Abscess

An abscess is a localized collection of pus in any part of the body, caused by an infection. An abscess is a tender, easily pressed mass generally surrounded by a colored area from pink to deep red. These infections are common in people with poor dental health and result from lack of proper and timely dental care. Abscesses in the skin are readily visible and are red, raised, and painful.A tooth abscess is a collection of infected material (pus) resulting from bacterial infection of the center (pulp) of a tooth. It is a defensive reaction of the tissue to prevent the spread of infectious materials to other parts of the body. When bacteria seep into the underlying tissues in the anal canal, an abscess may develop. Intra-abdominal abscess continues to be an important and serious problem in surgical practice. There are two types of dental abscess. A periapical abscess starts in the dental pulp and is most common in children.

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA), also known as quinsy, refers to a relatively common infection of the peritonsillar space. Painful and warm to touch, abscesses can show up any place on your body. Pus is mainly a collection of millions of dead cells from your immune system that have tried to deal with an infection.Abscesses occur when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body is able to "wall off" the infection to keep it from spreading.The final structure of the abscess is an abscess wall that is formed by the adjacent healthy cells in an attempt to build a barrier around the pus that limits the infected material from neighboring structures. A dental abscess is an infection in the centre of a tooth which spreads through the tooth to infect supporting bone and other nearby tissues.

Causes of Abscess

Here are the list of some possible causes of Abscess :

• Abscesses occur when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body is able to "wall off" the infection to keep it from spreading.
• Abscesses are caused by obstruction of oil (sebaceous) glands or sweat glands, inflammation of hair follicles, or from minor breaks and punctures of the skin.
• Some are caused when a localized infection causes pus and infected material to collect in the skin or subcutaneous tissue.
• Dental abscesses occur when decay in a tooth is left untreated and reaches the dental pulp (nerve and blood vessel in the centre of the tooth).
• Common bacteria, such as staphylococci, are the most common causes.

Symptoms of Abscess

Some sign and symptoms related to Abscess are as follows :

• Most often, an abscess becomes a painful, compressible mass that is red, warm to touch, and tender.
• Pain when chewing.
• Swollen gums.
• Red gums.
• Sensitivity of the teeth to hot or cold.
• If the infection spreads into deeper tissue, you may develop a fever and begin to feel ill..
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling.
• Swollen area of the upper or lower jaw -- a very serious symptom.
• Difficulty closing mouth fully.
• Chest swelling.

Treatment of Abscess

Here is list some of the methods for treating Candidiasis:

• Antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat a bacterial infection.
• The area will be covered with an antiseptic solution and sterile towels placed around it.
• If the abscess is small (less than 1 cm or less than a half-inch across), applying warm compresses to the area for about 30 minutes 4 times daily can help.
• Surgical drainage of the abscess or extraction of the affected tooth may be necessary.
• The doctor will cut open the abscess and totally drain it of pus and debris.
• Root canal therapy may be recommended in an attempt to preserve the tooth.
• A tube or strip of rubber called a drain may be left in the abscess to stop it from healing over. 
• Marsupialization : If cysts recur, your doctor may perform a technique called marsupialization. This method is usually effective in preventing recurrences.

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