Abscess
Abscess is a pocket of pus collection caused due to suppuration after
bacterial infection (mostly) or injury or foreign substances. It can occur
anywhere in the body, i.e., outer surface or inner deeper organs or tissues. A
boil or a pustule or a pimple in skin can be considered as small abscess.
Initially, it will start with tender swelling with throbbing pain and its fate
ends in draining of pus either inside or outside where the points are weak and
easily prone for a let out.
Incidences – Even though it
can occur in any part of the body, most commonly it occurs in and around the
armpits and around anus (in buttocks). It can also occur in the root of the
tooth, tonsils, liver, kidney, intestines, brain and spinal column. It is commonly
noted in persons with poor hygiene, diabetics, alcoholics and in allergic
personalities (with drug or food or irritants). Also it happens to crop up
often in auto-immune disorders like psoriasis, SLE and in cancers and also with
their treatment.
Types – Abscess can be classified as acute
and chronic depending upon the period of sufferings. Also it can be classified
as septic abscess and sterile abscess.
Septic abscess is caused by bacteria’s and the bacteria can be identified
with culture reports, whereas sterile abscess is caused by injury or injection
or foreign substances without bacterial invasion. The abscess can be localized
or become multiple (generalized) with blood contamination.
Pathophysiology – Normally,
abscess formation is a natural process in expelling the disease/foreign
substances from our body. It needs to get opened on its own or with surgical
intervention to expel the liquid contents. Initially, the infected or injured
part will be flooded with blood. This causes redness, swelling and heat on that
part. Increased blood supply also dilutes the toxins, supplies defense forces
(white blood cells, enzymes and antibodies) to the affected part and
nourishment to the inflamed part for better healing. Abscess finally makes
destruction/necrosis of the solid tissue around infective agent / bacteria /
foreign substance to form pus (yellow or green inflammatory liquid containing
digested / active germs, WBCs, cell debris, etc.), so that it can simply wash
out with the disease / foreign substances from our body. Normally, it will take
a week or two. Sometimes it can even persist for months and also be recurrent
in nature.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are:
Pain and sensitivity to touch. Pain will be mostly pricking in character.
Redness and warm swelling
Discharge of pus – when it opens
Fever with chill and body ache
Nearby lymph node enlargement
Even though all the abscesses feel warm due to increased blood circulation,
tubercular abscesses usually remain cold and so are called cold abscess which
need immediate critical care.
Causes – The most common causative factors are
Infection – Bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus), fungus,
viral, etc.
Injections and injuries including thorn pricks and insect bites
Diseases – diabetes, cancer and AIDS
Drugs and therapy (steroidal and chemotherapy)
Skin complaints – psoriasis, eczema, herpes, etc .
In all the cases, poor hygienic measures and negligence in taking treatment
account for the increased intensity of disease / suffering.
Diagnosis
The key symptoms, i.e., redness,
heat, swelling and pain, usually make diagnosis easy. Even though simple
physical examination is enough to diagnose the condition, persistent cases
often require routine blood tests and culture of the discharge. In suspected
cases, auto immune antibodies need to be analyzed.
Complication
Usually, abscess drains (either by natural or by surgical drainage) and
gets healed. If there is lack of care in letting out the pus and helping in the
healing, the chances for spread of infection through blood (septicaemia),
formation of sinus / fistula / gangrene may occur. Also, delayed wound healing
usually ends in scar formation with contractures and puckering. Above all,
rupture of abscess in deeper organs can threaten one’s life with the symptoms
of shock. Complications of most of cases are only due to negligence or because
of what is leftover.
Management and prevention – The secret lies in cleanliness and avoiding
bacteria or allergens.
Do’s
Keep infected area dry and clean
Give rest to part involved
Elevate the infected area to make good venous drain and for reduction of
pain
Apply warmth to comfort pain. Warmth usually enhances the blood
circulation, dilutes the infective agents and quickens the healing process.
Control sugar levels in case of diabetes
Take
Plenty of water to keep good body hydration
Fresh fruits and vegetables for healthy living
Supplements – Vitamins A, C and zinc for better healing
Avoid
Picking or peeling or pinching
Fatty/oily foods
Sugar
General
treatment and surgery
The first and foremost approach of the modern school of medicine is to
start with antibiotic treatment to arrest infection and its spread. Usually,
they follow antibiotics and allow some time for the abscess to get ripened before
doing I & D (incision and drainage). They also provide analgesics to reduce
pain and anti-pyretic to reduce fever. Then, depending upon the cause and
symptoms, they will try to eliminate the cause and make drain to switch off the
pain and symptoms. Proper diagnosis, proper drainage and proper hygienic care
will cure the abscess at the earliest. In some cases, even after surgical
drain, wound healing may be difficult (if wound is very deep).
Homeopathic
approach
Abscess usually takes a week to resolve
on its own. But, sometimes, abscess would become persistent and may be letting
out pus when it is not properly cared for with medical intervention. Beyond the
facts, even then with good care, some may develop recurrence which is more
vulnerable to spread of infection. Homeopathy, unlike other system of
medicines, doesn’t concentrate in just healing the spot, but it also aborts the
tendency to spread and recur. It will also enhance healing.
Homeopathy can play a vital role in curbing abscess as soon as it appears
and forcing it to get opened in later stages. There are many remedies in
Homeopathy like surgeon scalpel which can let out pus from abscess to expel
germs, foreign substance (thorn, etc.) at a faster rate. So, Homeopathy can
treat abscess harmlessly for keeping good harmony of health without much pain.
The earlier you treat, you get speedier and complete cure.
Homeopathic medicines commonly used in cases of abscess are Acid flour,
Acid nit, Aconite, Anthraxinum, Apis mel, Ars Alb, Bacillinum, Belladonna,
Bryonia, Calc Sulp, Nat sulp, Calc Flour, Echinacea, Hepar sulph, Kali bich,
Lachesis, Merc sol, Myristica, Pyrogen, Rhus tox, Silicea, Sulphur, Tarentula,
etc. These Medicines should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of a
qualified Homeopath.
for new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD (Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-984-319-1011 (Mob /
Whatsapp)
Clinic : +91-452-233-8833 |
E-mail: drcheena@gmail.com
(Disclaimer: The contents of this column are for informational purpose
only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional
healthcare advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare
professional for any health problem or medical condition.)