<P> Skin abscesses are common, and have become more common in recent years . Risk factors include intravenous drug use with rates reported as high as 65% in this population . In 2005 in the United States, 3.2 million people went to the emergency department for an abscess . In Australia around 13,000 people were hospitalized in 2008 with the condition . </P> <P> Abscesses may occur in any kind of solid tissue but most frequently on skin surface (where they may be superficial pustules (boils) or deep skin abscesses), in the lungs, brain, teeth, kidneys, and tonsils . Major complications are spreading of the abscess material to adjacent or remote tissues, and extensive regional tissue death (gangrene). </P> <P> The main symptoms and signs of a skin abscess are redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function . There may also be high temperature (fever) and chills . </P> <P> An internal abscess is more difficult to identify, but signs include pain in the affected area, a high temperature, and generally feeling unwell . Internal abscesses rarely heal themselves, so prompt medical attention is indicated if such an abscess is suspected . An abscess could potentially be fatal (although this is rare) if it compresses vital structures such as the trachea in the context of a deep neck abscess . </P>

What does an abscess look like on skin