ABSCESS PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT

How can infections be prevented?  Encourage injecting in sites far from the abscess area (at least 12 inches away from the abscess site) till the abscess is healed  There may be need to cover the abscess area with a clean dressing to prevent it from being brushed against  If the abscess is discharging pus or other fluids it will require a daily dressing  Clean the area with water or saline and apply a clean gauze dressing  Antibiotics may be required for curing abscesses  Encourage early reporting of complications, such as increase in abscess size, black tissue around the area (necrosis) or increase in pain  Sometimes, the patient may have to be referred to a bigger hospital for management of complicated cases

Steps in Care of Abscesses

Few Main Precautions to Take

Stages of Abscess Formation  Stage 1: May start off as a lump at the injection site

Contd.  Stage 2: Localized redness appears

Contd.  Stage 3: Soft swelling appears  Stage 4: The area becomes tender

Contd.  Stage 5: A fever may or may not develop

Contd.  Stage 6: The abscess may go on to increase in size and discharge pus

Contd.  Stage 7: An abscess may go on to progress to an open wound called an ulcer