Which department should children with perianal abscess go to?

Children with perianal abscess should be referred to pediatric surgery, because it is a purulent lesion of perianal tissue caused by infection, and usually requires diagnosis and treatment by a professional surgeon. Some general hospitals may not have a separate pediatric surgery department, in which case you can choose to refer to the surgery department or anorectal department. Timely treatment is critical to prevent the condition from worsening.

1. Causes of perianal abscess in children

The main cause of perianal abscess is local tissue infection. When bacteria invade the perianal skin or submucosal tissue, it will cause suppuration and form a purulent cavity. The following are common causes:

Physiological factors: Children’s immune systems are not yet fully developed, and the tolerance of the skin around the anus is weak, making them easily invaded by pathogens.

Environmental factors: Unhygienic care habits, such as using diapers for a long time without changing them in time, can lead to perianal eczema and infection.

Digestive disorders: Common gastrointestinal problems such as constipation or diarrhea can cause friction or irritation in the perianal area, increasing the likelihood of infection.

2. How to treat perianal abscess in children?

Treatment of perianal abscesses mainly includes conservative treatment and surgical intervention, depending on the severity of the infection:

Drug treatment: Mild infections can be treated by applying anti-inflammatory ointments or taking antibiotics to reduce inflammation. For example, erythromycin ointment can be applied topically, and cephalosporin antibiotics can be taken orally as recommended by the doctor if necessary.

Surgery: If an abscess has formed and is painful, it is usually necessary to drain it surgically. During surgery, the doctor will clean out the pus to prevent the infection from spreading.

Nursing support: Maintain good perianal hygiene, take a daily warm water sitz bath to help relieve pain and speed up recovery, and change diapers frequently to keep dry.

3. Medical advice and prevention

If perianal abscess is not treated in time, it may deteriorate into anal fistula, which will affect the child's health in the long term, so it is important to seek medical attention in time. In daily life, pay more attention to the following points to reduce the risk of recurrence:

Improve nursing hygiene: Clean your baby's perianal area regularly, especially after bowel movements, using warm water to pat and clean.

Improve eating habits: Provide children with a diet rich in dietary fiber to avoid constipation or diarrhea. Common ingredients such as carrots, applesauce, pumpkin, etc. can help digestion.

Pay attention to wearing comfort: choose diapers or small clothes with good breathability to avoid long-term moisture and friction.

Although perianal abscesses are common in children, most have a good prognosis as long as they are discovered in time and treated scientifically. Parents should pay special attention to their baby's perianal health in daily care. If symptoms such as redness, swelling, fever, and pain occur, they should take their baby to the hospital for professional help as soon as possible. This will not only help to quickly resolve the condition, but also provide a better recovery experience for the child.