What can be done to prevent the condition?

Prevention of a skin abscess starts with good hygiene. Any breaks in the skin, such as cuts, bites, or scratches, should be cleaned with soap and water before applying a bandage. The area should be kept clean until the skin has healed over.

Surgical wounds should be kept sterile, following the wound care instructions from the healthcare provider.

People with diabetes need to be careful with wounds to their feet or legs. Diabetes causes neuropathy, or nerve damage, which can result in a lack of feeling in the legs and feet. Because people with diabetes may not be aware of a foot injury, they should inspect their feet daily for any cuts or abnormal areas. Diabetes also causes poor circulation, which means wounds do not heal well. A skin abscess is therefore more difficult to treat in people with diabetes.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

A skin abscess can cause scarring and recurring lesions. Deep skin abscesses can spread and cause a blood infection known as sepsis. If the infection reaches the heart valves, it can cause an infection known as endocarditis. The abscess can also spread into underlying bones, causing the bone infection known as osteomyelitis.

What are the risks to others?

If the abscesses are caused by bacteria, the infection can be spread to others by skin-to-skin contact.