Abscess Summary An abscess is a pocket of pus. You can get an abscess almost anywhere in your body. When an area of your body becomes infected, your body’s immune system tries to fight the infection. White blood cells go to the infected area, collect within the damaged tissue, and cause inflammation. During this process, pus forms. Pus is a mixture of living and dead white blood cells, germs, and dead tissue. Bacteria, viruses, parasites and swallowed objects can all lead to abscesses. Skin abscesses are easy to detect. They are red, raised and painful. Abscesses inside your body may not be obvious and can damage organs, including the brain, lungs and others. Treatments include drainage and antibiotics. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Start Here Abscess Nemours Foundation Abscess Logical Images Array Abscess Abscess scan – radioactive Amebic liver abscess Anorectal abscess Bartholin cyst or abscess Brain abscess Epidural abscess Intra-abdominal abscess Pancreatic abscess Perirenal abscess Peritonsillar abscess Pilonidal cyst resection Pyogenic liver abscess Retropharyngeal abscess Skin abscess Subareolar abscess Tooth abscess Children Abscess Logical Images Specifics Abscess in the Lungs Merck & Co., Inc. Anal Abscess/Fistula American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Folliculitis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Peritonsillar Abscess American Academy of Family Physicians Encyclopedia Actinomycosis Brain herniation Pulmonary aspergilloma Skin lesion aspiration Spinal cord abscess WBC scan Related Issues Bartholin’s Gland Cyst American Academy of Family Physicians Hidradenitis Suppurativa American Osteopathic College of Dermatology Pilonidal Cyst Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Diagnosis and Tests CT Enterography Array MR Enterography Array Find an Expert National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Treatments and Therapies Percutaneous Abscess Drainage Radiological Society of North America Teenagers Peritonsillar Abscess Nemours Foundation Journal Articles Abscess
