Let them know that infiltrating the anaesthetic stings, but that after this, the procedure is mostly painless. Patients often feel a lot better after some pus is drained, and incision and drainage means you are sure you have hit the pocket of pus.

How painful is a peritonsillar abscess?

A peritonsillar abscess is an area of pus-filled tissue at the back of the mouth, next to one of the tonsils. The abscess can be very painful and can make it difficult to open the mouth. It can also cause swelling that can push the tonsil toward the uvula (the dangling fleshy object at the back of the mouth).

How do they drain an abscess on your tonsil?

First, your doctor will numb the skin around the abscess. Then, your doctor will either take the pus out with a needle or make a small cut in the abscess so the pus can drain out. Surgery to remove your tonsils is also an option.