From the Guidelines
The recommended duration of antibiotic therapy for a nasal abscess is a 5- to 10-day course of an antibiotic active against the pathogen, as stated in the guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1. When treating a nasal abscess, it is essential to consider the severity of the infection and the patient's response to treatment.
- The antibiotic regimen may include penicillin, clindamycin, vancomycin, linezolid, daptomycin, or telavancin, depending on the causative pathogen and its susceptibility pattern 1.
- In addition to antibiotics, supportive care such as warm compresses applied to the area for 15-20 minutes several times daily can help promote drainage and healing.
- It is crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before finishing the prescription to prevent recurrence and antibiotic resistance.
- Nasal abscesses require prompt treatment as they can potentially spread infection to nearby structures, including the brain, due to the rich vascular supply in this area.
- In cases where the abscess is large or not responding to antibiotics, surgical drainage may be necessary to prevent further complications.
- Consideration of a 5-day decolonization regimen twice daily of intranasal mupirocin, daily chlorhexidine washes, and daily decontamination of personal items such as towels, sheets, and clothes may be beneficial for recurrent S. aureus infection, although the evidence for this is weak and of low quality 1.