ABSCESS

PREVENTION &
MANAGEMENT
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, the trainee will have learnt:
Definition of abscess
How abscesses are formed
Various stages of abscess development (Signs and
symptoms of abscesses)
Basic Care and Management for abscess.
Basic preventive measures of abscess
WHAT IS AN ABSCESS?

A collection of pus anywhere in the

body e.g. under the skin

May progress to being an open

wound. In this case it is scientifically
called as an ulcer
HOW DO ABSCESSES FORM?

May result from injecting non soluble

substances, such as SP, which can remain trapped
under the skin

May result from bacteria contaminating the site

of an injection

May result from dead (necrotic) tissue at the

site of an injection
STAGES OF ABSCESS
DEVELOPMENT
1. May start off as a hard lump at an
injection site
STAGES OF ABSCESS
DEVELOPMENT
2. Localized skin redness appears
Stages of Abscess
Development
3. Soft swelling appears
STAGES OF ABSCESS
DEVELOPMENT
4. The area becomes tender
STAGES OF ABSCESS
DEVELOPMENT
5. A fever may or may not develop
STAGES OF ABSCESS
DEVELOPMENT
6. The abscess may go on to increase in size
and discharge pus
STAGES OF ABSCESS
DEVELOPMENT
7. Abscess may progress to an open wound called an
ulcer
CARING FOR
ABSCESS
AIMS OF ABSCESS CARE

To prevent increase in size and other

complications through provision of early
treatment

To heal the abscess as quickly as possible

To provide appropriate pain relief

To refer complicated cases for appropriate

medical treatment
CARING FOR ABSCESSES

1. Encourage injecting into sites far from

the abscess area (at least 12 inches away
from the abscess site) till the abscess is
healed
2. There may be need to cover the abscess
area with a clean dressing to prevent it
from being knocked
3. If the abscess is discharging pus or other
fluid it will require a daily dressing:
Clean the area with water or saline and
apply a clean gauze dressing
CARING FOR ABSCESSES
(CONTD)

4. Encourage early reporting of

complications, such as increase in abscess
size, black tissue around the area
(necrosis,) or increase in pain

5. Sometimes, the patient may have to be

referred to a bigger hospital for
management of complicated cases
ABSCESS COMPLICATIONS

Pain
Chronic, non healing
ulcer
Tissue death (necrosis),
or gangrene (may lead to
amputation of the limb
itself)
Spread of infection
through the blood stream
leading to infection of the
heart valves, bone
infection and other
abscesses
PREVENTION OF ABSCESS
PREVENTION OF ABSCESS CONTD..

Educate clients on safe injecting methods:

Always inject in veins and avoid arteries
Differentiation between arteries and veins
Rotation of injecting sites
How to inject safely
Sites where NOT to inject

Outreach staff should distribute alcohol (spirit) /

betadine / savlon swabs along with needle / syringe to
every injecting client
PROPER TECHNIQUE OF INJECTING

Before injecting, clean the site with alcohol swab (with

soap & water if swab not available)

Inject with the vein clearly visible (make the vein

prominent with a tourniquet or with other hand)

Use clean equipment (Needle/syringe and other

injecting paraphernalia)

Inject at a 45 degree angle with the bewelled edge

pointing upwards

Use a small gauge needle to avoid puncturing the veins

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VEIN & ARTERY
1. Never inject
into an artery

2. If you hit an
artery:
There will be
excruciating
pain in the area
Bleeding may
not stop
You may need
to see a doctor
SITES TO AVOID DURING INJECTING

These include
Groin
Heart
Neck
Forehead
Part of hand below wrist
Part of legs below the ankle
RISK OF INJECTING LEVELS
IN THE BODY
 CONCLUSIONS
Abscesses are formed due to a
variety of reasons
NSEP is an effective means of
preventing Abscess
Clients should be taught to inject
safely and to take care of their veins
Abscess once formed lead to a
number of complications