Introduction
An arm abscess is a tender mass containing pus, bacteria, and debris that may appear pink to deep red. The majority of abscesses are due to infections. They can appear anywhere on the body. They can be harmless but, in some cases, require medical attention.
What Are the Types of Abscesses?
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Skin abscess on the armpit, breast, and rectum.
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Abscesses in the mouth include gingival, periapical, periodontal, peritonsillar, tonsillar, and retropharyngeal abscesses.
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Internal abscesses include abdominal, spinal cord, and brain abscesses.
What Are the Causes of Arm Abscess?
Arm abscess is a skin condition most commonly due to bacterial infection. The bacteria enter the skin through an open wound, hair follicle, or any cut to the skin. In addition, they may be found around a foreign substance like a piece of glass that may be found stuck in the skin. The bacteria that cause abscesses are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The other organisms causing skin abscesses are anaerobic bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.
How Does an Abscess Form?
When the bacteria enter the body, the white blood cells fight the infection. This causes inflammation and causes lysis of the nearby tissues. During this process, a pocket forms and fills with pus forming an abscess.
What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Skin Abscesses?
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Smoking.
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Diabetes.
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Chemotherapy.
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Immunocompromised individuals.
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Kidney failure individuals are undergoing dialysis.
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Individuals under intravenous administration of drugs.
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Severe burns.
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Severe trauma.
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Alcoholism.
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Peripheral vascular disease.
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Ulcerative colitis.
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Sickle cell disease.
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The individual is in close contact with the infected patient.
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Eczema.
What Are the Symptoms of Arm Abscess?
The abscess may be raised, red, and swollen. The skin over the bump is thin and may look yellow if there is pus underneath the swelling. They can also have a pinpoint opening at the center of the swelling. They may feel tender and warm to the touch. The person may have fever, pain, and chills due to the infection. Individuals with abscesses can also present with fatigue, pain, tenderness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and excess sweating.
How to Diagnose Arm Abscess?
The abscess can be diagnosed by physical examination. The inspection of the abscess and getting to know the symptoms would help. The pus sample is taken for testing. The type of organism causing the abscess can be identified using the sample. This allows the doctor to decide the course of treatment. However, internal abscesses are harder to diagnose. There are specific other tests required, such as:
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Ultrasound: It is a medical imaging test that uses sound waves to visualize the internal organs.
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Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: It uses X-rays to create images of the cross-section of the body.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): It uses radio waves to visualize the internal organs of the body.
How to Manage Arm Abscess?
Incision and Drainage: The area around the abscess is numbed with a local anesthetic. The site is covered with an antiseptic solution, and sterile towels are placed. The abscess is cut open with a scalpel, and the pus is drained. Multiple pockets of pus are identified and drained. Once the abscess is drained completely, the area is packed to minimize bleeding, and the site is kept open for the remaining pus to drain. A bandage is then placed over the pack. After-care instructions are given to the patient, and medication is prescribed for pain depending on the site, size, and extent of the abscess. Antibiotics such as Trimethoprim, Azithromycin, and Cephalexin are prescribed depending on the individual's location and immune condition.
How to Self-Care for an Abscess at Home?
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If the abscess is less than one centimeter, a warm compress can be applied over the area for about 30 minutes four times a day.
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Do not drain the abscess by pressing or squeezing the abscess. This can cause the material to penetrate the deeper tissues.
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Do not place a needle or other sharp objects over the abscess, as they tend to injure the blood vessels or may spread the infection.
How to Take Care After Treatment of the Abscess?
If the abscess is drained, it is good to assess the wound daily. Then, the wound has to be repacked with the doctor’s precautions. The dressing has to be changed whenever needed. The wound drainage should be stopped within two days, and the abscess should heal entirely within two weeks.
What Are the Complications of Arm Abscess?
If the abscess is left untreated, the infected abscess can spread to the bloodstream and lymph nodes leading to life-threatening complications. The untreated abscess can also lead to gangrene. They may also lead to:
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Fever and swollen lymph nodes.
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Development of multiple abscesses.
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Acute bone infection.
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Sepsis.
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Endocarditis affects the inner lining of the heart.
How to Prevent Arm Abscess?
The abscess can be prevented by:
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Practicing personal hygiene like washing hands.
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Avoid using shared equipment such as towels to inhibit the transmission of infection.
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Disposing of the bandages properly.
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Shaving carefully to prevent cuts on the skin.
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Following a healthy diet.
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Quitting smoking habit.
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Maintaining proper weight.
When to Consult a Doctor?
The individual should consult a doctor if:
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They have signs of a severe infection causing fever, redness, swelling, and increased pain.
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They experience a recurrence of abscesses.
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They are immunocompromised.
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They are under steroid therapy.
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They have chronic infections like diabetes.
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They have received an organ transplant.
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They are pregnant or lactating.
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They have a foreign material attached to the skin.
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The abscess is larger than one centimeter.
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The abscess is painful and fails to heal.
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The abscess has a spreading streak on the skin.
Conclusion
Most skin abscesses need not be worried about, but some require medical attention. A small abscess can be treated at home. However, large and infected abscesses require a doctor’s attention. And it is recommended to treat abscesses to prevent severe life-threatening complications.
