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ABSCESS - An Abscess is a collection of pus caused by an infection.
The ordinary (or pyogenic) abscess may be found in any tissue of the body: in the center of the bone, in the appendix, in the lymh glands, in infected gum tissue around the teeth, and so forth. For all pyogenic abscesses located near the surface of the body, the symptoms are the same: pain, tenderness, and a mass with a red, firm surface and soft center. The temperature and white blood count are usually elevated.
A COLD ABSCESS is a non-tender swelling without fever.
FOLLICULITIS is the presence of pustules in the hair follicles.
BOILS and CARBUNCLES are quite painful localized abscesses that form in the skin and underlying tissues, usually as a result of infection that has gained entry by traveling down into the hair follicles.
Other minor infections are caused by surface wounds to the body. One modern source is the increasingly popular body piercing.
CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT - Pyogenic abscesses containing pus are opened and drained, usually under general anesthesia. Carbuncles and boils are also opened when the presence of pus is demonstrated, but cold abscesses are aspirated (removed by suction), since there is a danger of secondary infection if they are opened. To rout out infection, antibiotics are usually prescribed.
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