Travel Insurance for an Abscess

What are abscesses?

Most commonly found on the skin, an abscess is a pocket of pus which shows up as a painful, red, swollen lump, often filled with yellow or white pus. They can happen when the body fights off a bacterial infection. It’s also common to find dental abscesses, and they can also form deeper inside the body. We list them with other infections and infectious conditions.

Small skin abscesses sometimes burst and heal by themselves. Larger ones may need draining by a doctor, or a course of antibiotics. Deeper abscesses, such as those in the brain or abdomen, are usually more serious and are treated in hospital. The NHS skin abscess page explains when to get help.

Why do I need to declare an abscess for travel insurance?

An abscess can spread or flare up, and may need draining or antibiotics, which could mean seeing a doctor abroad or cutting a trip short. It’s important to declare any pre-existing medical conditions, including a diagnosed skin abscess.

If you leave it off your policy, a claim connected to it could be turned down, or paid out at a reduced level.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance if I’ve had an abscess?

Usually, yes. A healed skin abscess is rarely a barrier, although surgical intervention, repeated abscesses, or underlying conditions like diabetes may make a difference. Whether cover is offered depends on your overall medical screening result.

An abscess that appears for the first time while you’re away would be considered a new and unexpected condition, rather than a pre-existing one.

What we’ll ask about your abscess

Declaring your abscess online doesn’t take long. The screening asks about the treatment you’ve had and whether you’ve been referred for tests or surgery. After that, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions you have.

Once you’ve finished the medical declaration, you’ll go through to the quote page. If your abscess and your other conditions can be covered, you’ll see a list of quotes, and the premium shown includes the cost of cover for your medical. If we can’t provide cover, you’ll know before going any further.

If your health changes before travelling

Abscesses don’t always clear up first time. If you start treatment, you’re referred for tests or surgery, you have a hospital stay, or you receive a diagnosis between now and departure, you must let us know. Your cover might need another look, your medical situation may have to go to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to continue with cover. A future claim can be affected or denied if a change in your medical isn’t reported.

What can travel insurance for an abscess cover?

If you’ve declared an abscess, and then it flares up or there are other issues while you’re abroad, emergency medical treatment can be covered. For example, if an abscess on your leg becomes badly infected while you’re in Thailand, you might need it drained in hospital alongside a strong course of antibiotics. Those costs can be covered, as well as repatriation if doctors decide it’s medically necessary. All of this is subject to the policy terms, conditions, exclusions, and excess deductions in your policy documents.

It may be that you develop an abscess before you travel, and a doctor advises you not to go on holiday. Cancellation cover could help with prepaid costs you can’t recover elsewhere.

Treatment you’ve arranged to have overseas isn’t covered, and nor is anything linked to a condition you didn’t declare. Routine dental work is generally outside medical cover too, so check the Policy Wording if you’re worried about a dental abscess.

Will an abscess affect the cost of travel insurance?

An abscess can affect the price of your policy, depending on your answers during the medical screening. Questions could cover how the abscess has been treated, and whether it is under control.

General details, including your age, where you’re going, and how long you’re travelling for, also have a part to play in your quote premiums. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to see the price before you buy.

Single trip or annual cover after an abscess

Most people going on just the one holiday choose single trip insurance. If you travel regularly, annual cover could be easier, as you only need to complete the quote process once for 365 days of cover. Annual policies depend on the screening outcome.

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Travelling with an Abscess: Practical Tips

This advice is general and doesn’t form part of the cover.

Finish any course of antibiotics, even if you feel better. If you’ll still be taking them when you fly, pack them in your hand luggage. Some antibiotics make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so read the leaflet and use a high-factor sun cream.

If you have a wound that’s still healing after drainage, ask your practice nurse for dressings to take with you and how often to change them. Swimming pools, the sea, and hot tubs are best avoided until the skin has closed, as they can bring in new bacteria.

Heat and sweat can make skin infections more likely, especially in skin folds. Loose cotton clothing and regular showers help. Don’t squeeze or try to drain a lump yourself.

Know the warning signs. Redness that’s spreading, a high temperature, shivering, or feeling generally unwell can mean the infection is spreading, and you should see a doctor without delay. Spreading redness can be a sign of cellulitis.

A dental abscess abroad can be painful and awkward to sort out. If you get toothache before you go, see your dentist rather than hoping it settles.

How to get a quote

Enter your trip details, then answer a few questions about the abscess and anything else you need to declare. You’ll see your price before you pay.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Infectious Pages

• Abscesses Travel Insurance
• Brain Abscess Travel Insurance
• Breast Abscess Travel Insurance
• Cellulitis Travel Insurance
• Chickenpox Travel Insurance
• Glandular Fever Travel Insurance
• HIV Travel Insurance
• Influenza Travel Insurance
• Lyme Disease Travel Insurance
• Meningitis Travel Insurance
• Norovirus Travel Insurance
• Sepsis Travel Insurance
• Tuberculosis Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.