Incision & drainage (I&D)

If you have a medical concern requiring incision and drainage (I&D), FastMed is here to help. We’re available for extended hours, 7 days a week, including holidays. Our highly qualified medical professionals are trained in minor surgical procedures such as I&D for abscesses, simple cysts, and other types of skin concerns.

We’ll provide the care you need when you need it. No appointment is necessary, although you can check in online before your visit if preferred. Let us help you get the care you need for draining an abscess, boil, or other skin abnormality in the safe, sterile environment of our clinics.

What causes abscesses?

Incision and drainage (I&D) is most often necessary for an abscess, boil, or wound. An abscess is a painful infection that occurs when the oil or sweat glands become obstructed, trapping bacteria beneath the skin. Inflammation and infection result, which leads many to the hospital ER. Incision and drainage, however, is actually a simple procedure that can be performed safely and conveniently at your local FastMed clinic—usually much faster and more affordably than at most hospital ERs.

Why get incision and drainage?

I&D is necessary for wound or abscess drainage because while antibiotics are effective against bacteria, they only travel through the blood to the affected tissues. The bacteria in an abscess are in a pocket and don’t come into contact with the antibiotic, so are not destroyed.  Once opened, the pain is mostly alleviated through reduced pressure on the site, and the abscess or wound can begin to heal, something it’s unlikely to do on its own. In fact, if left untreated, the problem can lead to lasting complications such as scarring, need for debridement (removal of affected or dead tissue), or sepsis—an infection of the bloodstream that can be life-threatening. Your FastMed medical professionals can eliminate this possibility by performing incision and drainage comfortably and affordably in one of our clinics.

The incision and drainage procedure

During the incision and drainage procedure, your FastMed provider will use a local anesthetic to numb the area surrounding the boil or abscess. Once the anesthetic takes effect, and the area is numb to pain, the doctor will use a scalpel to make a small incision into the skin over the infected area in order to drain the pus.

Some abscesses may require more than one puncture as there may be more than one pocket of pus. In cases of particularly large or deep abscesses, packing may be placed in the wound to hold it open so that it continues to drain as it heals.

The entire procedure can usually be completed in less than one hour. Complications are mild if any. However, if you experience any bleeding, pain, or scarring afterward, you may need additional medical care. Contact your FastMed practitioner for advice.

Important: Make sure the appropriate medical staff is aware if you have MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infection).

Incision and drainage aftercare

After you leave your FastMed clinic, make sure you follow your care provider’s instructions regarding bandage changes and cleaning of the wound. If you’ve been given antibiotics or pain medication, take them as directed, making sure you complete the entire course of antibiotics to reduce the possibility for recurrence of the bacteria that led to the infection, or of creating bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

If you notice any of the following signs indicating infection, call us immediately:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain that worsens
• Bleeding
• Fever

Where can I get incision and drainage?

Your FastMed medical professionals are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year to help you with just these types of minor medical emergencies. No appointment is necessary, as walk-ins are welcome.

You can check in online in advance, if preferred, for convenience. Let us perform the incision and drainage (I&D) to relieve your painful abscess, boil, or other medical concern comfortably, affordably, and conveniently.