Skin nontumor
Neutrophilic and eosinophilic dermatoses
Abscess
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Last staff update: 3 November 2023
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PubMed Search: Skin abscess
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Essential features | Terminology | Epidemiology | Etiology | Clinical features | Treatment | Case reports | Clinical images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Positive stains | Additional referencesCite this page: Soni A, Slominski A. Abscess. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/skinnontumorabscess.html. Accessed April 23rd, 2024.
Definition / general
- Latin: abscessus
- Skin abscess represents a localized collection of pus that generally develops in response to infection or to the presence of other foreign materials under the skin; formed by tissue disintegration and surrounded by an inflamed area
Essential features
- Destruction of tissue
- Addition of fibrin and neutrophils
Terminology
- Skin abscesses are often referred to as boils
Epidemiology
- Develops in patients of all age groups
Etiology
- Typically caused by either an inflammatory reaction to an infectious process (bacteria or parasite) or, less commonly, to a foreign substance within the body (a needle or a splinter, for example)
- Abscesses may develop because of obstructed oil (sebaceous) or sweat glands, inflammation of hair follicles, or from minor breaks and punctures of the skin; abscesses may also develop after a surgical procedure
- Most common bacterial organism is Staphylococcus aureus, although various other organisms can also lead to abscess formation
Clinical features
- An abscess is typically painful, and it appears as a warm, swollen area
- Hospitalizations for skin abscesses may be increasing (Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2011;31:93)
- Skin surrounding an abscess typically appears pink / red
- Middle is filled with pus and debris
Treatment
- Antibiotics alone will not typically cure a skin abscess
- In general, abscesses must be opened and drained to start healing process
Case reports
- Male breast abscess secondary to actinomycosis (J Clin Diagn Res 2016;10:TD05)
- Subungual abscess caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis (Cutis 2013;92:125)
- Skin abscess due to Seratia marcescens in an immunocompetent patient after receiving a tattoo (Case Rep Infect Dis 2015;2015:626917)
Clinical images
Images hosted on other servers:
Abscess
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Cavity usually located on the dermis containing inflammatory infiltrate with abundant neutrophils and necrotic debris
- Cavity is usually surrounded by inflammatory infiltrate
- There is also subepidermal edema
Positive stains
- Gram positive or negative if of bacterial origin
