A Pt present in severe pain. The periapical area over the involved tooth is inflamed and swollen. The tooth is mobile and depressible in its socket with a diffused radiolucency. The diagnosis is:
a- Acute apical periodontitis.
b- Chronic apical periodontitis.
c- Acute exacerbation of chronic apical periodontitis.
d- Abscess.***
Among the most disgusting things that can leave our bodies, pus occupies, without a doubt, one of the top positions. Even the same word is disgusting! But, although pus seems disgusting, deep down, it is the body's way of trying to cure infections.
Fortunately, we don't usually have to deal with pus. But, sometimes, people develop abscesses and suddenly find themselves in the pus.
What is an abscess?
An abscess is an area of infected tissue that forms in a part of the body. An abscess may appear on the skin, under the skin, on a tooth or even inside the body.
In the upper layer of the skin, an abscess may resemble an unhealed wound, a pimple or a pimple. Under the skin, you can create a swollen lump that sticks out. Skin abscesses can hurt and feel hot to the touch.
It is easier to know if a person has an abscess in the skin because they can be seen and touched. But, when someone develops an abscess in another part of the body, there will also be other clues that something is wrong. For example, when an abscess forms in a tooth, pain is felt, even if it cannot be seen.
Causes of abscesses:
Abscesses can form whenever the body is fighting an infection. For example, an abscess in the skin may appear when germs enter the body through an opening in the skin (such as a cut, an insect bite or a burn).
Germs are not part of a healthy body, and the immune system knows it: the function of this system is precisely to be aware of any infection. After finding out that something is wrong, the immune system sends the troops (also known as white blood cells) to destroy what is causing the infection. Some of these white blood cells will eventually form pus, which also includes material such as dead skin and dead germs.
With all these unpleasant substances inside it, the body considers pus as a waste material and tries to get rid of it. But, when pus accumulates inside an abscess, you may not be able to get out. As pus accumulates, it can press on the surrounding skin and inflamed tissue and cause pain.
Some abscesses are caused by an irritant, such as an injected medication that has not been completely absorbed. Since they are not caused by an infection, these types of abscesses are called "sterile" abscesses. Sterile abscesses are not as frequent as infected abscesses, but they can occur occasionally.
What do I do if I think I have an abscess?
If you think you have an abscess on the skin, avoid touching it, squeezing it, squeezing it or bursting it. If you did, you could spread the infection to other areas or spread it to deeper parts of the body, making the situation worse.
Try placing a warm compress on the abscess to see if you can get the pus to open and drain. You can make a compress by soaking a cloth or wipe in warm (not hot) water and placing it on the abscess for several minutes. Do this several times a day, and wash your hands well before and after applying the compress.
If the abscess opens itself, it starts to eliminate fluids and the infection seems to subside within a couple of days, the body should heal on its own. If I didn't, that would be the time to call your doctor's office.
If you have a toothache and suspect that you might have an infection, call your dentist.
When should I call the doctor?
Abscesses usually require medical attention. If you observe any of the following problems, call your doctor:
An abscess in the skin becomes more painful, becomes more inflamed and / or redder.
Red marks or stripes appear around the infected skin area.
You feel pain or discomfort inside the body.
You have a fever or chills.
If the doctor thinks you have an abscess, he will decide if it is necessary to have it drain or if it can be treated in another way, such as by giving yourself antibiotics.
What should doctors do?
If it is necessary to drain the abscess, the doctor will decide whether it is better to remove the pus using a needle (a procedure called "aspiration") or make a small cut in the abscess with a scalpel, so that the pus can come out.
To treat a skin abscess, the doctor will most likely use anesthetic medication before draining it so that the process is not painful. Once the doctor has drained the abscess, he will cover it with gauze. The gauze will absorb the fluid that comes out of it and help the abscess to heal.
An abscess that is found in the depths of the body may require an operation. This may mean having to stay in the hospital for some time so that doctors and nurses can be sure that the abscess heals well.
What should you do when you return home?
Your doctor will instruct you on how to take care of the abscess so that it heals well. Your doctor may also tell you to avoid doing some specific activities until your abscess is cured. You may need to take antibiotics and that you (or your parents' lucky ones!) Should (or should) change the bandage regularly.
If the doctor prescribes antibiotics, the complete treatment cycle ends, even if you start to find yourself better.
If you have a skin abscess, take steps to avoid spreading the infection to other people. Do not share anything with others that has been in contact with your abscess (such as towels, cloths, components of your sports equipment or shavers).
Even after visiting the doctor, you should continue to be aware of your abscess. Tell your doctor immediately if your abscess worsens, or if you have a fever or chills.
If you have a skin abscess, your doctor may send you tests to find out if you have a MRSA infection, a type of bacteria that can cause serious skin infections. MRSA infections should be treated in a special way because they are resistant to many types of antibiotics.
Can they be prevented?
Good personal hygiene is the best way to avoid infections. Keep cuts and wounds clean, dry and covered to protect you from germs. Also, do not share clothing, towels, razors or bedding with anyone. When any of these items get dirty, wash them separately with very hot water.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds in a row at a time. It is okay to use hand wipes or instant disinfectant gels made with alcohol (such as those sold in pharmacies), if you do not have soap or water.
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Endodontics