What are the dangers of prolonged perianal abscess?

If perianal abscess is not treated for a long time, it may lead to the spread of infection, the formation of anal fistula or systemic complications, and requires medical treatment as soon as possible, including surgical drainage, drug treatment and improved nursing care.

1. Spread of infection

Perianal abscess is a purulent infection of the tissues around the anus. If it is not treated for a long time, the local infection may spread to the surrounding tissues, leading to a larger range of abscesses, or even invading deep tissues, inducing serious problems such as pelvic abscesses. This expansion will not only increase the difficulty of treatment, but also cause the patient to suffer more severe pain and discomfort. The countermeasure is to go to the hospital for diagnosis as soon as possible. The doctor will generally use incision and drainage to remove the pus, and at the same time cooperate with antibiotic treatment to control the infection.

2. Development of anal fistula

Long-term untreated perianal abscesses can easily lead to anal fistulas. This is because fistulas form after the abscess ruptures. The presence of fistulas allows bacteria to infect the tissues around the anus for a long time, which in turn leads to repeated inflammation and increases the difficulty of treatment. Once an anal fistula develops, in most cases, surgery is required to remove the fistula, such as hanging thread therapy, fistula incision, or anal fistulectomy. After surgery, postoperative care is also required to avoid recurrence, including maintaining perianal hygiene, eating a light diet, and regular checkups.

3. Systemic complications

If perianal abscess is delayed to the late stage, the infection may further invade the blood and induce systemic complications such as bacteremia and sepsis. This is not only a deterioration of the local disease, but may even be life-threatening. For patients, timely medical treatment can avoid such serious consequences. Early local abscesses can be cured by surgical drainage, while the treatment of sepsis requires more powerful antibiotics and systemic supportive treatment.

4. Persistent pain and decreased quality of life

Recurrent perianal abscesses can cause patients to suffer from continuous swelling and pain, affecting their work and daily activities, leading to anxiety and even depression. In addition to surgical treatment, lifestyle adjustments can also be made, such as keeping the anus dry and clean, eating more high-fiber foods to prevent constipation, and avoiding sitting for long periods of time.

If perianal abscess is not treated for a long time, it will cause serious harm, and it is easy to cause the spread of infection, anal fistula and systemic lesions. It is recommended to treat it as soon as possible to avoid deterioration. If pain, redness, swelling or suppuration occurs around the anus, you should seek medical attention in time and take comprehensive measures such as surgery and medication to treat it, so as to fundamentally solve the problem and restore health.