Don't Ignore the Boils Around the Anal

Boils seem to be a familiar language to the common people. Boils are bumps on the skin that are inflamed or infected and can appear anywhere. The presence of a collection of pus in a boil is often referred to as an abscess. A lump around the anus that appears suddenly and is accompanied by pus is known as a perianal abscess. These abscesses are often considered harmless and ignored by most people. Dangerous or not an abscess depends on the size, type and complaints caused.

Perianal abscess is an infection of the soft tissue around the anal canal with the formation of pus and often accompanied by pain. This pus is formed due to holes caused by dead tissue when white blood cells fight bacteria that enter the body. This disease is more common in men than women. A common cause of this disease is bacteria from the anus that spreads to the area around the anus and causes inflammation. Most of these bacteria live  in the skin area near the anus. In addition, this disease can also be caused by an infected sore in the anal area, a blocked crypto globular gland or a sexually transmitted infection, such as Chrohn's disease or Diverticulitis.

The signs and symptoms that are often found are painful lumps and swelling around the anus, soft palpable lumps, redness, pain sensations that are persistent and exacerbated by movement and when sitting. If it bursts, this lump will ooze pus. Other symptoms that appear are fever, malaise or feeling unwell or constipation during bowel movements. The doctor will perform an external and digital rectal examination if an abscess is suspected to be the cause. The use of endoscopic visualization (transrectal and transanal) is the best way to evaluate complex cases of perianal abscess with complications. If the patient feels pain around the anus while a lump filled with pus is not found, an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI can be performed for further evaluation, while laboratory and radiological examinations are rarely required.

Once the diagnosis has been established, the main treatment for perianal abscess is incision drainage or drainage to open and aspirate the abscess with anesthesia and sterile instruments. Most perianal abscesses can be drained under local anesthesia in a clinic, or emergency department. However, for cases of large abscesses or in difficult locations, usually requires drainage in the operating room. In addition to surgery, perianal abscess can also be treated with antibiotics. Perianal abscess can cause various complications if not treated properly such as perianal fistula. These fistulas occur due to the formation of a channel between the skin and the anus that traps bacteria and can lead to repeated infections. For that, if you feel a lump in the anal area accompanied by fever or chills, immediately see a doctor and consult for proper treatment and prevent complications.