Treatment of Uncomplicated Abscesses: Management Strategies for the Primary Care and Emergency Medicine Physician

Patients commonly present to primary care and emergency physicians with skin and soft tissue infections. An uncomplicated skin abscess is defined as a localized collection of pus in the subcutaneous tissues of the body. An abscess can generally be treated with incision and drainage alone, even in the era of increased Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus. The use of routine antibiotics is controversial but is not supported by current evidence. Wound cultures may be reserved for patients who are immunocompromised or have recurrent or non-healing infections. Further study is needed to evaluate optimal management strategies to prevent recurrence rates.