health

Skin abscesses sometimes need to be drained before they can heal, although
most of the time they heal on their own without medical treatment. Skin
abscesses are often treated at home by applying warm compresses. The
abscess usually comes to a head on its own, then begins to drain and heals
soon afterward.
Boils and carbuncles that do not drain on their own should not be
squeezed or lanced (cut open) to remove pus by anyone but a healthcare
provider. Trying at home to puncture a boil could force the infection
deeper into the skin and spread the bacteria. Skin abscesses that do not
improve on their own will need to be lanced by a doctor to prevent the
infection from becoming worse. The area is thoroughly cleaned before
it is lanced, and antibiotics are sometimes prescribed. Most carbuncles
require antibiotic treatment.
Internal abscesses are usually treated with surgical drainage and antibiotics.
If a dental abscess is not treated with antibiotics it can destroy
the root of a tooth, leading to the need for a root canal* procedure or the
removal of the entire tooth.