Anal Abscesses

What are anal abscesses?

An anal abscess forms when pus builds up in the perianal area, which includes the rectum, anal canal, and anus. Anal abscesses cause continual throbbing pain and other symptoms such as:

• Swelling
• Rectal bleeding
• Tender anal skin
• Constipation
• Painful bowel movements
• Rectal discharge
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills

You might be able to feel a lump in your anus or anal canal. Abscesses farther up your rectum might cause abdominal pain.

Anal abscesses result from blockages in the mucus-producing anal glands. An untreated anal abscess can become infected and develop into a fistula — a tunnel between the anal canal and the perianal skin.   

Why would I get anal abscesses?

Anal abscesses are more likely to develop in people who have:

• Crohn’s disease
• Cancer
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Diabetes
• HIV/AIDS
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Anal injuries

Taking corticosteroid drugs like prednisone or undergoing chemotherapy can also increase your risk of developing anal abscesses. 

How are anal abscesses diagnosed?

Diagnosing anal abscesses involves having a physical exam to locate a visible abscess or openings in the skin around your anus. Your Bayou City Surgical Specialists provider also checks your medical history and reviews your symptoms.

Additional diagnostic tests, such as an ultrasound, MRI, or anoscopy, might be necessary to determine the location and depth of an abscess. Minimally invasive anoscopy involves opening up the anus with a speculum. This device expands inside the anus so your doctor can see the tissues clearly.

A colonoscopy might be necessary if your provider suspects you have a condition like Crohn’s disease that can affect other areas of your gastrointestinal system. Colonoscopy involves inserting a small camera on a long, flexible pipe (endoscope) into the anus that sends real-time images of the tissues to a monitor for your doctor to examine. 

How are anal abscesses treated?

If you have an anal abscess, your provider needs to drain all the pus from it to promote healing and relieve pain. Your Bayou City Surgical Specialists doctors can often do this in-office using a local anesthetic. Surgical drainage might be necessary if the abscess is particularly deep or large.

If you have an anal abscess, call Bayou City Surgical Specialists today or book an appointment online.