• Incision & Drainage (I&D)
(Treatment for painful boils, abscesses, and infected cysts)
What Is Incision & Drainage (I&D)?
Incision and Drainage (I&D) is a minor in-office procedure used to treat:
- Abscesses
- Boils (furuncles)
- Carbuncles
- Infected cysts
- Localized collections of pus under the skin
When pus becomes trapped beneath the skin, antibiotics alone may not fully resolve the infection. I&D allows the infection to drain so the area can heal properly.
What Does an Abscess Look Like?
Common signs include:
- Painful swollen bump
- Redness and warmth
- Tenderness
- Pus or drainage
- Pressure or throbbing sensation
Some abscesses may also cause fever or fatigue.
What Causes Abscesses or Boils?
Most are caused by bacteria entering the skin through:
- Hair follicles
- Small cuts or irritation
- Ingrown hairs
- Blocked oil glands
Some infections are related to staph bacteria, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection.
What Happens During an I&D Procedure?
Incision & drainage is usually performed in the office under local anesthesia.
During the procedure:
- The skin is cleaned
- Numbing medicine is injected
- A small opening is made in the abscess
- Pus and infected material are drained
- The area may be rinsed or packed with gauze
- A dressing is applied
The procedure is typically quick and helps relieve pressure and pain.
Will I Need Antibiotics?
Sometimes.
Your dermatologist will decide based on:
- Size of infection
- Location
- Surrounding redness
- Fever or systemic symptoms
- Risk factors for MRSA
Some abscesses heal well after drainage alone.
How Long Does Healing Take?
Healing depends on:
- Size of the abscess
- Location
- Underlying health conditions
Many smaller areas improve within 1–2 weeks.
Pre-Op Instructions (Before I&D)
Before your visit
- Eat normally unless instructed otherwise
- Tell us if you:
- Take blood thinners
- Have diabetes
- Have immune system problems
- Have allergies to medications or anesthetics
Do NOT
- Squeeze or aggressively pop the abscess at home
- Apply irritating chemicals or harsh products
Post-Op Instructions (After I&D)
What’s normal
- Mild soreness
- Continued drainage for 1–2 days
- Mild swelling or tenderness
Aftercare
- Keep the area clean and covered
- Change dressings as directed
- Wash hands before and after touching the area
- Complete prescribed antibiotics if given
- Avoid squeezing or picking
Packing
Some wounds are loosely packed with gauze and may require:
- Dressing changes
- Follow-up visits
- Packing removal
Call the office if
- Redness spreads
- Fever develops
- Pain worsens significantly
- Drainage becomes excessive
- You develop increasing swelling or warmth