labial abscess / Bartholins abscess

see also:

• skin abscesses
• JAMA 2016 - epidemiology of female pubic grooming

• labial abscesses belong to two distinct groups:
  • Bartholin abscess which is an infection of the Bartholin gland in the lower half of the labia
  • other labial abscesses which usually start as a folliculitis, often following pubic hair grooming, but may be due to spread of a virulent Staph. aureus infection from other parts of the body

• examine patient to determine size, location and whether it is draining or not
• contact gynae reg for formal incision and drainage within the next 12-24hrs
• expectant Mx with oral antibiotics is likely to fail