figure1

Diagnosis of abscess is often made by observation of a tender, erythematous, warm, fluctuant mass on physical examination such as that noted in Figure 1.  Fluctuance can be described as a tense area of skin with a wave-like or boggy feeling upon palpation; this is the pus which has accumulated beneath the epidermis.  Without adequate evacuation of this pus, the infection will continue to accumulate and can lead to disseminated or systemic infection.