Abscesses are collections of pus that occur within the middle and deepest layers of the skin. While they can occur anywhere, the most common locations for abscesses to develop are the groin, buttocks, armpit, and extremities. Your medical provider can differentiate between cellulitis and abscess, as the treatment for former is antibiotic therapy while the latter requires drainage.
Certain locations on the body make bedside incision and drainage more difficult to perform due to area sensitivity and other issues. These should be evaluated by a surgeon due their potential for complications.
Depending on the size and location of the abscess, the patient will receive either local or regional anesthesia. After the abscess is completely drained, the wound is well irrigated to eliminate bacteria and covered with sterile dressing and tape. Patients will then be informed as to how to keep the site clean and prevent subsequent issues.