What should I do after a perianal abscess or fistula in an infant or child?

  The rate of infant and child anal fistulas and perianal abscesses in our department has increased significantly in recent years, and foreign epidemiological surveys indicate that infant and child anal fistulas and perianal abscesses account for about 0.15% to 4.13% of patients. The incidence of perianal abscesses and fistulas is mostly due to bacterial infections. The main reason is the infection of the anal glands. The main reason is the widespread use of baby diapers, the relaxation of the anal sphincter and the short anal canal in infants and young children, which can easily cause the rectal mucosa of the anal canal to turn out when diarrhea and stool are wiped. These glands become infected and form perianal abscesses, as well as various causes of pediatric diarrhea and other immune tissue deficiencies such as Crohn’s disease of the intestines.  It is not uncommon for young children who are a few days or months old to develop sudden redness and pus in the skin around the anus, followed by the formation of an anal fistula. Those who are unaware of this often mistake it for diaper rash. The symptoms of perianal abscesses, which occur mostly in boys, can be limited to the left, right or both sides of the anal verge, and can be quickly relieved by incision and drainage of the pus or by self-breakage of the pus, and the canals are shallow, short and limited. Keep the anus clean, apply topical ointment at the same time during the attack, and take oral anti-inflammatory drugs appropriately to control and eliminate symptoms and strive for early natural healing. For children with frequent attacks or with a tendency of gradual aggravation, surgical treatment can be performed under local anesthesia (for those who can cooperate or for those who have a very short operation time) or general anesthesia (for those who cannot cooperate).  In addition to the treatment of perianal abscess and anal fistula, prevention should not be neglected and can be done from the following aspects: 1. breastfeeding as much as possible to reduce the occurrence of diarrhea. 2.  2, improve the level of hygiene and strengthen the care of infants and children’s buttocks. Change diapers promptly after each urination and defecation, wash more, dry wipe less, avoid using rough diapers, use less wet diapers, use more cotton diapers, infants and toddlers, especially newborns, should use relatively sterile soft diapers that have been exposed to the sun or ironed.  3, early diagnosis and treatment is an effective way to prevent perianal abscess and anal fistula.