Standard for spontaneous healing of perianal abscess in infants

Perianal abscesses in infants are usually difficult to heal on their own. Once discovered, intervention should be made as soon as possible to avoid development into more serious diseases.

Perianal abscess is a common perianal problem in infants. It is essentially a pus cavity formed by bacteria at the junction of the local skin around the anus and the intestinal wall. The main manifestations are local redness, swelling, and nodules in the perianal skin, and the baby cries or feels uncomfortable when touched. If the abscess is not treated in time, it may cause the abscess to penetrate the skin and even develop into anal fistula, that is, an abnormal channel is formed between the abscess cavity and the rectum, which is more complicated and difficult to treat.

In the mild stage of perianal abscess in infants, the volume is small and the pus accumulation is small. Some of it can be gradually absorbed by the baby's own immune system to fight inflammation. At this time, the redness and swelling can subside on their own and the skin returns to normal. However, this situation accounts for a relatively low proportion. It is difficult for most infants' abscesses to be healed by the body on their own. When pus accumulates too much, it is easy to spread and cause persistent infection. In addition, the baby's skin barrier is weak and the immune system has not yet fully developed, which further increases the difficulty of natural healing. If parents have the mentality of "watch for a while and then see", it may delay the best time for treatment.

When the baby's perianal skin is found to be red and swollen, regardless of whether there are pus spots, the perianal area should be cleaned immediately and observed for pus exudation. Once the lump is significantly enlarged, hardened, or the skin is damaged, it is necessary to consult a professional doctor to determine the size of the abscess and the extent of the infection. If it is confirmed to be a mild infection, you can try to relieve the symptoms by keeping the anus clean and dry, taking warm water sitz baths regularly, and reducing the length of time the baby stays in the same position. However, if the symptoms do not improve or even worsen, further clinical intervention is required, such as local incision and drainage or antibiotic treatment, to eliminate the source of infection as soon as possible and prevent complications.

During daily care, parents need to pay attention to the baby's bowel movements to avoid skin cracks caused by constipation, which increases the risk of infection. At the same time, change diapers frequently to keep the skin around the anus dry and reduce the breeding ground for bacteria. If abnormalities are found in the skin around the anus, early intervention is the key.