Anal abscess:
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On the article:
Causes of
anal abscess
Symptoms of
anal abscess
Diagnosis of
anal abscess
Treatment of
anal abscess
An anal abscess is a painful collection of pus near the anus. Most anal
abscesses are the result of infection through small anal glands.
This often manifests as a painful boiling swelling near the anus. It may be red
and warm to the touch. Deeper tissue anal abscesses are less common and may not
be noticeable.
Surgical
incision and drainage are the most common treatments for all types of anal abscess and
are usually successful.
About 50% of patients with anal abscess develop a complication called a fistula. A
fistula is a small tunnel that creates an abnormal connection between the site
of an abscess and the skin.. In other cases where the tunnel opening is closed
from the outside, recurrent anal abscesses may develop. Surgery is required to
cure almost all anal fistulas.
Causes of anal abscess:
An anal
abscess can have many causes. These include:
Anal
fissure, an infected anal canal fissure
Sexually
transmitted disease
Clogged anal
glands
Risk factors for anal abscess include:
Colitis
Inflammatory
bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
Diabetes
mellitus
Diverticulitis
Pelvic
inflammatory disease
Being a
receptive partner for anal sex
Use of drugs
such as prednisone
In adults, using a condom during sexual intercourse, including anal intercourse,
helps prevent anal abscesses. In infants, frequent diaper changes and proper
cleaning between diaper changes help prevent anal fistulas and perianal
abscesses. Symptoms of anal abscess
A superficial anal abscess is often associated with:
A constant, throbbing
pain that usually gets worse when sitting
Inflammation
of the skin around the anus, such as swelling, redness, and tenderness
discharge of
pus
A deeper anal abscess may also be associated with:
Heat
Cold
Stagnation
Fever may be the only symptom of a deep anal abscess:
Diagnosis of anal abscess:
A laboratory examination, including a digital rectal exam, is usually
sufficient to diagnose an anal abscess. However, some patients may need
additional tests for screening.
Sexually
transmitted disease
Inflammatory
bowel disease
Diverticulosis
Colon cancer
Rarely, an examination under anesthesia is possible. Your doctor may also ask
for an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
Treatment of anal abscess:
Immediate surgical drainage is important, preferably before the abscess erupts. A
superficial anal abscess can be drained in a clinic under local anesthesia.
Hospitalization and help from an anesthesiologist may be necessary if the anal
abscess is large or deep.
After surgery, most people are prescribed medication to relieve pain.
Antibiotics are usually not needed in otherwise healthy people. However, some
people, such as those with diabetes or a weakened immune system, may need
antibiotics. Fistula surgery may be performed at the same time as abscess
surgery. However, a fistula often occurs 4-6 weeks after the abscess has
drained. A fistula may appear months or years later. Therefore, fistula surgery
is usually another procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis or
with a short hospital stay.
Post-abscess or fistula surgery discomfort is usually mild and can
be controlled with pain relievers. People can expect to lose minimal time from
work or school.
Sufferers are usually advised to soak the affected area in a warm water bath (sitz
bath) three to four times a day.Stool softeners may be recommended to ease
discomfort during bowel movements. Some people recommend wearing gauze bandages
or mini-bandages to prevent drainage from staining clothing.
Complications after
surgery include:
Infection
Anal fissure
Abscess
recurrence
Scarring
After an anal abscess or
fistula has healed properly, the problem is unlikely to return.However, it is important to follow the
advice of your doctor or colorectal surgeon to prevent this from happening.
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