Cutaneous abscess causes

Abscess Main page
Patient Information
Overview
Causes
Classification Anal Abscess Appendicular Abscess Brain Abscess Breast Abscess Colon Abscess Cutaneous Abscess Liver Abscess Lung Abscess Pancreatic Abscess Retropharyngeal Abscess Splenic Abscess Tonsillar and Peritonsillar Abscess
Differential Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Causes

Abscesses occur when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body's immune system tries to fight it. White blood cells move through the walls of the blood vessels into the area of the infection and collect within the damaged tissue. During this process, pus forms. Pus is the buildup of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other foreign substances. Abscesses can form in almost any part of the body. The skin, under the skin, and the teeth are the most common sites. Abscesses may be caused by bacteria, parasites, and foreign substances.Abscesses in the skin are easy to see. They are red, raised, and painful. Abscesses in other areas of the body may not be obvious, but they may cause significant organ damage. Some specific type of abscesses are:

• Abdominal abscess
• Amebic liver abscess
• Anorectal abscess
• Bartholin's abscess
• Brain abscess
• Epidural abscess
• Peritonsillar abscess
• Pyogenic liver abscess
• Skin abscess
• Spinal cord abscess
• Subcutaneous abscess
• Tooth abscess