Perianal abscess: symptoms, causes, to treatment

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Definition

What is a perianal abscess?

Perianal abscess is a condition in which the rectal cavity fills with pus and pus appears around the anus. The rectum is the last part of the large intestine where stool is stored before it is passed through the anus.

When the rectum and anal mucous glands become infected, small holes will form in the rectal cavity and fill with pus.

These pus-filled cavities are called abscesses and if they appear around the anus, they will cause perianal abscesses.

How common is this condition?

This condition is common. This disease is more common in men than women. This disease can occur in patients of any age.

This disease can be prevented by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a perianal abscess?

The signs and symptoms of this disease are mainly a throbbing feeling in the rectum and getting worse when moving or stretching.

Quoted from Web MD, the symptoms of perianal abscess are:

• When touched, the bumps will usually be soft, red, and warm.
• Pain, which is usually constant
• Skin irritation around the anus, including swelling, redness, and pain
• Fester
• Constipation or painful bowel movements

Other symptoms include fever, chills and discomfort. Sometimes the rectum can feel hot, painful and swollen.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

If you have a high fever (more than 38 ℃), chills, persistent vomiting, constipation, or extreme rectal pain (with or without bowel movements), don't delay your time to seek emergency help.

These extreme symptoms may indicate an infection that has spread from the abscess site to the bloodstream.

Cause

What causes perianal abscess?

The common cause of this disease is bacteria from the anus that spread to the area around the rectum and cause inflammation. Most of these bacteria live in the large intestine or live in the skin near the anus.

In addition, this disease can also be caused by infected anal sores, sexually transmitted infections, or intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease and colon diverticulitis.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for a perianal abscess?

Certain factors increase your risk of developing a perianal abscess, namely:

• Anal sex
• Diabetes
• Inflammation of the intestine (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Use of corticosteroid drugs
• A weakened immune system (such as due to HIV / AIDS)
• This disease can occur in infants or young children and adults with a history of injury to the anus.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for a perianal abscess?

The main treatment that can be done for a perianal abscess is surgery to open and suck the abscess. In most cases, the patient will be outpatient, which means you can go home after surgery.

If the abscess is too deep, the doctor will ask the patient to be hospitalized until the abscess is completely drained of pus.

Patients often experience pain after surgery and the pain can be relieved by sitting in warm water 3-4 times per day and using painkillers.

Stool softeners are used to prevent and treat constipation. Patients can use antibiotics to relieve symptoms that appear. However, this method of treatment is not a substitute for surgery and removal of an abscess.

Postoperative complications can occur, such as unfinished recovery, recurrence of abscesses, and fistula formation. The presence of a wound makes the anal glands swell. The hole usually forms within 4 to 6 weeks after the abscess is removed and surgery is required.

What are the usual tests for this condition?

Your doctor will diagnose an anal abscess based on your medical history and symptoms. Then the doctor can examine your rectum to confirm the diagnosis and colonoscopy for other conditions.

Usually, a clinical evaluation, including a digital rectal examination, is sufficient to diagnose a rectal abscess. However, you may need additional tests to screen for:

• Sexually transmitted infections
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Diverticular disease
• Anal cancer

In some rare cases, the doctor may perform a CT scan, MRI or ultrasound to confirm the location of the abscess.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat a perianal abscess?

You have to do medication. Untreated perianal abscess can spread to other tissues and make the condition worse.

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat perianal abscess:

• Call your doctor if you have anal pain with fever.
• Call your doctor if you see pus discharge in your rectum or anus.
• Call your doctor if you have prolonged discharge at the operated site, have a fever, or are sore after the surgery.
• Relieve pain after surgery by sitting in warm water 3-4 times a day and taking pain relievers.

Prevention

How to prevent perianal abscess?

Not much is known about how to prevent this condition. However, there are steps you can take, including:

• Protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and take immediate care, whatever infection you experience.
• Using a condom is key in preventing the STIs that can cause this condition.
• Cleanliness in the anal area is an important protection for both children and adults.

Perianal abscesses can cause complications, but they are treatable. If you have anal problems, contact your doctor to get treatment and prevent them from getting worse.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.