Abscess: Symptom and Causes

The Symptoms of an Abscess depend on where it develops in your body

Skin abscess

• A smooth swelling under your skin that can feel hard or firm
  
• Tenderness in the affected area
  
• Pain, warmth and redness in the affected area
  
• An open wound or closed sore
  
• Pus in the affected area that appears white or yellow
  
• A high temperature (fever) of 38 C (100.4 F) or above
  
• Chills
  

Internal abscess

• Discomfort in the area of the abscess
  
• Feeling generally unwell
  
• A high temperature (fever) of 38 C (100.4 F) or above
  
• Pain in your abdomen 
  
• Weight loss
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Pain and tenderness
  
• Drowsiness (A very sleepy state) 
  
• Diarrhoea (loose, watery stools)
  
• A need to frequently pass urine
  

Depending on exactly where inside your body the abscess is, you may also have a number of other symptoms

• A dental abscess can cause toothache, a bitter taste in your mouth and bad breath
  
• A breast abscess can cause redness, pain and a discharge from your nipple 
  
• A brain abscess can cause a headache, confusion and a high temperature (fever) of 38 C (100.4 F) or above
  

• A skin abscess is often caused by a bacterial infection that occurs when Staphylococcus aureus bacteria enter the body through a hair follicle or through a wound or injury.
  
• Abscesses can be caused by minor breaks and punctures of the skin, obstruction of sweat glands and oil (sebaceous) glands, and inflammation of hair follicles.