Abscess is a bundle of tender mass feeling soft to touch. It is not like normal skin color and the color of the abscess varies from mild pink to dark pink and even red. Abscess contains a center region filled with pus like fluid. Abscess can be formed in any part of the body like tooth, arms, legs, and vagina and on your spine. Abscess is formed when the normal flow of sebaceous glands are obstructed and due to inflammation of hair follicles. Some other medical conditions can also cause an abscess. Abscess can be drained by removing the fluid inside it. If the doctor suspects any infection he would prescribe antibiotics.
Causes :
Sebum is the oily fluid secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin that keeps it soft and shining. If for any reason, the normal flow of the sebum is disturbed it accumulates to form an abscess. Abscess can be formed due to minor breaks or puncture or injury on the skin. Sometimes, germs can get into the skin causing an infection. The skin develops an abscess due to inflammation of the hair follicles.
An abscess contains a middle portion that is filled with debris, which is enveloped by a clear border pink in color. As more and more debris gets collected in the abscess it becomes inflamed and causes pain. People with weakened immunity, certain chronic disorders like diabetes, ulcers and certain medical conditions like cancer, leukemia, sickle cell disease, and peripheral vascular disorder have more chance for getting abscesses. A person who works in dirty environment and having more exposure to is at high risk of developing abscess. Poor body hygiene can also cause abscess.
Symptoms :
An abscess would be different from rest of the skin with soft compressible mass. The color of the abscess would be in varying degrees of pink or red. It would be warm to touch and can cause pain if there is infection. Bacteria would continue to build up on the abscess entering into the tissues developing inflammation of the skin. The middle of an abscess would contain pus. In severe cases abscess (with infection) can cause fever and discomfort.