Also called: Boil, Carbuncle, Furuncle
What Is a Skin Abscess?
A skin abscess is the body's way of trying to heal from an infection. It can form after germs, usually bacteria, get into a cut in the skin and cause an infection.
When bacteria get into a cut, the body's immune system sends white blood cells to fight the infection. It's these white blood cells that can collect and make pus. If pus collects and can't drain out, the area forms a painful abscess.
What Causes a Skin Abscess?
Usually, the infection is caused by a type of staph bacteria. Staph — short for Staphylococcus (staf-uh-low-KAH-kus) — bacteria live on the skin. Staph aureus and MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staph aureus) are the most common bacteria that cause abscesses.