Anal abscesses can result in fistulas—tube-like passages between the skin and the muscular opening of the anus. These typically occur in 50% of people with abscesses. If left untreated, fistulas will continue to grow—potentially to the outside of the skin. Ultimately, they require surgery to fix. In addition to fistulas, abscesses can lead to continuous pain, scars, fissures, and sepsis, the last of which can be life-threatening.

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