Can a perianal abscess that is draining pus heal by itself?

Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on November 10, 2024
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Perianal abscesses cannot heal on their own after they spontaneously rupture and discharge pus, which can lead to the development of anal fistulas. This is mainly due to infection of the anal glands that initially causes swelling and lumps around the anus. Once these rupture and release pus, they can form channels that develop into anal fistulas, causing repeated perianal swelling, pain, and the discharge of pus and blood. In this case, it is advised to visit the proctology department of a hospital as soon as possible for a perianal MRI scan to determine the location of the infection and the direction of the fistula tract, followed by determining the surgical method. After the rupture and discharge of a perianal abscess, a definitive one-time surgical procedure is required to treat the abscess to prevent the potential development of a fistula or a complex, high fistula, which could cause significant damage to the patient and increase the complexity of later surgeries.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What will happen if a perianal abscess is not treated?

Perianal abscesses are localized abscess formations that occur due to repeated infections in the anal crypts. Typically, under perianal ultrasonography, clear pus chambers and related structures can be observed. If perianal abscesses are not treated promptly, there is a high likelihood of expansion of the local pus chambers and dispersion of the pus, leading to an increase in the size of local anal abscesses, which might involve the sacrococcygeal area or the intersphincteric space. The primary treatment for perianal abscesses is surgical, mainly through incision and drainage to evacuate the pus, followed by thorough debridement of the local wound. Additionally, if there are changes in the local sphincter, thread-lifting therapy may also be performed.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Which department should I go to for perianal abscess?

During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, patients experience significant local redness, swelling, heat, and pain around the anus. The pain is severe and in some cases, patients are unable to sit or walk normally due to the discomfort. During this acute phase, the swelling of the skin around the anus can easily be confused with skin carbuncles, leading patients to mistakenly visit a dermatologist. However, a perianal abscess is a local anal disease that requires registration with a colorectal surgery department, as it is not merely a skin carbuncle but an infection caused by an infection at the anal crypts inside the anal canal. This necessitates prompt surgical incision and drainage, and, if a fistula has formed, a fistulotomy may also be necessary.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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How many days does the skin around an anal abscess fall off?

During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, if rubber band ligation surgery is performed, the duration of the rubber band falling off generally depends on the location of the lesion. For superficial local perianal abscesses, the rubber band typically falls off within one to ten days. For high-position complex perianal abscesses or those accompanied by anal fistulas, the falling off of the rubber band might take about ten days. In some cases where the rubber band falls off slowly, it may require a doctor's dressing change and assistance to weaken or detach the local rubber band. Do not pull off the rubber band yourself to avoid injuring the local sphincter, which could lead to decreased or abnormal tightness around the anus.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Is the recurrence rate of perianal abscess high?

Perianal abscess is an acute infectious disease localized around the anus. If a perianal abscess acutely erupts, it requires prompt surgical treatment. Without surgery, there is a possibility of recurrent episodes of perianal abscesses or the formation of anal fistulas due to the rupture of the abscess. After surgery for a perianal abscess, it is also important to pay attention to a light diet and regular bowel movements. It is crucial not to allow the stool to become too dry, nor to experience diarrhea. Recurrent diarrhea can lead to infection of the anal crypts, thereby causing perianal abscesses and local infections. Therefore, the care of a perianal abscess is very important; maintaining good dietary and bowel habits is essential to prevent recurrence of the abscess.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What is the best medicine to take for a perianal abscess?

Perianal abscess is a type of acute infectious disease localized around the anus, and oral medication is not necessarily the best treatment method for perianal abscesses. Rather, the best treatment for perianal abscesses is surgery. Surgical methods generally include incision and drainage procedures, as well as further definitive surgeries, because perianal abscesses are associated with infections in the anal crypts. Thus, medication alone can only relieve symptoms and cannot completely clear the infection. If treatment is solely through medication or if it is incomplete, there is a high likelihood of recurrent infections, which may even lead to the formation of anal fistulas. Once an anal fistula forms, it can only be cured through surgical procedures that involve cutting and threading.