Then, they’ll open the boil by making a small cut with a sharp instrument, such as a needle, lancet, or scalpel. This technique is also known as lancing.

A skin abscess is a red, painful bump that appears within or below the skin’s surface. Learn about the types, treatments, and when to contact a doctor.

If an abscess is large or infected, a healthcare professional will cut it open to drain the fluid buildup. If someone suspects they have an infected abscess, they should seek medical attention.

Another way is through open surgery, where the surgeon needs to make a bigger cut into the abscess to extract the pus. Who Needs It? About 10% to 30% of people with Crohn’s disease get abscesses.