Frequently Asked Questions

You can have a skin abscess anywhere on the body. The most common places are on your arms or legs, back, stomach, armpits, in your groin or on your buttocks.

Most abscesses need to be drained and sometimes your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Small abscesses can sometimes be treated with a warm soak and antibiotics.

You should see your doctor as soon as you can. Abscess care is easier with a smaller abscess. If you believe you have a skin abscess, see your doctor as soon as possible.

The older way of treating an abscess is called I&D. Patients rank I&D treatment as the second most painful treatment in the ER. Quickloop reduces the pain during and after the treatment. Your doctor will numb the area of the abscess with a cream or small shots of medicine. Sometimes the doctor will sedate the patient. This is a technique that is used to calm the patient and ease the pain. Sedation is often used for children.

Abscesses sometimes come back at the same place, or at another place. If the abscess comes back, see your doctor.

You should ask about anything that concerns you. Some common things patients ask about are:

• Treatment options
• How the doctor is going to help reduce my pain
• How to keep the infection from spreading or coming back
• If medicine is needed after the treatment
• If I get sedated, how long it will be until I can drive or return to work or school
• What I need to do at home
• If I need to return to the doctor

For the I&D procedure:

• Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. These may include:
  • Use warm compresses several times a day
  • Take all medicines as directed
  • Change the bandage
• If the abscess was packed with gauze:
  • Keep follow-up appointments to have the gauze changed or removed
  • After the gauze is removed, soaking the area in warm water several times a day, until the wound closes

For the Quickloop procedure:

• Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. These may include:
  • Change the bandage several times a day
  • Move the tube back and forth when you change the bandage
  • In the first few days, some doctors may ask you to attach a syringe to the tube to flush the wound

• Your doctor will tell you if you need to return
  • Some doctors will tell you how to remove Quickloop at home

Call your doctor or seek immediate medical care if:

• The infection gets worse. Watch out for:
  • Increased pain
  • Swelling
  • Warmth
  • Redness or red streaks leading from the infected skin
  • Fever

• Watch closely for changes in your health. Contact your doctor if you do not get better.