Patient education: Skin abscess drainage – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is a skin abscess? — A skin abscess is a painful bump that forms when pus collects under the skin (picture 1). It looks similar to a pimple, but it is usually much larger. Skin abscesses often form when there is a cut or nick in the skin that allows bacteria from the skin's surface to get in. Less often, it might be caused by another type of germ, like a virus, fungus, or parasite.

To treat a skin abscess, a doctor or nurse makes a small cut on the surface of the abscess to drain out the pus. This procedure is called an "incision and drainage." In some cases, they use a needle to drain the pus instead.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

If you received sedatives to help you relax during the procedure, you will get instructions for how to take care of yourself.

You should also:

●Take all of your medicines as instructed – In some cases, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic medicine. Antibiotics help kill the bacteria that caused the abscess and keep the skin from getting infected again. But they are not always needed. If you get antibiotics, finish all of the medicine and take it exactly as instructed. Never skip doses or stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor or nurse.

●Keep your incision covered with clean, dry gauze.

●Always wash your hands before and after you touch your abscess or bandage.

●If you don't have a drain or packing in place, you can soak the abscess – To do this, remove the gauze covering the abscess. Soak the abscess in warm, soapy water for 10 minutes at a time, 3 times a day. If the area is difficult to soak, you can apply a warm, wet washcloth to the area instead. After you finish soaking the abscess, carefully pat the area dry with a clean towel. Cover the abscess again with another piece of clean, dry gauze.

●Check for signs of infection – These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, more redness around the abscess, or the abscess getting bigger.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will often want to see you after your procedure. Usually, they will want you to come in 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, and then again in 7 to 10 days. This is to make sure that your abscess is healing properly. Go to these appointments.

●If your abscess was packed with gauze, the doctor or nurse will remove the gauze during your first follow-up appointment if enough pus has drained out. If more pus needs to drain, they will change the packing.

●If you have a drain in place, your doctor or nurse will check it during your first follow-up appointment. If enough pus has drained out, they will remove the drain. If you have stitches holding it in place, the doctor or nurse will remove those, too. Some stitches absorb on their own and do not need to be removed.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You have signs that your infection is getting worse – These can include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, more redness around the abscess, redness or swelling that is moving up your arm or leg, or the abscess getting bigger.

●Your gauze packing comes out, unless your doctor said that this is OK.

●The drain comes out of your abscess.

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