Dr. Tejal Kanwar

What is an abscess?

An abscess is a collection of pus which built ups within the tissue of the body. It is usually tender and warm to touch.

What are the statistics of it?

An abscess is the most common condition and the most common presenting symptom of various diseases. The rate is approximately 65% of the population who are using intravenous drugs.

What are the common causes of it?

It mostly occurs in the patients with weak immunity. Following are the most common conditions which can cause abscess:

1. Chronic use of steroid - it suppresses natural immune mechanism along with the disease
2. Chemotherapy
3. In diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, AIDS, peripheral vascular disorders, crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis as they cause weak immunity
4. In severe burns
5. In severe trauma
6. In alcoholics, and IV drug abusers
7. Due to poor hygiene, and poor circulation
8. Due to bacterial infections like Staphylococcus aureus infection
9. Due to parasites, such as dracunculiasis and myiasis

What are the symptoms of it?

The most common symptoms and signs of the superficial abscesses are redness, heat, swelling, pain, loss of function, and fever with, or without chills. An internal abscess shows symptoms, such as pain in the affected area, fever, and malaise.

Where can it develop?

It can occur in any tissue, but most frequently it occurs on the skin surface (superficial abscess). It can also occur in the lungs, brain, teeth, kidneys, tonsils, liver, perineum, hair follicle, and bones.

Why does it develop?

It is a defensive mechanism of the tissue. The bacteria which enters the body destroys the body cells and results in the release of cytokines. This cytokine causes white blood cells to proliferate near that area by increasing regional blood flow. All these materials with killed bacteria and kill white blood cells collect in the cavity and localize the infection by forming a capsule around it.  This capsule prevents further spread of infection to the adjacent organs.

How to diagnose it?

A superficial abscess does not require any investigation as compared to deep abscess. Investigations, such as computed tomography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging can be used to diagnose the deep abscesses.  

What is the treatment available for it?

Following are the treatments which are given most commonly to treat the abscess:

1. Incision and drainage include inspection of an abscess to identify the presence of foreign objects, and removal of it by cutting it. The pus which gets collected is also drained by this technique.
2. Antibiotics are used where the abscess is small, and they are also administered after doing incision, and drainage.
3. Dressing with antiseptics is also done after the incision and drainage.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

The female reproductive organ is an area of the human body where many microbial organisms inhabit together and it is a necessary requirement for its health. These organisms may include fungi and bacteria and play important roles individually in maintaining the pH levels (the acidic and alkaline balance) levels of the vagina. However, when one of these, especially the fungi go out of balance and begin to propagate, it results in a vaginal yeast infection.

Symptoms
A yeast infection or vaginal candidiasis is a fungal infection that causes extreme itchiness of the vulva (which is the opening of the vagina) and the further insides of the vagina as well. It may result in a white discharge from time to time and causes vaginal inflammation. Some of the other symptoms are:

1. Pain in the vagina akin to a burning sensation while urinating or when having sex
2. Rashes in the vagina
3. General soreness and pain
4. White odorless discharge, which is thick in consistency
5. Colorless watery discharges can occur as well
6. Swelling and redness near the vulva or the vagina in general

Causes
The type of fungi that causes vaginal yeast infections is the ‘candida fungus’. Usually, this fungus is present within the vagina, but is kept in check by the Lactobacillus bacteria. These are bacteria naturally present within the vagina and secrete acids, which keep the fungi in check. However, when the levels of bacteria are reduced, it will cause the levels of fungi to increase causing a yeast infection.

Risk Factors
The below mentioned factors can aggravate the risks of this disease:

1. Problems brought on by diabetes
2. A compromised immune system
3. Pregnancy may also disturb the balance
4. Starting to use or stopping the use of oral contraceptive pills
5. Hormone therapy
6. Usage of antibiotics that may kill off lactobacillus bacteria within the vagina

Generally, yeast infections are not considered to be sexually transmitted, although yeast infection could be spread through sexual contact as well.

The primary treatment includes a course of anti fungal oral medication to lessen the levels of the fungi within your vagina. It could be supplemented with vaginal creams, which may reduce the itching and the inflammation. If you have recurrent infection multiple times within a year, then you may have to go for a longer course of treatment and correct the underlying conditions that may be causing it. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a gynaecologist and ask a free question.