Abscess: Causes, Types, Symptoms, and Safe Treatment at Renova Hospitals Hyderabad

An abscess is one of the most common yet serious infections seen in hospitals. It may start as a small swelling or lump on the skin but can also develop deep inside vital organs such as the liver, lungs, spine, or muscles. 

While some abscesses are mild and resolve with medication, others such as a psoas abscess, amoebic liver abscess, or parapharyngeal abscess can become life-threatening if not treated early.

At Renova Hospitals, our multidisciplinary teams including specialists from General Surgery, Gastroenterology, ENT, Critical Care, and Infectious Diseases provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and management for all types of abscesses. 

With NABH-accredited infection-control protocols and modern imaging technology, Renova ensures early detection and safe treatment for every patient.

An abscess is a localised collection of pus that forms in body tissues due to infection. It is the body’s way of containing a local infection by creating a wall of tissue around it to prevent it from spreading further. Inside the abscess, there’s a thick, yellowish fluid (pus) made up of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue debris.

While many people use the term “boil” for superficial abscesses, internal abscesses can affect deeper organs and require advanced imaging and intervention.

Doctors often differentiate between a phlegmon vs abscess during diagnosis. A phlegmon refers to a diffuse, spreading inflammation without a clear pus cavity, while an abscess is a distinct pocket of pus that usually requires drainage. 

Recognising this distinction is crucial, as the management differs significantly; antibiotics alone may suffice for a phlegmon, but an abscess often needs drainage.

Abscesses can develop in various parts of the body, and each type has unique causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches. Understanding these variations helps ensure the right diagnosis and timely care.

Skin Abscess (Boil or Carbuncle) A skin abscess is the most common type, appearing as a red, swollen, and painful lump just beneath the skin surface. It’s typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria entering through a cut, insect bite, or blocked sweat gland.

If multiple hair follicles are infected together, it’s called a carbuncle. While most small abscesses can be treated with warm compresses and antibiotics, larger boils may need minor surgical drainage under sterile conditions at Renova’s General Surgery Department.

Cold Abscess: A cold abscess is an unusual form of abscess that develops without the usual signs of inflammation like heat or redness. It’s commonly associated with tuberculosis (TB) infections, especially in the spine, bones, or lymph nodes.

These abscesses form slowly and can become large before being noticed.
Diagnosis often requires MRI or ultrasound, and treatment includes both drainage and anti-tuberculosis medication under the supervision of our Renova Pulmonology and Infectious Disease specialists.

Gluteal Abscess: A gluteal abscess forms in the buttock area, often after contaminated injections, blocked glands, or skin injuries. It causes severe pain while sitting or walking and may lead to fever.

In advanced cases, the infection can spread deeper into pelvic muscles.
Renova’s surgeons perform sterile incision and drainage procedures to remove the pus and prevent recurrence. Post-operative wound care and antibiotic therapy are crucial for complete healing.

Psoas Abscess: A psoas abscess is a deep-seated infection in the psoas muscle, located behind the abdominal cavity and along the spine. It can occur due to spinal tuberculosis (cold psoas abscess) or spread from other abdominal infections such as appendicitis or Crohn’s disease.

Symptoms include persistent back or hip pain, fever, and difficulty walking.
Because this condition mimics spinal or hip disorders, accurate diagnosis through CT or MRI scans is essential.

At Renova Hospitals, image-guided drainage and antibiotic therapy are key components of treatment, followed by physiotherapy for full mobility recovery.

Amoebic Liver Abscess: An amoebic liver abscess is one of the most serious internal infections, caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica. This condition occurs when intestinal infection spreads to the liver through the bloodstream, leading to pus formation inside the liver.

Patients may experience high-grade fever, right upper abdominal pain, and tenderness.
If untreated, the abscess may rupture into the chest or abdomen.

Liver abscess management at Renova involves a combination of anti-amoebic and antibiotic therapy, along with ultrasound-guided drainage for larger abscesses. Our Gastroenterology and Hepatology teams are specially trained to manage complex liver abscess cases safely.

Parotid Abscess: A parotid abscess develops within the parotid salivary gland, located near the jaw and ear. It often arises from bacterial infection due to dehydration, poor oral hygiene, or blocked salivary ducts.

Common symptoms include facial swelling, pain while chewing, and sometimes pus discharge inside the mouth.

Prompt treatment is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading to nearby facial nerves. Renova’s ENT and Head & Neck Surgery Department offers minimally invasive drainage and post-surgical oral care guidance.

Parapharyngeal Abscess: A parapharyngeal abscess is a deep neck infection near the throat, usually resulting from untreated tonsillitis, dental infection, or ear infection.
It causes severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, muffled voice, and neck stiffness. In severe cases, it can affect breathing or compress major blood vessels.

This condition is a medical emergency. Our ENT and Critical Care teams at Renova Hospitals coordinate rapid airway management, imaging, and surgical drainage to prevent complications.

Bezold Abscess: A Bezold abscess is a rare but serious complication of chronic middle-ear infection (mastoiditis). In this condition, pus tracks down from the mastoid bone into the neck tissues, causing painful swelling and limited neck movement.
If untreated, it can spread into the chest.

At Renova’s ENT and Skull Base Surgery Department, this infection is managed through surgical drainage of both the mastoid and neck compartments, combined with targeted antibiotics.

Perianal Abscess: A perianal abscess occurs when the small glands near the anus become blocked and infected. It presents as a painful swelling with throbbing pain, especially while sitting or passing stools.

If untreated, it can form a fistula — an abnormal tunnel connecting the abscess to the skin.

Perianal abscess surgery is the definitive treatment. Renova’s colorectal surgeons perform the procedure under anaesthesia, ensuring complete drainage and infection control.

For patients seeking transparent costs, the perianal abscess surgery cost in Hyderabad at Renova is affordable, with detailed pre-surgical counselling and post-care instructions included.

The symptoms of an abscess depend on where it forms, but the underlying signs are similar across most types. Recognising them early can help prevent complications.

A cold abscess, however, may not show redness, heat, or fever — making medical imaging crucial for detection.

Abscesses form when bacteria invade tissues, leading to a strong immune response. The immune system sends white blood cells to fight the bacteria, forming pus as a by-product. Common causes include:

Several underlying factors make certain individuals more prone to abscess formation:

At Renova Hospitals, abscess diagnosis begins with a thorough physical examination followed by targeted investigations to determine its type, size, and cause.

Abscess treatment aims to remove pus, control infection, and restore tissue health.

Medical Treatment

For small or early abscesses:

Surgical Drainage (Incision & Drainage – I&D)

For moderate or large abscesses:

Renova’s General Surgery Department specialises in minimally invasive abscess drainage, particularly for gluteal, perianal, and parotid abscesses, ensuring minimal scarring and faster recovery.

For abscesses inside organs (like psoas or liver abscesses), ultrasound- or CT-guided needle aspiration is used.

Amoebic liver abscesses are managed with targeted anti-amoebic drugs and drainage under ultrasound guidance.

Psoas abscesses often require both drainage and long-term antibiotic therapy.

Renova’s Interventional Radiology Unit and Gastroenterology Department coordinate for safe, precise, and effective drainage of internal abscesses.

Most abscesses heal completely with timely treatment. Superficial abscesses usually recover within 7–10 days. Internal abscesses like psoas or liver abscesses may take 2–3 weeks depending on the severity. Delaying treatment, however, increases the risk of sepsis — when bacteria enter the bloodstream — or chronic fistula formation.

Prevention

Preventing an abscess largely depends on good hygiene and prompt medical care.

Post-treatment recovery is generally smooth if proper care is taken.

Renova’s nursing and wound-care specialists provide ongoing support to ensure every patient’s complete recovery.

At Renova Hospitals, we provide holistic care for all forms of abscesses, from simple skin infections to complex internal cases.

Our advanced diagnostic imaging, skilled surgeons, and specialised infection-control teams ensure precision care and long-term safety.
If you have a painful swelling, fever, or pus formation, don’t delay.

Request a call at 040 2333 3333 or visit your nearest Renova Hospital today for expert evaluation and personalised care.