Skin Atlas
Skin Atlas
Diagnosis of Abscess
Characteristics
  • Abscess: collection of pus that has built up within the tissue of the body.1
  • Abscesses present as a localized, swollen, red, and painful area, often warm to the touch and sometimes with a visible pus-filled centre.1
  • Abscess may feel as though it is filled with fluid or “boggy” if it is pressed (fluctuates).1
  • Area of redness is often bigger than the area of swelling.2
  • Pain, fever and chills may also be present.1

Causes
  • Abscesses are usually caused by bacterial infections, with many different types of bacteria as possible etiologic agents.2–4
Abscess

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Lynne H. Robertson, Dermatologist

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Abscess

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1. Singer AJ, Talan DA. Management of skin abscesses in the era of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(11):1039-1047; 2. Tidy C, Willacy H. Abscess. Patient.info. Last updated September 26, 2023. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://patient.info/infections/abscess-leaflet; 3. Bush LM. Abscesses. MSD Manual Professional Edition. Reviewed/Revised July 2024. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/biology-of-infectious-disease/abscesses?query=abscess; 4. The Manual's Editorial Staff. Folliculitis and skin abscesses. MSD Manual Consumer Version. Reviewed/Revised November 2023. Accessed November 27, 2024. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-skin-disorders/bacterial-skin-infections/folliculitis-and-skin-abscesses.