Treatment
Treatment involves surgery to drain the abscess.
Warm sitz baths (sitting in a tub of warm water) may help relieve pain and swelling, and may help make the abscess easier to drain.
Your doctor may prescribe pain medication and antibiotics.
Prognosis (Expectations)
With prompt treatment, a patient usually does well. Infants and toddlers usually recover very quickly.
Complications
* Anal fistula
* Body-wide infection
* Problem keeps coming back (recurrence)
* Scars
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider if you notice a rectal discharge, or if symptoms of an anorectal abscess develop. You should also call if you have fever, chills, or other new symptoms after being treated for this condition.
Anorectal abscess: Overview, Causes
Anorectal abscess: Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
Anorectal abscess: Treatment
Review Date : 5/9/2009
Reviewed By : Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Reviewed By : Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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