10 Types of Abscesses: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

An abscess is a painful collection of pus that forms when the body fights off an infection. It can appear anywhere — under the skin, in the mouth, or even deep inside organs. Abscesses often cause redness, swelling, and tenderness. While small abscesses might heal on their own, others may need drainage or antibiotics.

In this article, we’ll explore the 10 most common types of abscesses, what causes them, their key symptoms, and how they’re treated.

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1. Skin Abscess (Boil)

The most common form, a skin abscess, occurs when bacteria (usually Staphylococcus aureus) infects a hair follicle or sweat gland. It appears as a red, swollen bump filled with pus.

Symptoms: Pain, warmth, redness, and a visible lump under the skin.
Treatment: Warm compresses may help small abscesses drain naturally, but larger ones often need incision and drainage by a doctor. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed.

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2. Dental Abscess

A dental abscess forms inside the tooth or gums due to bacterial infection — often caused by tooth decay, gum disease, or a cracked tooth.

Symptoms: Severe toothache, swollen gums, jaw pain, and sometimes fever or bad breath.
Treatment: Dentists typically drain the abscess, prescribe antibiotics, and may perform a root canal or extraction to remove the infection source.

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3. Peritonsillar Abscess

Also known as quinsy, this abscess develops near the tonsils, usually as a complication of untreated tonsillitis.

Symptoms: Throat pain (often worse on one side), fever, difficulty swallowing, and muffled speech.
Treatment: The abscess must be drained, followed by antibiotics. In some cases, a tonsillectomy may be recommended.

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4. Bartholin’s Abscess

This occurs when one of the Bartholin’s glands (located near the vaginal opening) becomes blocked and infected.

Symptoms: Painful swelling near the vaginal area, discomfort while sitting or walking, and sometimes fever.
Treatment: Warm sitz baths may help mild cases, but drainage and antibiotics are often required. Chronic cases may need surgical removal of the gland.

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5. Brain Abscess

A brain abscess is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It occurs when bacteria or fungi infect brain tissue, often spreading from another part of the body such as the ear or sinuses.

Symptoms: Headache, fever, nausea, confusion, and sometimes seizures.
Treatment: Immediate hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, and surgical drainage if necessary. Early diagnosis is critical.

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6. Liver Abscess

A liver abscess can form when bacteria, amoebas, or fungi infect the liver. It’s more common in people with diabetes or weakened immune systems.

Symptoms: Fever, right-sided abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice.
Treatment: Image-guided drainage and strong antibiotic therapy are essential. Amoebic abscesses are treated with antiparasitic medications.

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7. Pilonidal Abscess

This abscess develops near the tailbone, at the top of the buttocks crease. It’s caused by ingrown hairs and friction, often affecting people who sit for long periods.

Symptoms: Painful swelling, redness, and sometimes pus or blood discharge.
Treatment: Surgical drainage is usually needed. Keeping the area clean, hair-free, and dry helps prevent recurrence.

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8. Perianal Abscess

A perianal abscess forms near the anus due to blocked anal glands or infection. It can be extremely painful and may lead to fistulas if untreated.

Symptoms: Severe anal pain, swelling, redness, and sometimes fever.
Treatment: Urgent drainage is required, often under local anesthesia. Antibiotics may be added to control infection.

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9. Breast Abscess

A breast abscess typically affects breastfeeding women when bacteria enter cracked nipples and infect breast tissue (mastitis). However, it can also occur in non-lactating women.

Symptoms: Painful breast lump, redness, warmth, and sometimes fever or pus discharge.
Treatment: Warm compresses, antibiotics, and drainage of the abscess. Continuing to breastfeed or pump can help clear infection in lactating women.

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10. Lung Abscess

A lung abscess is a cavity filled with pus inside the lungs, often caused by aspiration (inhaling food or saliva into the lungs) or untreated pneumonia.

Symptoms: Persistent cough, foul-smelling sputum, fever, chest pain, and fatigue.
Treatment: Long-term antibiotic therapy is essential. In severe cases, drainage or surgery may be required.

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Preventing Abscesses

While not all abscesses can be avoided, you can reduce your risk with these steps:

• Practice good hygiene and wound care.

• Avoid sharing razors, towels, or toothbrushes.

• Treat skin injuries promptly with antiseptics.

• Manage chronic illnesses like diabetes that weaken immunity.

• Maintain regular dental check-ups.

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When to See a Doctor

Seek medical attention if:

• The abscess is large, deep, or very painful.

• You have fever, chills, or spreading redness.

• The abscess recurs or doesn’t heal within a few days.

• You experience symptoms in sensitive areas (like the face, anus, or breast).

Early treatment prevents complications and speeds recovery. Never try to squeeze or pop an abscess yourself—it can spread infection deeper into the body.

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Final Thoughts

Abscesses are your body’s way of fighting infection, but they shouldn’t be ignored. Whether it’s a small skin boil or a deep internal abscess, timely medical care makes all the difference. By recognizing the symptoms early and following proper treatment, you can avoid serious health issues and ensure faster healing.