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What is a perianal abscess?
A perianal abscess is a pocket of pus in the tissue around the anus. It usually starts when one of the small mucus glands inside the anal canal gets blocked and infected. The infection spreads into the surrounding fat and forms a tender swelling.
Abscesses are named by where they sit. Most are perianal (just under the skin at the edge of the anus). Some are deeper (ischiorectal, intersphincteric or higher), which may cause less visible swelling but more pain, fever and a general feeling of being unwell.
Symptoms
- A constant, throbbing pain near the anus that gets worse when sitting
- A red, hot, tender lump at the edge of the anus
- Fever, chills or feeling generally unwell
- Pain while passing stool, coughing or walking
- Pus discharge if the abscess bursts on its own, often followed by a sudden drop in pain
- With deeper abscesses: rectal pressure or pain with little visible swelling
Causes and risk factors
- Blocked and infected anal glands: the most common cause
- Diabetes, especially when sugar is poorly controlled
- Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel disease
- Tuberculosis or other infections
- Weak immunity (for example HIV, steroids, chemotherapy)
- Constipation, diarrhoea, anal fissure or previous anal surgery
When to see a doctor
An anal abscess should be seen the same day. Come to the hospital or call 93196 62944 (24×7) if you have a painful swelling near the anus, especially with fever.
Go straight to emergency care if you have:
- High fever, shivering, fast heartbeat or confusion
- Redness, swelling or dark skin spreading to the buttocks, groin or scrotum
- Difficulty passing urine
- Diabetes, or weak immunity, with any of the symptoms above
How an abscess is diagnosed at Samrijo
- Examination: most perianal abscesses are diagnosed by looking and gently feeling.
- Blood tests at the in-house laboratory: blood count, sugar and markers of infection.
- Ultrasound or MRI for deep abscesses or when the diagnosis is unclear.
- Examination under anaesthesia at the time of drainage, to check for a fistula tract.
Treatment options
What to expect
Before
Examination, quick blood tests including sugar, and an anaesthesia check. In an emergency, these are done quickly on the same day.
During
Drainage under anaesthesia usually takes a short time. The pus may be sent for testing, for example for TB if suspected.
After
Many patients go home the same day or next day. The wound is left open to drain and heal from inside. Warm sitz baths, dressings as advised, painkillers and stool softeners are part of care.
Follow-up
Regular checks until the wound heals, and to look for signs of a fistula. People with diabetes should keep sugar well controlled for better healing.
Caring for the wound at home
Good home care helps the wound heal cleanly and lowers the chance of the abscess coming back:
- Sitz baths: sit in a tub of warm (not hot) water for 10–15 minutes, two to three times a day and after each bowel movement. Pat dry gently with a clean towel.
- Dressings: change the gauze as shown by the nurse. A little blood-stained discharge for the first few days is normal.
- Keep stools soft: fibre, fluids and the stool softener prescribed. Straining can open the wound.
- Pain relief: take painkillers as prescribed, especially before sitz baths or dressing changes in the first days.
- Sugar control: if you have diabetes, check your sugar regularly. High sugar slows healing.
- Watch for warning signs: return if fever comes back, pain increases after first improving, or there is fresh swelling or heavy bleeding.
Can an abscess be prevented?
Not every abscess can be prevented, because blocked anal glands often happen without an obvious reason. But you can lower the risk. Avoid constipation and long straining, keep the area clean and dry, treat diarrhoea early, and keep diabetes well controlled. If you have had one abscess, see a doctor early for any new swelling. Early drainage is simpler and less painful than treating a large collection.
Questions to ask your surgeon
- Is this a simple perianal abscess or a deeper one?
- Did you see any sign of a fistula during drainage?
- How often should I change the dressing, and who will do it?
- When should I come back for a check-up?
Why choose Samrijo Hospital
- Open 24×7: an abscess can be drained without waiting for an OPD day.
- Surgeon-led care by Dr. Arun Kumar Patel (MBBS, MS General Surgery), with an in-house operation theatre.
- Lab in the same building for quick blood sugar and infection tests.
- Follow-through care: if a fistula develops later, it can be treated by the same team.
Cost of abscess treatment
Cost depends on the size and depth of the abscess, whether it is an emergency admission, anaesthesia, stay, dressings, tests and your insurance cover.
Call 93196 62944 for an estimate.
गुदा के फोड़े (पेरिएनल एब्सेस) का इलाज, बुराड़ी
गुदा के पास मवाद से भरी, दर्द वाली गाँठ को पेरिएनल एब्सेस या फोड़ा कहते हैं। इसमें लगातार धड़कता हुआ दर्द, सूजन, लाली, बैठने में तकलीफ़ और कभी-कभी बुखार होता है। गुदा की छोटी ग्रंथियों में संक्रमण इसका आम कारण है; डायबिटीज़ में इसका ख़तरा ज़्यादा होता है।
फोड़े का मुख्य इलाज मवाद निकालना (इन्सीज़न और ड्रेनेज) है। केवल एंटीबायोटिक से यह अक्सर ठीक नहीं होता। Samrijo Hospital, बुराड़ी 24×7 खुला है, इसलिए ज़रूरत पड़ने पर दिन या रात कभी भी ड्रेनेज किया जा सकता है। ज़्यादातर मरीज़ों को दर्द से जल्दी राहत मिलती है। कुछ लोगों में बाद में भगंदर बन सकता है, इसलिए फ़ॉलो-अप ज़रूरी है।
तेज़ बुखार या फैलती सूजन हो तो तुरंत आएँ या कॉल करें: 93196 62944।
Frequently asked questions
Can a perianal abscess be treated with antibiotics alone?
Usually not. Pus collected under the skin needs to be drained. Antibiotics may be added, especially for people with diabetes, weak immunity or spreading redness, but they rarely cure an abscess without drainage.
Is abscess drainage an emergency?
It should be done promptly, usually within a day of diagnosis. Waiting can let the infection spread deeper or wider. Samrijo Hospital is open 24×7, so drainage can be arranged at any hour when needed.
Will I get a fistula after an abscess?
Some people do. Studies suggest roughly one in three to one in two people develop a fistula after an anal abscess. Your surgeon will look for signs of a tract and review you at follow-up.
How long does the wound take to heal after drainage?
Small wounds may heal in two to three weeks; larger ones can take longer. Daily sitz baths and dressing as advised help the wound heal cleanly from the inside out. Healing time varies from person to person.
Should I squeeze or burst the boil myself?
No. Pressing on an anal abscess can push infection deeper and is very painful. Please see a doctor instead.
What does abscess drainage cost?
It depends on the size and depth of the abscess, the anaesthesia, stay, dressings and tests. Call 93196 62944 for an estimate.
गुदा के पास फोड़ा हो तो क्या करें?
गुदा के पास दर्द वाली, गर्म और सूजी हुई गाँठ फोड़ा (एब्सेस) हो सकती है। इसे खुद दबाएँ या फोड़ें नहीं। जल्दी डॉक्टर को दिखाएँ, क्योंकि ज़्यादातर मामलों में मवाद निकालना (ड्रेनेज) ज़रूरी होता है।
क्या फोड़े के बाद भगंदर बन सकता है?
हाँ, कुछ मरीज़ों में फोड़ा ठीक होने के बाद भगंदर (फिस्टुला) बन जाता है। इसलिए ड्रेनेज के बाद फ़ॉलो-अप ज़रूर करवाएँ।
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This page is for general health information only. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Every patient is different, so please consult a qualified doctor about your own condition and treatment. Medical disclaimer.