skin abscesses

see also:

• labial abscess / Bartholins abscess
• perirectal abscess
• perianal abscess
• hidradenitis suppurativa
• incision and loop drainage of abscesses - instructions with video
• perhaps a 7 day course of co-trimoxazole is useful after I&D but are the rare risks worth it?

• usually the operating unit if post-op
• usually plastics if:
  • superficial head or neck, hands, below knee
  • in some hospitals, even gluteal and other superficial body regions may fall under plastics
• usually obs/gynae if:
  • labial
  • breast and lactating
• usually multidisplinary diabetic foot team if:
  • diabetic and involving foot (below the tips of the malleoli)
• usually ortho if:
  • post-ortho surgery, or underlying osteomyelitis or septic arthritis
• usually faciomax if:
  • dental abscess
• usually ENT if:
  • tonsillar (quinsy)
  • deep neck
• usually urology if:
  • renal
  • scrotal
• otherwise it is usually general surgery