abscess cyst
Bartholin Cyst and Abscess. There are two Bartholin glands, located on each side of the vaginal opening at the level of the posterior fourchette, or at about the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock position. Each gland is about the size of a pea. Normally, they are neither visible nor palpable. Abscess causes. Abscesses are caused by obstruction of oil-producing (sebaceous) glands or sweat glands, inflammation of hair follicles, or from minor breaks and punctures of the skin. Germs (bacteria) get under the skin or into these glands, which causes an inflammatory response as your body's defences try to kill the bacteria. For Bartholin's abscesses and cysts that are symptomatic (large or painful), the treatment is drainage. An abscess is an infection within an enclosed space, and antibiotics do not adequately enter into the enclosed space. Therefore, treatment of an abscess almost always requires that the infection be drained. If the fluid within the cyst becomes infected, you may develop a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue (abscess). A Bartholin's cyst or abscess is common. Treatment of a Bartholin's cyst depends on the size of the cyst, how painful the cyst is and whether the cyst is infected. Sometimes home treatment is all you need. In other cases, surgical drainage of the Bartholin's cyst is necessary. An abscess is a tender, soft, swelling filled with pus, often surrounded by an area of skin coloured from pink to deep red. An abscess can be painful and warm to touch, and can appear anywhere on your body. The most common sites are in your armpits (axillae), areas around your anus and vagina (Bartholin's abscess), the base of your spine (pilonidal abscess), around a tooth ( dental abscess), and in your groin. Bartholin Cyst and Abscess. 1  There are two Bartholin glands, located on each side of the vaginal opening at the level of the posterior fourchette, or at about the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock position. 2  These glands produce small amounts of secretions from their cuboidal epithelial lining that are not clinically significant. There’s a type of cyst you can get at the bottom of your tailbone, or coccyx. It’s called a pilonidal cyst, and it can become infected and filled with pus. Once infected, the technical term is “pilonidal abscess,” and it can be painful. It looks like a large pimple at the bottom of your tailbone. It is more common in men than in women. It usually happens more often in younger people. Bartholin's Cyst Follow-up. 1  Women who have had a Bartholin's cyst or abscess drained should follow up in 24-48 hours for recheck and possible removal of packing material. In the meantime, sitz baths should be taken to continue drainage. 2  Contact the doctor if the packing falls out prematurely. Bartholin Cyst and Abscess. 1  There are two Bartholin glands, located on each side of the vaginal opening at the level of the posterior fourchette, or at about the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock position. Each gland is about the size of a pea. In general, the diagnosis of Bartholin's cyst or abscess is made by physical examination. In many cases, no additional testing is needed. Sometimes cultures are taken to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection and to check for sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
If the fluid within the cyst becomes infected, it can develop a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue (abscess).