How to change dressings for perianal abscess during menstruation?

Written by He Cai Dong

Colorectal Surgery Department

Updated on February 28, 2025

00:00

00:00

Dressing changes during menstruation for perianal abscesses require cleansing with warm water after defecation. Sitz baths are not recommended as they may lead to gynecological infections. After thoroughly cleaning the area, it can be wiped with iodine. A hemorrhoid suppository should then be inserted into the anus, and hemorrhoid cream or an anti-inflammatory ointment can be applied to the wound. Covering with a piece of gauze can have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Secure it with adhesive tape, and decide the frequency of dressing changes based on the amount of wound excretion. If there is a lot of excretion, it is advised to change the dressing twice a day, in the morning and evening. If the excretion is minimal and there is no feeling of moisture or discomfort, changing the dressing once a day after defecation is sufficient. At the same time, pay attention to a light diet.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

53sec

home-news-image

How to operate on a perianal abscess

The surgical methods for perianal abscess vary depending on the location of the lesion. If it is a simple ischiorectal fossa subcutaneous abscess, a one-time incision and drainage surgery is generally used. The local wound is debrided and necrotic tissue is removed. After trimming the wound, it is important to maintain clear drainage of the local wound. Local application of gauze strips for compression and drainage treatment can be used. If the abscess is in the ischioanal fossa or the pelvirectal space, considering that the location of the lesion is deep, a one-time incision and seton drainage radical surgery may be required for the perianal abscess. Post-surgery, thorough disinfection and drainage of the local wound are also necessary.

home-news-image

Written by Li Jiao Yan

Neonatology

58sec

home-news-image

Can a perianal abscess in children heal by itself?

Although they are all perianal abscesses, each child's condition is different. The size of the perianal abscesses varies; some are as small as a grain of rice and may heal on their own, but there are also larger ones the size of a walnut, or even cause the entire buttock area to become swollen and red. Such cases require hospitalization, especially for younger children who also exhibit systemic symptoms like fever. They generally require hospital treatment. Meanwhile, it is recommended that parents take good care of the baby's perianal area, maintain a healthy diet and bowel habits, avoid diarrhea and constipation, ensure cleanliness around the anal area, and use soft, non-irritating wet wipes when cleaning the area to avoid friction injuries that could lead to infections, as the skin of small infants is very delicate.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

46sec

home-news-image

Why is a perianal abscess so painful?

During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, the intense pain is mainly due to the formation of an abscess and pus pockets in the subcutaneous area around the anus. The pus within these cavities cannot rupture, causing localized skin nerves to experience pecking-like or jumping pain. The pain from a perianal abscess is generally unbearable for patients, necessitating prompt surgical treatment. The surgical approach for a perianal abscess primarily involves incision and drainage, followed by debridement of the abscess cavity. It is important to note that postoperative disinfection and dressing changes of the local wound are crucial to prevent false healing of the wound.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

59sec

home-news-image

Which department should I go to for perianal abscess?

During the acute phase of a perianal abscess, patients experience significant local redness, swelling, heat, and pain around the anus. The pain is severe and in some cases, patients are unable to sit or walk normally due to the discomfort. During this acute phase, the swelling of the skin around the anus can easily be confused with skin carbuncles, leading patients to mistakenly visit a dermatologist. However, a perianal abscess is a local anal disease that requires registration with a colorectal surgery department, as it is not merely a skin carbuncle but an infection caused by an infection at the anal crypts inside the anal canal. This necessitates prompt surgical incision and drainage, and, if a fistula has formed, a fistulotomy may also be necessary.

home-news-image

Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

50sec

home-news-image

Anal abscess should visit which department?

Perianal abscess is a common disease in proctology, generally involving an infection of the local anal crypts and submucosal tissues near the anus. When a perianal abscess acutely flares, it is necessary to register with the department of coloproctology and undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible to prevent the abscess from expanding and leading to a systemic infection. The primary surgical treatment for perianal abscesses is a onetime radical surgery, but when there are changes resembling anal fistulas or leakage, options may also include incision, drainage, and seton procedures. After surgery, it is necessary to disinfect the local wound daily and ensure that the wound drainage is unobstructed.