What should not be eaten with a perianal abscess?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on March 25, 2025
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During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, it is not advised to consume overly spicy and stimulating foods, drink alcohol, or eat much lamb, seafood, and other aggravating items. This is because a perianal abscess is a local infectious disease around the anus. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo surgery as soon as possible during an outbreak to prevent the spread of the abscess and increase the difficulty of treatment later. The surgical methods mainly include incision and drainage and one-time radical surgery. However, when there is a local fistula or changes in the sphincter, a fistulotomy with seton placement can also be chosen. Post-surgery, it is crucial to pay attention to the local wound drainage and dressing changes, which are very important for wound healing. It is essential to ensure proper drainage and thorough dressing changes to avoid pseudohealing or recurrent infection of the wound.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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How many days is the hospital stay for perianal abscess surgery?

After surgery for a perianal abscess, due to the presence of a local wound and the significant discharge from the wound in the early postoperative period, combined with the potential fall of ligatures or elastic bands at the area, a hospital stay of approximately two weeks is required. For severe cases or those with deeper abscess cavities, a hospital stay of three weeks or even a month might be necessary. The main purpose of the hospital stay post-surgery is to monitor for any major bleeding from the wound, and to facilitate dressing changes. Postoperative dressing changes for a perianal abscess wound are crucial for recovery, as only thorough daily disinfection and dressing changes can ensure uniform granulation and growth of local tissues, prevent the enclosure of pus within the local cavity leading to pseudohealing or reinfection, and thus affect the treatment outcome of the surgery. Approximately one month after surgery, regular follow-up visits are required to monitor the healing of the local wound.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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How to treat recurrent perianal abscess?

If a perianal abscess has already been treated surgically, it is necessary to develop good dietary and bowel habits postoperatively to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. However, recurrence may still occur due to poor diet and bowel habits of the patient. If there is pain or discomfort at the site of the local wound of the perianal abscess, it is advisable to go to the hospital as soon as possible for an anal examination and perianal ultrasound to confirm if it has recurred. If it is confirmed to have recurred, early surgical treatment is necessary to prevent further expansion of the local infection focus or aggravation of the infection, which would increase the difficulty of treatment later.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can I eat eggs with a perianal abscess?

Patients with perianal abscess can eat eggs, but during the acute onset period of a perianal abscess, besides sticking to a light diet, it is more important to seek surgical treatment as soon as possible. A perianal abscess is an acute infectious disease near the anal sinuses. Typically, it presents with severe local pain in the anus. Once pus forms, it is encapsulated in the abscess cavity and needs to be surgically drained as soon as possible to remove the infection thoroughly. This helps to prevent further enlargement of the abscess cavity and worsening of the condition. Furthermore, in the early postoperative period, patients can consume liquid foods and eat eggs in moderation or other easily digestible foods. However, they should avoid spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers and seafood.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can an anal abscess be left untreated without surgery?

Surgical treatment is required during the acute phase of a perianal abscess. If surgery is not performed, it could lead to an expansion of the abscess cavity or worsening of the infection. Severe cases may lead to a local cellulitis around the anus, forming an inflammation of the cellular tissue. The surgical approach for a perianal abscess primarily involves incision and drainage, complemented by a one-time radical cure. The surgical principle mainly involves excising the infected local lesions altogether, thoroughly disinfecting and dressing the area, accelerating the shedding of the local infection, and ensuring normal growth of granulation tissue. Postoperative dressing changes are also crucial for the recovery from a perianal abscess.

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Written by He Cai Dong
Colorectal Surgery Department
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How to change dressings for perianal abscess during menstruation?

Dressing changes during menstruation for perianal abscesses require cleansing with warm water after defecation. Sitz baths are not recommended as they may lead to gynecological infections. After thoroughly cleaning the area, it can be wiped with iodine. A hemorrhoid suppository should then be inserted into the anus, and hemorrhoid cream or an anti-inflammatory ointment can be applied to the wound. Covering with a piece of gauze can have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Secure it with adhesive tape, and decide the frequency of dressing changes based on the amount of wound excretion. If there is a lot of excretion, it is advised to change the dressing twice a day, in the morning and evening. If the excretion is minimal and there is no feeling of moisture or discomfort, changing the dressing once a day after defecation is sufficient. At the same time, pay attention to a light diet.