Table Of Contents
- What is Anal Abscess?
- What are the causes of Anal Abscess?
- What are the symptoms of Anal Abscesses?
- How is Anal Abscess diagnosed?
- How is Anal Abscess treated?
- Treatment methods after drainage
What is Anal Abscess?
An anal abscess or ischiorectal abscess is a painful condition where pus collects near the anus. It occurs when there is an infection in the tiny anal glands.
A perianal abscess is the most common form of an abscess, where you will find a boil-like inflammation near the anus. Deeper tissue anal abscesses are rare and are less noticeable.
The typical treatment is a surgical incision where it is drained through the skin next to the anus.
What are the causes of Anal Abscess?
There are many causes of anal abscess, which include:
- Anal fissure – tear in the anal canal that can lead to infections
- Sexually transmitted infection & poor immune system because of HIV/AIDS
- Blockage in anal glands
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Diabetes
- Constipation, Diarrhea
- Undergoing chemotherapy or using medications like prednisone or other steroids
Make sure to get it treated right away as ignoring such symptoms can lead to many complications, including:
- Anal fistula – an unusual skin opening around the anus
- Sepsis is a fatal condition caused by your body’s response to infection
- Fournier’s gangrene – though it is very rare, it is a possibly deadly infection
What are the symptoms of Anal Abscesses?
- Pain during bowel movements or constipation
- Throbbing pain that can get worse while sitting
- Irritation of skin around the anal area, including redness, tenderness, and inflammation
- Pus discharge
Symptoms of deeper anal abscesses include fever, chills, and malaise.
How is Anal Abscess diagnosed?
After proper clinical assessment, your medical practitioner will diagnose the anal abscess. Based on the condition, your healthcare practitioner may ask for additional tests to be conducted.
Anal abscesses are most commonly diagnosed through a physical examination in which a medical professional looks for specific abnormalities. In order to rule out other problems, the doctor may examine the anal area for pain, inflammation, and swelling.
There may be no apparent symptoms of an abscess on the skin’s surface around the anus in some patients. However, the doctor will examine the anal canal, and lower rectum with a device called an anoscope.
At times, the abscesses may be deeper than a physical examination can detect. To have a better look, the doctor may arrange imaging tests such as a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound. They may also call for additional tests to rule out Crohn’s disease as a contributory factor.
Blood and stool testing, imaging, and a colonoscopy may be required in such cases. A colonoscopy is an invasive procedure where the doctor examines the colon and large intestine using a flexible scope and light.
How is Anal Abscess treated?
Anal abscesses are rarely cured without medical intervention. Drainage or surgery may be used to treat the condition. The most common and straightforward therapy involves having the pus from the affected region emptied by a doctor.
Usually, it is done in the doctor’s office. The doctor will sedate the region with medicines. Any unpleasant pressure on the tissue should be alleviated to allow it to heal correctly.
If the anal abscesses are extremely large, surgery under anesthesia may be needed. The doctor will insert a catheter in some conditions to ensure that the infection drains correctly. An abscess that is drained completely is usually left open without the need for stitches.
If you have diabetes or your immune system is poor, your doctor may ask you to spend a week in the hospital to prevent infection.
Treatment methods after drainage
After drainage, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:
- Medication – If you have a poor immune system or if the inflammation has spread, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Note that antibiotics are not enough to heal the infection, but they may be administered once the abscess is drained.
- Fiber supplements and laxatives – to prevent constipation post-draining the abscess, your doctor may recommend laxatives or fiber supplements.
- Warm baths – your doctor will guide you on how to clean the area and may recommend a sitz bath. Take warm baths to reduce swelling.
- Follow-up – as recurrence of anal abscesses exists, make sure to follow up with your doctor. Ensure that you see the doctor periodically.
It takes around 3-4 weeks for the drained rectal abscess to recover completely.
Always follow the advice of your medical practitioner to prevent recurrence of anal/ Ischiorectal Abscess.
