Anorectal Abscess Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is anorectal abscess treatment?
Anorectal abscess treatment is a short operation, called incision and drainage, that opens a pocket of infection next to the back passage and empties it. An anorectal abscess is a collection of pus that forms in the fatty tissue around the anus or the lower rectum, and it causes a throbbing pain that builds steadily over a few days.
A fact few people know: most of these abscesses start inside the anal canal, in tiny glands that open into its lining. When one of these glands becomes blocked and infected, the infection tracks outwards through the tissue until it forms a tender swelling on the skin. The problem begins with a gland, so it has little to do with personal hygiene, and it is a routine condition for a general surgeon to treat.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, anorectal abscess treatment is carried out by the general surgical team as part of the hospital's colorectal surgery service.
Who needs it
Anorectal abscess treatment is for anyone with a painful, swollen, hot lump beside the anus, or a deep ache in the back passage that worsens when sitting, walking or opening the bowels. Fever, chills and a general feeling of being unwell often come with it. Some abscesses sit higher inside and show little on the skin, so a constant deep pain with fever deserves the same prompt assessment.
People with diabetes, Crohn's disease, a weakened immune system or a previous abscess are more prone to them. Diabetes is common in the UAE, and the surgeon checks your blood sugar as part of the visit, because well-controlled sugar helps the wound heal.
Drainage is the main treatment. Antibiotics play a supporting role, particularly for people with diabetes or spreading redness of the skin, and the surgeon decides whether you need them. Early drainage relieves the pain quickly and keeps the infection from spreading into deeper spaces around the rectum.
What happens
The surgeon at Dar Al Kamal Hospital asks about your symptoms and gently examines the area. When the abscess sits deeper, an ultrasound or MRI scan may be arranged to show its exact position and size before the procedure.
Drainage is usually done under general anaesthesia or a spinal anaesthetic that numbs the lower body, because the area is tender and the surgeon needs to examine it fully. A small abscess close to the skin can sometimes be drained under local anaesthetic.
The surgeon makes a small cut over the swelling, lets the pus drain and washes out the cavity. A sample of pus is often sent to the laboratory to identify the bacteria. The wound is usually left open so that it heals from the base upwards, which lets any remaining infection escape. A soft dressing or light packing goes into the cavity, and in some cases a thin drain is placed.
While you are asleep, the surgeon also looks for a small internal opening inside the anal canal. If a tunnel between the gland and the skin is already visible, this is recorded, and the plan for it is explained to you afterwards. Most people go home the same day through the day surgery unit.
Preparing for it
An abscess is usually treated within a day or so of diagnosis, so preparation is brief. The team gives you fasting instructions for the anaesthetic and checks your blood sugar and any blood tests needed. Bring a list of your medicines. Blood thinners and diabetes medicines each need a clear plan, so tell the team about them at once.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a supply of soft sanitary pads to protect underwear from drainage. Arrange for someone to drive you home. If you are fasting during Ramadan, tell the team early so that the timing of the anaesthetic, fluids and medicines can be agreed with you.
Afterwards
Draining the pus releases the pressure behind the throbbing pain, leaving a milder soreness from the wound itself. Some discharge of blood-stained fluid onto the dressing is normal in the first days.
Wound care is the main task at home. A shower rinse or a shallow bath of warm water after each bowel movement keeps the area clean and soothes it. The nurse or surgeon shows you how to change the dressing or packing, and some people return for dressing changes at the clinic. In the Sharjah heat, change damp dressings promptly and choose loose cotton underwear to keep the area dry.
Soft stools make the first days easier. Drink plenty of water, add fibre from fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, and use a stool softener if the surgeon prescribes one. Desk work often resumes within days, while jobs involving long hours of driving or heavy lifting may need longer; your surgeon plans this with you.
The follow-up visit checks healing and confirms whether a fistula has formed. If one has, the options are covered on the anal fistula repair page.
Contact the hospital urgently if the pain and swelling return, the wound bleeds heavily, or you develop a fever or spreading redness. **Go to the emergency department straight away if you feel very unwell with a high fever, shaking chills or confusion, or if you have difficulty passing urine.**
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover anorectal abscess treatment as a medically necessary procedure. Because it is often urgent, many insurers approve it on the day, while a planned drainage of a deeper abscess may need pre-approval supported by the scan report. Follow-up dressing visits and any later fistula surgery are sometimes approved separately. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of anorectal abscess treatment?
The risks of anorectal abscess treatment include bleeding, a reaction to the anaesthetic, slow wound healing and the abscess coming back. After drainage, some people develop an anal fistula, a small tunnel between the inside of the anal canal and the skin, which needs its own treatment. Your surgeon explains how these risks apply to you.
Can an anal abscess go away with antibiotics alone?
An anal abscess usually needs drainage, because antibiotics struggle to reach pus that is walled off inside a cavity. Antibiotics may be added to drainage for people with diabetes, a weakened immune system or spreading skin infection, and the surgeon decides whether you need them.
Can I burst an anal abscess myself at home?
You should avoid squeezing or opening an anal abscess yourself, because this can push infection deeper and damage the surrounding tissue. If an abscess bursts on its own, the pain may ease, but a surgeon still needs to check that the cavity has fully drained and to look for a fistula.
Is an anal abscess the same as a haemorrhoid?
An anal abscess is a collection of pus caused by infection, while a haemorrhoid is a swollen blood vessel. An abscess typically causes a constant, throbbing pain that builds over days, often with fever, whereas a clotted haemorrhoid causes a sudden tender lump without fever. A surgeon can tell them apart on examination.
Will my anal abscess come back?
An anal abscess can come back, most often when a fistula has formed beneath it. The follow-up visit after drainage checks for this. Keeping stools soft, controlling blood sugar if you have diabetes and attending follow-up all help the wound heal fully.
Why is the wound left open after an abscess is drained?
The wound is usually left open after an anal abscess is drained so that it heals from the bottom upwards. Closing the skin over a recently infected cavity can trap bacteria and allow the abscess to re-form, so an open wound with a dressing gives a more reliable result.
Can I go back to work after an anal abscess is drained?
Your return to work after anal abscess drainage depends on your job and how the wound is healing. Desk work often resumes within days, while driving jobs and manual work may need a little longer, and your surgeon gives you a plan for your situation.
Book an appointment
Tell us your preferred day and time. Our team calls you back to confirm.