Just a tip about prevention that works for me – but may not work for everyone. I had my first abscess when I was 11 and – back then – my mom treated it with home remedies and it went away.
I had the second abscess 8 years later when I was in college (1971) and again did not have medical attention. The pain was unbearable but the abscess drained on its own and I was fine for many more years. It should be noted that back in the early 70’s, my father’s medical insurance only covered hospital stays – so going to see a doctor was pricey for a college student.
Into my 30’s I started to have tenderness and tingling. When this occurs – and it now happends several times a year – I soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and dab/press the area around the sinus. During this initial phase there is only blood and no pus. I do this twice a day until there is no blood. There is usually healing in 3 days and no full abscess forms.