Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
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Causes of Abscess
Abscesses occur for several reasons. For example, skin abscesses may occur when the oil (sebaceous) glands or sweat glands become blocked, the hair follicles become inflamed (this is called a perifollicular abscess), or from minor wounds to the skin.
Germs get under the skin or into these glands, and are fought off by the body’s defences. This causes the area to become swollen and sometimes painful. The middle of the abscess containing the dead cells, bacteria, and other debris, turns to liquid and begins to grow, causing the surrounding tissue to become more swollen.
The usual cause of an abscess is an infection with bacteria. Certain bacteria are more likely to be pus forming as they make toxins (chemicals) which can damage the bodys tissues. These include: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.
People with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop abscesses. These include people AIDS, cancer, or diabetes, people who are having treatment such as chemotherapy or chronic steroid therapy, and those who have had serious trauma such as extensive burns.
Dental or tooth abscess are usually a result of dental decay.
