How is an abscess diagnosed?
ANSWER
The doctor will take a medical history and may ask you:
The doctor will examine the abscess and surrounding area. If it is near your anus, the doctor will perform a rectal exam.
If an arm or leg is involved, the doctor will feel for a lymph gland either in your groin or under your arm.
- How long the abscess has been present
- If you recall any injury to that area
- What medicines you may be taking
- If you have any allergies
- If you have had a fever at home
From: Abscess WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by Sabrina Felson on October 12, 2017
Authors and Editors
Author: William T Durkin Jr, MD, FAAEM, Consulting Staff, Emergency Care Dynamics.
Editors: Steven C Gabaeff, MD, FAAEM, Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine, Sutter Amador Hospital, Jackson, CA; Expert Consultant, Medical Board of California, Sacramento, CA; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; Anthony Anker, MD, FAAEM, Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg, VA.
Authors and Editors
Author: William T Durkin Jr, MD, FAAEM, Consulting Staff, Emergency Care Dynamics.
Editors: Steven C Gabaeff, MD, FAAEM, Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine, Sutter Amador Hospital, Jackson, CA; Expert Consultant, Medical Board of California, Sacramento, CA; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; Anthony Anker, MD, FAAEM, Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg, VA.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.