Abscess | Definition, Causes, & Treatment - Britannica

Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos abscess Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics Images Quizzes A Visit with the Word Doctor: Medical Vocabulary Quiz Diseases, Disorders, and More: A Medical Quiz 44 Questions from Britannica’s Most Popular Health and Medicine Quizzes Contents Health & Medicine Conditions & Diseases CITE verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/abscess Feedback External Websites Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

• NHS - Skin abscess
• Frontiers - Frontiers in Microbiology - Development of a Computational Model of Abscess Formation
• MSD Manual - Professional Version - Abscesses
• Cleveland Clinic - Abscess
• WebMD - Abscess
• Mustansiriyah University - College of Veterinary Medicine - Abscess (PDF)
• The Nemours Foundation - For Parents - Abscess
• The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons - Abscess and Fistula
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - Anal abscess and fistula
• MedicineNet - What is the main cause of Abscess?
• Verywell Health - Causes of an Abscess and Treatments
• Patient - Abscess
• Healthdirect - Abscesses
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - Abscesses

Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

• abscess - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

abscess pathology Ask Anything Homework Help Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Jan. 16, 2026 •History Britannica AI Ask Anything Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything

abscess, a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed from tissues that have been broken down by infectious bacteria. An abscess is caused when such bacteria as staphylococci or streptococci gain access to solid tissue (e.g., by means of a small wound on the skin). The toxins released by these multiplying bacteria destroy cells and thus trigger an acute inflammation at the site, with its characteristic signs of redness, pain, swelling, and heat. (See inflammation.) White blood cells (leukocytes) collect at the site; these leukocytes break down the dead tissues and absorb the bacteria by means of phagocytosis. Thick yellowish pus is formed from the broken-down tissues, the dead bacteria and leukocytes, and the extracellular fluid that has accumulated. At the same time, nearby healthy cells form a capsule of tissue around the pus and develop a cell wall that delimits the abscess from nearby healthy tissues. When the abscess is ruptured, either naturally or through medical intervention, the pus escapes, the swelling and pain are relieved, and the delimiting cell wall eventually grows back into the abscess cavity.

Related Topics: ulcer (Show more) See all related content

Abscesses may occur on the skin surface or within the body on such internal organs as the lungs, brain, kidneys, or tonsils. Treatment for those abscesses that do not naturally resolve themselves consists of cutting into the capsule and draining its pus contents. Antibiotics are also administered to help fight the infection. Antihistamines may be prescribed to reduce swelling. Care must be taken to prevent the pus and other infective contents from entering the bloodstream and thus being carried to surrounding tissues, where they can result in new abscesses. See also boil.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.