Anal Abscess

Best Anal Abscess Treatment & Diagnostics in Sadashiv Peth, Pune

The accumulation of pus near the anus is called an anal abscess. An anal abscess is a very painful condition. Infections in small anal glands result in an anal abscess.

Perianal abscess is a boil-like swelling near the anus which is also very painful is the most common type of abscess. The perianal abscess is warm to the touch. Generally, the formation of abscesses in the deeper tissue is rare and is also less visible. The most common treatment procedure for an anal abscess is surgical incision and drainage. More than 50 percent of the patients suffering from an anal abscess are likely to form a complication known as fistula, which is a small tunnel that connects the abscess and the skin, to cure an anal fistula you have to undergo surgery.

What are the Causes?

An anal abscess can develop in a person for the following causes:

• An anal abscess can develop when a tear in the anal canal gets infected.
• An anal abscess can be caused by infections that are transmitted sexually.
• It can also develop when the anal glands get blocked.

What are the Symptoms?

The general symptoms for anal abscess are as follows:

• An anal abscess can cause constant pain and difficulty in sitting.
• There will be redness and swelling as well as skin irritation around the anus.
• Pus will be formed around the anus, resulting in discharge.
• When an anal abscess is formed in dipper tissues, symptoms like high fever, chills, and malaise can be observed.
• An anal abscess can also cause constipation and pain from bowel movements.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Pune

Call 1860-500-2244 to book an appointment

Risks Factors

The risks present in anal abscess are as follows:

• Patients suffering from an anal abscess can develop diabetes.
• Inflammatory bowel condition
• Colitis
• Patients can also develop a serious disease like pelvic inflammatory.
• If untreated other serious complications and diseases can develop such as diverticulitis and ulcerative colitis.

For adults, during anal intercourse, the use of condoms is recommended as it can prevent anal abscesses. For children, proper cleaning and frequent change of diapers are recommended to help prevent anal abscesses.

How Anal Abscess is diagnosed?

An anal abscess is diagnosed by performing a digital rectal exam by your doctor. But, in the case of some patients additional tests are required to check for:

• Rectal cancer
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Diverticular disease

In some rare cases CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound are also done to diagnose anal abscesses.

How Anal Abscesses are treated?

Before the abscess erupts proper surgical drainage is required to be done. Normally, a superficial anal abscess can be drained at the doctor’s chamber itself by giving local anesthesia. In case of a large and serious anal abscess, hospitalization is required.

Once the procedure is done pain medications will be prescribed to you by your doctor. For healthy patients antibiotics are not required, antibiotics are given to patients with diabetes and decreased immunity.

Once the abscess is drained, the fistula can develop after 4 to 6 weeks. Sometimes, it may take few months to even years to develop. Fistula surgery is performed on an outpatient or with a short hospital stay.

After the fistula operation, you may have mild pain which can be reduced by the use of pain medications. You can easily go to work and school.

You will be advised to soak the affected area in warm water three to four times a day. You may also be given stool softeners for constipation. Wearing a gauze or pad is advised to prevent drainage and help your clothes from getting soiled.

Complications after surgery are infections, scarring, anal fissure, etc. Normally, after the surgery it is unlikely that the condition will come back, still following your doctor’s advice is recommended even after the surgery just to make sure

Conclusion

An anal abscess is a painful condition that should be treated immediately as it can develop into serious conditions if left untreated. The procedure for anal abscess surgery is very safe and has very few risks involved.