Do you have a painful abscess near your anus? Let's talk about this anal abscess.

Have you ever had a painful, sore lump in your anus, around the anus? Today we're going to talk about this condition that makes you feel embarrassed to tell anyone about it, and can cause severe pain even when you sit down. This is not normal, but don't be afraid. Many people confuse this with hemorrhoids. But the two are completely different. Let's see what an anal fissure is, why it forms, and what to do about it.

What exactly is an anal abscess?

Simply put, an anal abscess is a painful, pus-filled lump that forms under the skin near your anus or the end of your rectum. It's just like a boil that forms anywhere else on your skin. Most of the time, about 90% of the time, these lumps form when the small glands inside your anus become blocked and become infected with bacteria. There are several types of abscesses, depending on where they occur, but there are two main types.

• Perianal Abscess: This is the most common type. These develop near the anal opening, under the skin. This is why we can feel the abscess , it is red and swollen. It also feels hot to the touch.
• Perirectal Abscess: These develop deep inside the rectum. They are difficult to diagnose because they are not visible from the outside. They can often be associated with other intestinal conditions, such as Crohn's disease .

The relationship between anal cyst and anal fistula

This is also very important. About 50% of people who develop an anal fistula may develop a complication called ``Anal Fistula.'' This fistula may often leak pus, and possibly a little stool or blood, onto the skin surface. Sometimes, if the mouth of this fistula closes, the pus can collect again and form a new abscess. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical treatment for both of these conditions.

What are the causes and risk factors for the formation of these tumors?

You may be wondering, "Why did this happen to me?" There are several main causes and several risk factors that can contribute to this. The main causes are:

• Blocked anal glands - This is the main cause.
• Infection of anal fissures.
• Sexually transmitted diseases .
• Any accidents or injuries to the anus.
• Infections and diseases of the intestines (such as IBD ).

Do you also have these symptoms?

Symptoms may vary depending on whether an anal fissure is superficial or deep.

Is this a hemorrhoid or a pus-filled cyst?

This is where many people get confused. You might think, "This could be hemorrhoids." But these are two completely different conditions. Hemorrhoids are not an infection, they are swollen blood vessels in the rectum. Check out this chart to understand the difference between the two.

How is it treated?

If you have a cyst like this, it's very important to see a doctor as soon as possible. These cysts often don't heal on their own.

Medical treatment (Surgical Drainage)

The best and safest treatment for this is to remove the pus through surgery (Surgical Drainage). Don't worry, this is not a major surgery.

• Superficial abscesses: You can get numbing medicine right in the doctor's office (OPD), make a small incision, and remove the pus.
• Deep abscesses: These may require hospitalization and surgical drainage under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

After the pus is removed, stitches are usually not placed. The wound is left open to heal.

During the healing process after removing the pus...

• Painkillers: You can use painkillers or medications such as paracetamol prescribed by your doctor.
• Antibiotics: For people with conditions like diabetes or if the infection is severe, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. It is important to take the full course of medication as prescribed.
• Sitz Bath: Sit in a basin of clean, warm water for 10-15 minutes several times a day. This can reduce pain, keep the wound clean, and speed up healing.
• Laxatives: Your doctor may prescribe these to reduce pain during bowel movements.

Complications that may occur if left untreated

Even this simple tumor can lead to serious conditions if not treated properly.

• Formation of an anal fistula .
• The spread of infection to the bloodstream (Sepsis) . This can be a life-threatening condition.
• Recurrence of the tumor.
• Fournier's gangrene , a rare but very severe infection.
• Inability to control bowel movements (incontinence).

Therefore, if you have any of these symptoms, don't be shy and see your doctor without delay. Prompt treatment can prevent all these complications and lead to a full recovery. Anal abscess sinhala, anal abscess, hemorrhoids, fistula sinhala, pus abscess, rectal pain