What Causes Abscesses?

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Abscesses may be caused by many different bacteria, fungi, or protozoans, which are kinds of disease-causing microbes. Abscesses result from infections that are or become localized or confined to one part of the body, as opposed to infections that spread throughout the body.

External abscesses

Boils and carbuncles are common among teenagers, but virtually everyone gets them at some time. They are called external abscesses because they form on the surface of the body. They are quite similar to each other. The main difference is that carbuncles have a number of core areas where the pus forms, while boils have a single core at their center. Thus carbuncles may resemble a cluster of interconnected boils.

^*pus is a thick, creamy fluid, usually yellow or greenish in color, that forms at the site of an infection.

^*microbes and microorganisms are small organisms that can cause disease and that can usually be seen only under a microscope, They include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi.

^*follicles are tiny pits in the skin from which hair grows.

External abscesses commonly occur on the back of the neck or on the face. They also frequently form on moist parts of the body, such as the armpit or groin. Abscesses in hair follicles^* may result in a condition called folliculitis (fo-lik-u-LY-tis). An abscess at the base of an eyelash, which is a special type of follicle, is called a sty.

Dental abscesses

A dental abscess or gumboil is an accumulation of pus in the gums or jaw tissues surrounding a tooth. It is usually formed as a result of infection by bacteria. A common contributing cause is dental decay, which is why regular dental checkups are important. Dental abscesses may also result from injuries such as a fracture in the tooth. If the cause is a dental cavity, the infection begins when the bacteria enter the pulp^* portion inside the tooth. At this point, the condition is known as pulpitis (pul-PY-tis). An abscess on the gum is formed as the infection spreads from the pulp of the tooth.

Internal abscesses

Abscesses may form in any organ or cavity of the body. There are many different kinds, and they may be caused by any of a variety of microorganisms. All abscesses occurring in the internal organs require medical attention.

• In the abdomen, abscesses may result from infections of the gall bladder, liver, kidney, intestine, or pelvic organs in women. They may also be a complication of abdominal surgery.
• An abscess that forms due to obstruction of the appendix is called appendicitis (a-pen-di-SY-tis), which usually causes severe pain in the lower right part of the abdomen. Doctors usually recommend surgery (appendectomy) to remove the appendix immediately. Otherwise the appendix may burst, causing the infection to spread through the abdominal cavity.
• In the lungs, abscesses may be a complication of pneumonia.
• In the throat, peritonsillar (per-i-TON-si-lar) abscess may result from the spread of tonsillitis, infection of the tonsils^*. Peritonsillar abscess occurs frequently in young adults.
• Abscesses may also occur in the brain and in other organs of the body.

^*pulp is the sensitive area deep inside the central part of the tooth, where the nerves and blood vessels are located.

^*tonsils are paired clusters of lymph tissues in the throat. They help protect the body from bacteria or viruses that enter through a person's nose or mouth