• Reference Number: HEY1651/2026
• Departments: Colorectal Surgery, Endoscopy, Gastroenterology, Upper GI, Upper GI Endoscopy
• Last Updated: 24 July 2026

Introduction

This leaflet provides general information about the treatment of a skin abscess. It aims to answer common questions and help you understand what to expect. It does not replace discussion with your doctor. If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of your healthcare team.

What is a skin abscess?

A skin abscess is a collection of pus beneath the surface of the skin caused by bacterial infection. It develops when bacteria from either the skin surface or adjacent lower gastrointestinal tract (for example the anal canal) enter and become trapped in the soft tissue beneath the skin leading to inflammation and a build-up of pus. Pus is made up of our white blood cells that have built up to kill and engulf the bacteria, but when this is trapped beneath the skin it causes a build up of pressure and leads to infection becoming resistant to antibiotics because it cannot drain.

Symptoms may include a painful swelling, redness, warmth, visible pus, and feeling unwell with a temperature. Abscesses can occur anywhere on the skin but are commonly seen in the armpit (axilla), groin, buttocks, and around the anal canal.

Why do I need incision and drainage?

An incision is usually required to drain the pus and often needs to be left open to ensure it completely resolves and does not build up again. This can often be helped by the use of packing dressing material. Without treatment, the infection may get worse. While some small abscesses may settle with antibiotics or partially drain on their own or temporarily improve using a needle, formal draining of the pus requires a minor procedure for effective treatment.

Can there be any complications or risks?

The procedure is generally safe, but risks include bleeding, pain, infection, recurrence, scarring, and allergic reaction to anaesthetic.

If the abscess is near the anal canal, there is a risk that you may have already developed a fistula (a specific complication where there is a communication between the lining of the anal canal and the collection of pus) which may need further treatment. There is also a small risk of blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) if the procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.

How do I prepare for the procedure?

Continue regular medication unless advised otherwise. Inform your doctor if you take blood thinners.

If having a general anaesthetic, you will need to be fasted. If under local anaesthetic, you can usually eat and drink normally. You will be asked to provide written consent before the procedure.

What will happen?

The procedure takes place in a treatment room or theatre. The skin is cleaned. Local or general anaesthetic will be used. If the procedure is done with local anaesthetic, the skin above and around the abscess might feel numb. A small cut is made over the numb skin to drain the pus, the cavity is cleaned, and the wound is left open to heal sometimes with a packing material to keep the skin edges open to prevent infection re-collecting. A dressing is applied. The procedure usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.

What happens afterwards?

You will be monitored briefly, and most patients go home the same day. If you had a general anaesthetic, you would need someone to take you home.

Pain usually improves rapidly after drainage. Dressings may need regular changes, often by your GP. Healing usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. A high-fibre diet may be advised if the abscess was near the anal canal. An extended course of antibiotics are occasionally required in more severe infections but often not needed once the pus is drained.

Most patients do not need routine follow-up, but this will be arranged if required.

Seek medical advice if you develop worsening pain, redness, fever, discharge, or delayed healing.

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact the Surgical Assessment Unit on Tel: 01482 875875.

General Advice and Consent

Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.

Consent to treatment

Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.

The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:

• you must be able to give your consent
• you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
• you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person

Information about you

We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.

We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.

If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.