Minor Abscesses from Prolonged Sitting

People often work around the clock in the office, spending a lot of time at their desk. And from one moment to the next, uncomfortably pressing pain becomes noticeable when walking and sitting. Or the skin in the gluteal fold becomes red, swells, or throbs. If a hardening under the skin is also present, it is important to know the cause in order to respond appropriately.

Prolonged sitting, combined with a weakened immune system, can lead to the formation of an abscess in the tissue—a pocket of pus. This painful bacterial infection then restricts many movements throughout the day. Without proper treatment, the formation of a purulent anal abscess or a pilonidal sinus is also possible. This is not only extremely painful. Complete wound healing can take several weeks in this case.

Abscesses occur in different areas or anywhere in the body: face, neck, thighs, or intimate areas. Both women and men are often affected. Infections or ingrown hairs in the gluteal fold are frequently the cause of furuncles or abscesses after prolonged sitting.

While ingrown hairs do not always lead to a purulent skin inflammation, in many cases the hair is simply resorbed (dissolved) by the skin. There is a risk that an ingrown hair can form a fistula opening. This leads to the skin surface and provides bacteria with an optimal entry point into the tissue. Some people have fistulas on the buttocks from birth and thus a predisposition to the development of minor abscesses.

Why Do Minor Abscesses Develop in the Skin from Prolonged Sitting?

Abscesses develop due to triggering factors such as friction from toilet paper or clothing, the accumulation of sweat in the gluteal fold, infected hair follicles, or germs along the anal opening. Intimate shaving with a dull blade or overly thorough personal hygiene can also cause minor abscesses and other purulent inflammations.

When nerve pathways are irritated by the abscess in the skin, those affected often suffer from severe pain. In the worst case, this can also spread to other body regions, for example to the lower back or into the abdomen. Due to the varying symptoms and the unfavorable location, it is not always easy for laypeople to make the correct diagnosis themselves. For this reason, a doctor should be consulted immediately in case of dull pain in the lower back, at the coccyx, or in the gluteal fold to prevent the infection from spreading.

Do Minor Abscesses Open on Their Own?

The good news: At an early stage, minor abscesses can be treated effectively with ilon Classic and antibiotics. The green drawing salve intervenes specifically in the inflammatory process with its herbal active complex—for a 5-fold complete effect on skin inflammations. If a filled pus capsule under the skin becomes palpable with the fingers, it should never be squeezed.
ilon Classic should be applied to the affected area and surrounding tissue and covered with a bandage or plaster. After a few days, the pus-filled bump usually drains and the unpleasant pressure in the tissue subsides. Otherwise, a doctor should be consulted.

Larger abscesses located deep in the skin must generally be opened by a doctor through a surgical procedure under local anesthesia. Depending on the severity, the wound is then either sutured or left open for a period of time.

These Measures Help Prevent Abscesses from Prolonged Sitting:

take regular breaks and move around
work more often at a standing desk
wear comfortable underwear made of soft material
use care and cleansing products that protect the skin’s acid mantle
treat red, swollen areas on the buttocks as early as possible, for example with ilon Classic
in case of repeated occurrence, it is advisable to permanently remove hair from the gluteal fold, e.g., through laser treatment
ensure hygienic wound healing after opening the abscess
maintain a healthy, high-fiber diet
drink plenty of water, reduce alcohol consumption
limit smoking
reduce stress

ilon® Classic Ointment. Active ingredients: larch turpentine, turpentine oil (maritime pine type), eucalyptus oil. A traditional herbal medicinal product for the treatment of mild, localised, purulent skin inflammation, such as small pus-filled nodules, inflamed hair follicles and inflamed sweat glands, based solely on long-standing use. Contains butylhydroxytoluene. (Information as of December 2024)

For information on risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Cesra Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG, Flugstraße 11, 76532 Baden-Baden