Skin Health Fungal, Bacterial & Viral Infections What Is an Abscess? By Heather L. Brannon, MD Heather L. Brannon, MD Heather L. Brannon, MD, is a family practice physician in Mauldin, South Carolina. She has been in practice for over 20 years. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 14, 2022 Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD Verywell Health's Facebook Verywell Health's LinkedIn William Truswell, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He is president of the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention A skin abscess is a walled-off, bump-like collection of pus that appears either within or just below the surface of the skin. Abscesses are typically caused by a bacterial infection. They tend to appear on the back, chest, buttocks, and face. Sometimes, they develop in areas where hair is present, such as the armpits and pubic area. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo JodiJacobson / Getty Images Furuncles and carbuncles are two similar types of skin abscesses. A furuncle, sometimes called a boil, is caused when a hair follicle becomes infected and creates a small abscess. A carbuncle is defined as multiple pus-draining follicles that combine to create a single infected mass. Furuncles and carbuncles tend to appear in areas that have been exposed to minor trauma, sweat, or friction (such as beneath a belt or where the skin has been irritated from shaving). This article explains the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for abscesses. It also points out how to prevent them from developing in the first place. Abscess Symptoms An abscess looks like a little bump or a pimple that can grow into an inflamed, fluid-filled cyst. The skin surrounding an abscess is often painful and warm to the touch. In some cases, an abscess can be extremely hard and firm (indurated). Depending on the cause, the appearance of an abscess may be accompanied by fever, nausea, or swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy). Causes Abscesses are most often caused by a bacteria, called Staphylococcus aureus, which normally exists on the skin and inside the nose. It can enter the body through a cut, abrasion, puncture, or even an insect bite. Other factors can increase the risk of S. aureus infection, including: A chronic skin condition, such as acne or eczema A weakened immune system Close contact with an infected person Diabetes Poor hygiene A condition called folliculitis can cause an abscess to form within a hair follicle. Infection begins when a hair is trapped beneath the surface and can't break through (a condition commonly referred to as an ingrown hair). Folliculitis can be caused by shaving (particularly in Black people). It is also associated with swimming in an improperly chlorinated pool or hot tub. Recap Abscesses most likely form due to the presence of Staphylococcus aureus (or staph), a bacteria. Diagnosis Diagnosis is usually made on appearance alone. While smaller abscesses usually can be treated at home, medical attention should be considered if an abscess: Becomes painfulDevelops on the faceGrows to be more than 2 inches in diameterPersists for more than two weeksPropagates into more than oneRecurs after treatment Treatment Small abscesses can be treated at home with a warm compress to relieve pain and promote drainage. A larger abscess may need to be drained at the doctor's office to both relieve the pain and treat the infection. Depending on the cause of an abscess, a doctor may consider whether an antibiotic is needed. Antibiotics are often prescribed to people who have a weakened immune system or are experiencing whole-body symptoms like fever. In such cases, a doctor may take a pus sample to better evaluate the cause and ensure that the bacteria is not drug-resistant. Do not attempt to drain an abscess at home. You'll run the risk of making the infection worse. Always wash your hands after touching an abscess. And clean anything that comes into contact with it. Prevention While abscesses are not entirely avoidable, there are a few simple measures you can take to prevent them: Wash your hands often, ideally with an antibacterial cleanser. Treat any cuts with care, keeping them clean, covered, and dry until they fully heal. Do not share personal items like razors, towels, lipstick, or lip balm. Avoid cutting yourself when shaving your underarms or pubic area. Summary An abscess looks like a little bump or a pimple that can grow into an inflamed, fluid-filled cyst. Most often, it is caused by a bacteria, called Staphylococcus aureus, which normally exists on the skin and inside the nose. But other culprits, like acne, eczema, or poor hygiene shouldn't be overlooked as possible culprits. Large abscesses must often be drained (by a medical professional only) to ease the pain and discomfort. Depending on the cause, an antibiotic may be justified to finish off the abscess. A Word From Verywell Remember that you shouldn't underestimate abscesses, particularly the bigger ones. As tempting as it may be to pinch one or try to shrink or drain one, leave the job to your healthcare provider. In expert hands, the procedure won't take long. And you won't run the risk of spreading the bacteria and causing a more serious infection. 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kolar SL, Liu GY. Targeting bacterial abscess formation. EBioMedicine. 2016;12:16-17. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.10.017 Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Boils and carbuncles: Overview. Creech CB, Al-zubeidi DN, Fritz SA. Prevention of recurrent staphylococcal skin infections. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2015;29(3):429-64. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.007. Patterson, JW. Practical Skin Pathology: A Diagnostic Approach. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences. National Health Service. Treatment-abscess. Baiu I, Melendez E. Skin abscess. JAMA. 2018;319(13):1405. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.1355. Nemours KidsHealth. Abscess. By Heather L. Brannon, MD Heather L. Brannon, MD, is a family practice physician in Mauldin, South Carolina. She has been in practice for over 20 years. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit