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Causes of an abscess

Most abscesses are caused by a bacterial infection.

Bacteria

When bacteria enter your body, your immune system tries to fight the infection by sending white blood cells to the affected area. The white blood cells (polymorphs) kill them and then die. As the white blood cells attack the bacteria, inflammation (swelling) and death of nearby tissue may occur, causing a hollow to form.

The hollow fills with pus to form the abscess. The pus contains a mixture of dead tissue, white blood cells and bacteria. The abscess may get larger and more painful as the infection continues and more pus is produced.

Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci are the most common types of bacteria that cause skin abscesses on the following areas of the body:

head and necklimbsunderarmstorso

See the Health A-Z topic about Staphylococcal infections for more information.

PVL Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a type of bacterium found on the surface of healthy skin. It can cause skin infections, such as skin abscesses and boils, and prefers to live in moist areas of the body such as:

the armpitsthe groininside the nostrils

Some S. aureus bacteria can produce a poisonous substance called Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), which kills the white cells, causing the body to make more white cells to continue to fight the infection.

PVL-positive strains of bacteria are therefore more likely to cause skin infections and abscesses. They can also cause more serious conditions:

Septicaemia is blood poisoning caused by bacteria multiplying in the blood. Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the lungs caused by an infection. Pus collects in the airways and is coughed up as mucus.

Skin abscesses

Bacteria can cause a skin abscess when they get under the surface of your skin. An abscess may occur if you have a minor skin wound, such as a small cut or graze, or if a sebaceous gland (oil gland) or a sweat gland in your skin becomes blocked.

Boils occur as the result of bacteria entering the root of a hair on your skin.

In most cases, skin abscesses are not a sign of an underlying health problem. However, you are more likely to develop a skin abscess if you have diabetes. Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which can mean you are unable to feel any minor cuts and grazes to your skin.

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been a common cause of skin abscesses in recent years.

hope this helps I do think you need to see a Doctor

11 years ago. Rating: 6
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