Symptoms of an abscess.
Recognize these warning signs early — quick treatment leads to better outcomes and prevents spreading infection.
Common causes.
Understanding what's causing your symptoms helps guide the right diagnostic tests and treatment.
- ✓ Staph or strep bacterial infection
- ✓ MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph)
- ✓ Ingrown hair or folliculitis
- ✓ Pilonidal cyst
- ✓ Hidradenitis suppurativa
- ✓ Diabetic skin infection
Don't wait. Come now if…
- ▸Painful red lump that feels soft or fluctuant (filled with fluid)
- ▸Fever accompanying a skin infection
- ▸Spreading redness or red streaks from the wound
- ▸Abscess on the face, hands, or genitals
- ▸Recurring abscesses — possible MRSA colonization
- ▸Diabetic patient with any skin infection
Not sure? Call us.
Our nurses can help you decide.
Treatments we offer.
Our Fort Worth ER is fully equipped to evaluate and treat skin abscesses 24/7 — often in a single visit.
Incision & drainage
Performed under local anesthesia for complete pain control — the abscess is opened and drained the same visit.
Wound culture
Swab sent to the lab to identify MRSA and determine the most effective antibiotic if needed.
Wound packing
Gauze packing placed inside larger abscesses to keep the wound open and allow complete drainage.
Antibiotics
Prescribed when cellulitis is present, fever is elevated, or the patient is immunocompromised or diabetic.
Follow-up wound check
Follow-up instructions and referral for wound check — usually within 48 hours to ensure proper healing.
MRSA-specific treatment
Targeted antibiotic selection and decolonization guidance for patients with confirmed or suspected MRSA.
Why ER Of Fort Worth for abscess care.
Average wait under 10 min
You are brought back quickly — no long waits when you have a painful, worsening infection.
Board-certified ER physicians
Every patient is evaluated by an emergency-medicine-trained physician, 24/7. Never a mid-level alone.
On-site imaging & labs
Ultrasound to assess depth, wound cultures and labs — everything needed for a complete diagnosis in one visit.
All major insurance
BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Medicare, Tricare and more. See full list →
Frequently asked questions.
Does abscess drainage hurt?
Local anesthesia is used to thoroughly numb the area before any incision. You may feel pressure but pain is well controlled throughout the procedure.
Will I need antibiotics?
Most simple abscesses just need drainage — the procedure itself is the treatment. Antibiotics are added when cellulitis, fever, or high-risk conditions are present.
How long does an abscess take to heal?
With proper wound care and drainage, most abscesses heal within 1–3 weeks. Larger abscesses or those in high-risk patients may take longer.
Can I drain an abscess at home?
No — improper drainage can push infection deeper, spread it to surrounding tissue, or introduce new bacteria. Always have abscesses professionally evaluated and drained.
What is MRSA?
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a type of staph bacteria resistant to many common antibiotics. It is a frequent cause of skin abscesses and we treat it routinely with targeted antibiotics and proper drainage.
Abscess care across North Texas.
We serve patients needing abscess drainage from Fort Worth and surrounding communities including: