Presentations of Cutaneous Disease in Various Skin Pigmentations: Cutaneous Abscesses

Abstract

Description Cutaneous abscesses are collections of pus resulting from skin and soft tissue bacterial infections. They clinically exhibit the four cardinal inflammatory signs of pain, warmth, swelling , and erythema. In patients with darkly pigmented skin, classically-associated erythema may be challenging to appreciate and can lead to missed or delayed diagnosis. We compare abscess presentations in different skin types. Recognition of varying presentations of cuta-neous abscesses in diverse skin colors will help clinicians utilize additional clues to identify and diagnose this entity correctly.