How long can I ignore an abscess? Understanding the Dangerous Risks

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, many abscesses, particularly dental ones, will not heal on their own and require professional intervention. While some minor skin abscesses might resolve naturally, the decision of how long can I ignore an abscess? is fraught with risk, as the infection can spread and become life-threatening if left untreated.

Quick Summary

Ignoring an abscess can cause severe, life-threatening health complications, such as sepsis and widespread infection. Prompt treatment, often requiring professional drainage and antibiotics, is crucial for safe and effective resolution, as the infection will not disappear on its own.

Key Points

An abscess will not heal on its own: Especially for dental and internal abscesses, professional medical treatment is essential to eliminate the infection.
Ignoring an abscess is extremely dangerous: The infection can spread to other parts of the body, leading to severe complications like sepsis and tissue death.
Never attempt to drain an abscess yourself: Squeezing or picking at an abscess can push the infection deeper into the tissue, making the problem significantly worse.
Understand the type of abscess: The risks and recommended treatment for a skin abscess differ significantly from those for a dental or internal abscess.
Recognize signs of a medical emergency: Symptoms like high fever, difficulty breathing, or extensive swelling require immediate emergency medical attention.
Immune system health affects risk: Individuals with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for rapid progression and severe complications from an untreated abscess.

An abscess is a localized collection of pus that forms inside the body's tissue in response to an infection. While often mistaken for a harmless pimple or minor inflammation, an abscess, especially when internal or dental, represents a serious medical condition that demands professional evaluation. The temptation to ignore the issue can lead to catastrophic consequences.

The Urgent Dangers of Delaying Treatment

The most critical takeaway is that an abscess is not a condition that should be ignored or managed with home remedies alone. The encapsulated nature of the infection makes it difficult for the body's immune system to clear it entirely without help. Waiting allows the bacteria to multiply and potentially spread to other parts of the body, transforming a localized problem into a systemic, life-threatening one.

Potential Complications of an Untreated Abscess

Sepsis: When the bacterial infection from the abscess enters the bloodstream, it can cause sepsis, a life-threatening complication that leads to widespread inflammation and organ damage.
Widespread Infection: A localized abscess can spread to surrounding tissues, affecting nearby bones, organs, and other structures. For instance, a dental abscess can spread to the jawbone, neck, and sinuses, potentially reaching the brain.
Tissue Death (Gangrene): As the infection spreads, it can destroy surrounding soft tissue, a condition known as necrotizing fasciitis.
Increased Pain and Swelling: Ignoring an abscess causes it to grow and fill with more pus, increasing pressure and making it more painful. The swelling can obstruct airways, especially with dental or neck abscesses, making it difficult to breathe or swallow.
Organ-Specific Damage: Internal abscesses in the liver, brain, or lungs can severely impair organ function and have high mortality rates if not treated immediately.

Types of Abscesses and Their Progression

The timeline and severity of a neglected abscess depend heavily on its location and the type of bacteria involved. Abscesses can form anywhere in the body, but some of the most common include:

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess typically results from an untreated cavity, crack, or injury that allows bacteria to infect the tooth's pulp. It progresses through the following stages:

Enamel and Dentin Decay: Plaque erodes the tooth's protective layers, causing sensitivity.
Pulp Infection: Bacteria reach the inner pulp, causing intense pain. The nerve may eventually die, causing the pain to subside, a misleading sign that the problem is gone.
Abscess Formation: A pocket of pus forms at the root, leading to swelling and heightened sensitivity.
Spread of Infection: If untreated, the infection can spread beyond the tooth's root to the jawbone, sinuses, and other parts of the body. This can lead to life-threatening complications, including sepsis and brain abscesses.

Skin Abscess

Skin abscesses, often called boils, occur when bacteria enter a hair follicle or minor wound. Some small skin abscesses may rupture and drain on their own with warm compresses, but larger or persistent ones are a different story. Ignoring a significant skin abscess can lead to:

Increased Size: The bump continues to grow, becoming more painful and engorged with pus.
Spontaneous Rupture: The abscess may burst unexpectedly, which can spread the infection and lead to re-infection or deeper complications.
Cellulitis: A deeper and wider-spread infection of the skin.

Internal Abscess

Internal abscesses form within organs or body cavities and are always a medical emergency. These are often difficult to detect and can be caused by various infections or trauma. Symptoms vary widely depending on the location but can include fever, chills, and organ-specific pain. These abscesses require immediate medical intervention for drainage, often through a needle aspiration guided by imaging.

Key Differences Between Abscess Types


Feature	Dental Abscess	Skin Abscess	Internal Abscess
Severity	High risk, can be life-threatening.	Low to moderate risk; small ones may resolve, but large ones require treatment.	High risk, always a medical emergency.
Does it heal on its own?	No. Professional treatment is always required.	Small abscesses might resolve, but larger or persistent ones won't.	No. Requires immediate medical intervention.
Primary Treatment	Root canal or tooth extraction, plus drainage and antibiotics.	Warm compresses (for small ones) or incision and drainage by a doctor.	Needle aspiration or surgical drainage, often with antibiotics.
Main Dangers	Sepsis, spread to jaw/neck/brain, tooth loss.	Sepsis, MRSA infection, deep tissue infection.	Organ failure, sepsis, fatality.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Care

If you have a suspected abscess, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider promptly. However, certain symptoms indicate a spreading infection and require immediate medical attention, even at an emergency room or urgent care facility.

Signs of a Medical Emergency:

High or prolonged fever.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Extensive swelling of the face, neck, or cheek.
Severe pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter medication.
Rapidly spreading redness and warmth from the site of the abscess.
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or confusion.
Fainting or decreased consciousness.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Ignoring an Abscess

The simple answer to the question of how long can I ignore an abscess? is: you shouldn't. While the precise timeline for complications varies depending on the abscess's type and location, waiting allows the underlying infection to progress and potentially spread to a degree that becomes life-threatening. A small, early-stage problem can quickly escalate into a serious medical emergency, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. Do not attempt to drain an abscess yourself, as this can force the infection deeper into the tissues. Seek professional medical evaluation immediately to ensure the infection is properly treated and to prevent severe, and potentially fatal, complications. For more detailed information on abscesses and their treatment, consult resources from a reputable healthcare provider like the Cleveland Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should never attempt to drain or squeeze an abscess yourself. This can push the bacteria deeper into your tissues, spreading the infection and causing more severe complications.

Antibiotics alone are usually not enough to cure an abscess because the pus is contained within a walled-off pocket. The abscess must be drained for the antibiotics to be fully effective and to eliminate the infection.

No, this is a dangerous misconception. The pain from a dental abscess, for example, may stop if the infection kills the nerve inside the tooth. However, the bacteria are still present and continue to spread, posing a significant risk to your overall health.

If an abscess bursts, it may provide temporary relief from the pressure and pain, but the infection remains. The rupture can cause the infection to spread, and professional treatment is still required to ensure it is completely cleared and doesn't re-form.

The speed at which an abscess spreads varies, but it can happen quickly, sometimes within days or weeks, depending on the type and location. Factors like a weakened immune system can accelerate the process, leading to rapid escalation.

You should go to the emergency room if you experience signs that the infection is spreading or worsening, such as a high fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, extensive facial or neck swelling, severe pain, or confusion.

For very small skin abscesses (less than 1 cm), applying warm compresses may help encourage drainage. However, if it doesn't improve within a few days, grows larger, or becomes more painful, you should see a doctor for professional drainage.