Abscesses Treatment at Insight Urgent Care on Westheimer Rd in Houston, TX

Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria are the most common cause of abscesses; in the majority of cases, these bacteria are the cause of abscesses under the skin. Abscesses can form due to various conditions, but they are most commonly caused by the presence of a foreign substance in the body, such as a splinter or needle, or by an inflammatory reaction to bacteria or parasites.

The actual cause of an abscess is largely determined by its original location; for example, abscesses near the large bowel, particularly around the opening (anus), can be caused by any of the multitudes of bacteria present in and around the area. Furthermore, brain and liver abscesses can be caused by an organism capable of traveling through circulation, including bacteria, amoebae, and some fungi. Lastly, constant touching at the site of injury can also cause an abscess.

There are certain risk factors involved when it comes to the development of abscesses; these include:

• Unsterile Environment — If an area that was injured or wounded is unsanitary, including poor personal hygiene and constant touching, it is more prone to abscess development.

• Intravenous Drug Use — Injecting drugs with a needle can irritate the skin and run the risk of introducing bacteria and/or foreign objects into the skin; this can result in the formation of an abscess.

• Surgery — When surgical instruments are not properly sterilized, incisions can cause abscesses in some cases. While this is a rare occurrence, the possibility cannot be ruled out.

• Parasites — Amoeba, ticks, or other microscopic parasites can, on rare occasions, infiltrate the body and introduce bacteria into the skin, resulting in the formation of an abscess.

The time that an abscess lasts is different in every situation and depends on a number of factors unique to each individual, including:

• The location of the abscess
• The size of the abscess
• The severity of the abscess
• How long the abscess has been present
• The cause of the abscess
• The treatments used
• The patient’s overall health
• The patient’s personal hygiene

Because there are so many factors involved, the duration of an abscess can vary significantly. In most cases, an abscess takes about one to two weeks to heal with the proper treatment and sanitary measures.

An abscess can be identified from its characteristic appearance: it forms as a red, compressible mass that is painful, warm to the touch, and tender. Signs to look out for include:

• A light-colored translucent tip from where the material inside can be seen
• An infection that spreads to the tissues under the skin; it can even spread into the bloodstream, causing a system-wide infection
• Fever and feelings of illness, especially if the infection spreads into deeper tissue

Call us today to check In Online or visit our clinic conveniently located at 13421 Westheimer Road, Suite D, Houston, TX 77077. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Houston TX, Briar Forest, Hedwig Village, Spring Branch West, Energy Corridor, Westchase, Bellaire, Alief, Cinco Ranch, Katy TX and surrounding areas!