What is a preauricular abscess?

What is a preauricular abscess?

Preauricular sinus abscess is a common congenital external ear disease. This abscess is usually misdiagnosed because it is commonly overlooked during physical examination.

What causes an infection to the preauricular pit?

An infection arises in cases of preauricular sinus when the opening of the pit seals bacteria within the sinus tract along with desquamated skin. Early signs and symptoms of swelling, pain, and erythema should prompt the practitioner to begin antibiotic therapy directed at common skin bacterial organisms.

What is the preauricular pit discharge?

A preauricular sinus appears as a very small pit just in front of the external ear (see figure 1). Most people with preauricular sinuses are completely asymptomatic. However, these sinuses can drain a foul smelling discharge, and when this happens, they are prone to chronic infection.

What does preauricular mean?

A preauricular pit is a small hole in front of the ear, toward the face, that some people are born with. This hole is connected to an unusual sinus tract under the skin. This tract is a narrow passageway under the skin that can cause infection. Preauricular pits go by many names, including: preauricular cysts.

Where is the preauricular area?

The preauricular lymph nodes are the ones located just in front of your ears. They drain lymph fluid from the eyes, cheeks, and the scalp near your temples. Generally, lymph nodes swell in only one area of the body at a time (localized lymphadenopathy).

How is an infected preauricular pit treated?

Antibiotics (eg, cephalexin [Keflex], amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium [Augmentin], erythromycin) are indicated in patients with cellulitis from infected preauricular pits. Incision and drainage procedures may be required for patients with abscess formation.

How do I know if my preauricular pit is infected?

Signs and symptoms A visible tiny opening in front of one or both ears. An opening that appears as more of a dimpling. Swelling, pain, fever, redness or pus in and around the pit, signaling an infection, such as cellulitis or an abscess.

How do you treat preauricular sinus infection?

Chronic preauricular abscesses can be managed by sinus/cyst excision and subcutaneous abscess curettage without resection of the abscess wall or overlying skin. This leads to consistent control and favorable cosmesis.

What type of infection is an abscess?

An abscess is a painful collection of pus, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Abscesses can develop anywhere in the body.

Does abscess mean?

An abscess is a painful collection of pus, usually caused by a bacterial infection. Abscesses can develop anywhere in the body. This article focuses on 2 types of abscess: skin abscesses – which develop under the skin.

How do you treat an infected preauricular pit?

What is in an abscess?

A cavity is created, which fills with pus to form an abscess. The pus contains a mixture of dead tissue, white blood cells and bacteria. The abscess may get larger and more painful as the infection continues and more pus is produced.

What causes abscess?

Most abscesses are caused by a bacterial infection. When bacteria enter your body, your immune system sends infection-fighting white blood cells to the affected area. As the white blood cells attack the bacteria, some nearby tissue dies, creating a hole which then fills with pus to form an abscess.

What happens if you pop an abscess?

If you think you have a skin abscess, avoid touching, pushing, popping, or squeezing it. Doing that can spread the infection or push it deeper inside the body, making things worse.

When is an abscess serious?

Call your doctor if your abscess fails to heal after two weeks, or if it increases in size and pain over time. You should also contact your doctor if your abscess is accompanied by: A fever. Increasing pain, or a throbbing sensation.

What is inside an abscess?

Abscess Overview Abscesses are often easy to feel by touching. The vast majority of them are caused by infections. Inside, they are full of pus, bacteria and debris. Painful and warm to touch, abscesses can show up any place on your body.