Anal Abscess Infection - Medtick
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Anal Abscess Infection

What is it?

An anal abscess is a painful condition in which a collection of pus develops near the anus.

  • Most anal abscesses are a result of infection from small anal glands.
  • The most common being the perianal abscess.
    • This often appears as a painful boil-like swelling near the anus.
    • It may be red in color and warm to the touch.
    • Anal abscesses located in deeper tissue are less common and may be less visible.

WebMD

Cause

Risk factors include:

Medications

Symptoms

  • High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills, longer than 72 hours?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Pain, which is usually constant, throbbing, and worse when sitting down?
  • Skin irritation around the anus, including swelling, redness, and tenderness?
  • Discharge of pus?
  • Pain associated with bowel movements and/or constipation?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

General tips

  • Do not squeeze or pick at anal pimples/boils.
  • A few basic hygiene steps may help to solve reduce the boil/pimple:
    • Wipe thoroughly after every bowel movement.
    • Clean your anus and buttocks with  antibacterial soap and water when bathing and showering and and dry thoroughly.
    • Do not share towel, flannels and utensils or sports equipment
    • Wear clean cotton underwear, which tends to breathe more than other fabrics.
    • Remove wet underwear, bathing suit, or other clothes as soon as possible.
    • Do not wear tight clothing where sweat and heat can build up.
    • Avoid moist areas i.e. swimming pools and gyms.
    • Wash hands using an antibacterial soap.
    • Wash clothing, bed linen and towels at high temperature.
    • Do not scratch skin/pick it can spread the infection.

This condition can be confused or show similar symptoms to:

  • Pilonidal cyst– starts as a small sac or pocket of skin that has become clogged with oil and skin debris.
    • If it becomes infected, a pilonidal cyst can become a painful abscess.
  • Anal warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease.
    • Anal warts differ significantly from pimples in that warts start out very small and can grow to be large (cauliflower-like appearance as they grow, or when several are clustered together) possibly covering much of the anus.
    • they can also develop in the throat and genital regions
  • Molluscum contagiosum
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Inflammatory bowel disease:
  • Diverticulitis
  • Rectal cancer

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

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