or one that’s located close to the surface of the skin could potentially resolve on its own. However, many require medical intervention.

If you or a loved one is struggling with the discomfort of a skin abscess, gently apply a warm compress to the affected area to alleviate pain and encourage draining. Avoid squeezing the abscess as it could spread the bacteria to other areas of the skin.

There are two ways to treat an abscess: abscess incision and drainage (I & D) and antibiotics (only if needed).

The I & D procedure involves making an incision in the abscess to allow the pus to drain. This is usually performed under local anesthesia with a numbing cream to minimize discomfort. Here is what to expect during an I & D procedure:

• Assessment
  Your healthcare provider will assess the size, depth, and location of the abscess and determine the best treatment approach.
• Cleaning and preparation
  They will then clean and prepare the area for treatment.
• Numbing the area
  If necessary, they will administer local anesthesia or a topical numbing cream to help minimize discomfort.
• Incision
  Once you confirm the area is numb, your healthcare provider will make a small incision over the abscess to prepare for drainage.
• Drainage of the abscess
  The pus is then carefully drained from the abscess using a small amount of pressure and sterile instruments to help encourage draining.
• Cleaning and bandaging
  Once fully drained, the area is cleaned and bandaged using a sterile dressing to protect the wound and encourage healing.

Get Back to Your Day—Fast—With Alamo City Urgent Care

Don’t let a painful skin abscess hold you back. At Alamo City Urgent Care, we prioritize your time, comfort, and health with fast, effective urgent care services.

Find your nearest location and reserve your spot in line for relief without the wait.