Abscess Drainage

A pimple that grew, turned hard, red and hot, and now throbs with pain: it is an abscess, a pocket of pus that antibiotics alone will not cure. It has to be opened and emptied. At Clínica Hispana Nueva Salud Pasadena it is drained under local anesthesia, with no appointment, and you leave relieved the same day.

How do I know it is an abscess?

It starts as a pimple or a bite and within days becomes a painful lump, red, warm and soft in the center, sometimes with a white point where the pus wants out. It is common in the armpits, groin, buttocks, back and thighs, and in people who shave or sweat a lot. If you also have fever, chills or the redness spreads fast, come that same day.

Why is an antibiotic not enough?

Because the pus is walled off and the medication does not reach well inside. The treatment is to open and drain; an antibiotic is added when there is cellulitis around it, fever, several abscesses, diabetes or weak immunity. Squeezing it at home pushes the infection deeper and makes things worse.

What is the drainage like?

The area is cleaned and numbed with a local injection; the physician makes a small incision, empties the pus, washes the cavity and, if it is large, leaves a gauze inside (packing) so it keeps draining and does not close falsely. It is covered with a dressing. It takes 15 to 30 minutes. Pain relief is almost immediate because the pressure is gone.

What care is needed afterward?

Change the dressing once or twice a day, wash with soap and water in the shower, do not soak the area in a tub or pool, and return in 24 to 48 hours to check and remove or change the packing. The wound closes on its own from the inside in one or two weeks. Come sooner if there is more pain, fever or spreading redness.

Why do I keep getting abscesses?

Skin bacteria such as staph, including the resistant kind (MRSA), uncontrolled diabetes, shaving that irritates, tight clothing and sweat. When they recur, the pus is sent for culture to identify the bacteria, glucose is checked and measures are given to reduce relapses.

How much does abscess drainage cost in Pasadena?

We give you the price by phone at (281) 747-8817. Follow-up checks are quoted as wound care. No health insurance is needed; we accept cash and cards.

What is the visit like?

Walk in from 9 AM to 9 PM; no fasting needed. Bring your medication list and say if you take blood thinners or are allergic to local anesthesia. Later dressings are done under wound care. If an abscess is on the face, near the anus or very large and deep, the physician may direct you to the emergency room or surgery.

Medical center near you in Pasadena and Houston, TX

We are a Hispanic clinic in the Houston, TX area: we care for patients across Pasadena and South Houston, South Belt, Genoa, Sagemont, Galena Park, Deer Park, Hobby (Houston) and surrounding communities.