A perirectal abscess is a collection of pus in the deep tissues surrounding the anus. By contrast, a perianal abscess is a shallower collection of pus under the skin surrounding the anus. Both types of abscesses need immediate attention. A delay in treatment may cause serious worsening of the condition and unnecessary.
Signs and symptoms of perirectal and perianal abscesses include the following:
* Pain in the anal area or buttocks
* Fever
* A lump in the anal area
* Painful bowel movements
* Lower abdominal pain
* Fatigue
* Swelling in the anal area or buttocks
* Night sweats
Self-Care at Home
Both perirectal and perianal abscesses should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Do not delay seeing a doctor if you suspect you have a perirectal or a perianal abscess.
* A warm bath may help your symptoms.
* Nonprescription pain medicine, such as Tylenol, may help control the pain and fever.
* If the abscess opens by itself, there will be a release of pus and, possibly, some relief of pain and fever.
* Even if the symptoms improve with home care, you should seek medical attention. Abscesses need to be evaluated and treated by a doctor. They rarely go away on their own. Many people need further special treatment to avoid complications or a return of the abscess.
Medical Treatment
Depending upon the severity of the abscess and any other medical problems, treatment may be accomplished on an outpatient or inpatient basis. The treatment plan should be explained to you in detail.
* Minor surgery may be performed in the doctor's office or in the emergency department using local anesthesia (an injection in the infected area) and, possibly, IV sedation. You should be able to go home when you are awake and will be given prescription pain medicine for the first few days.
* Alternatively, the surgery may be done in the operating room by a surgeon using spinal anesthesia (you are awake and numb from the waist down) or general anesthesia (you are "asleep"). Your hospital stay may be overnight or several days.
* Admission to the hospital may be required with an IV line for fluids, antibiotics, and pain medicine.
* You may need an update of your tetanus booster, if this has not been done in the past 5-10 years.
* Blood and other tests may need to be repeated to evaluate your progress after treatment.
