Treatment with drugs in the form of injections is often prescribed for various diseases, when it is required to deliver the medicine to the body as quickly or directly into the bloodstream. In this case, in comparison with the oral administration of medicaments, a faster therapeutic effect is achieved, the accuracy of dosing, and no stress on the digestive system. But, unfortunately, are not deprived of injection and adverse characteristics. So, in addition to uncomfortable, painful sensations during the procedure, there is a risk of developing some complications, one of which is post-injection abscess.
What is post-injection abscess?
Postinjection abscess is characterized by the formation of a purulent inflammatory cavity in the area of injection of the drug. In this case, the pathological focus is delimited from the surrounding healthy tissues by a pyogenic shell lined with granulation tissue and producing exudate.
Causes of post-injection abscess
Factors that can trigger the development of an abscess after intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection are:
- non-compliance with asepsis rules during the injection;
- a change in the reactivity of the human body (weakened immunity , the presence of autoimmune diseases);
- irritation of the tissues with some medicinal preparations (analgin, caffeine, magnesium sulfate or others), as a result of which an aseptic infiltrate can be formed, which subsequently inflames;
- infringement of injection technique penetration of the drug into the subcutaneous tissue (for example, due to the use of a short needle, insufficient depth of needle insertion);
- accidental ingress of a needle into a vessel, resulting in a hematoma that can inflame;
- repeated administration of drugs to the same site, which leads to a disruption of tissue nutrition and favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora.
Manifestations of post-injection abscesses
Here are the symptoms of an abscess:
- the appearance of painful compression in the area of injection;
- pain, initially not strong and disturbing during palpation and movement, and then constant, intense, pulsating;
- swelling, redness of the skin over the compaction site, and subsequently - its cyanosis;
- increased body temperature;
- general weakness.
Most often postinjection abscesses of the buttocks, hips, less often - on the elbow, in the subscapular region and the forearm.
Treatment of post-injection abscess
If symptoms of an abscess occur after the injection, the doctor should be consulted immediately. If the purulent abscess has not yet formed, and there is a subcutaneous infiltration, the treatment is limited to conservative methods, including:
- stopping the introduction of medications in this area;
- physiotherapeutic procedures ( electrophoresis , treatment with dynamic currents, compresses, etc.), contributing to resorption of the infiltrate;
- use of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs.
If these measures do not work, or the treatment begins already at the stage of the formed abscess, then surgical intervention is indicated. There is an opening of the purulent cavity, removal of its contents, washing with antiseptics and drainage. Depending on the location and depth of the pathological focus, the operation is performed under local or general anesthesia, in outpatient or inpatient settings. For example, in many cases in the treatment of postinjection abscesses of the gluteal region, especially in women with excessive body weight, without the use of general anesthesia, it is impossible to clear deep abscesses. In some cases, parallel antibiotic therapy is also indicated.
Prevention of post-injection abscesses
For the prevention of post-injection abscesses, the following basic rules should be observed:
- Strict adherence to sterility.
- The use of the correct injection technique, depending on the drug administered.
- Conducting a light massage in the area of injection for better resorption of the drug.
- The elimination of the introduction of solutions into the same point.