My abscesses have been chronic (luckily, I only get one,
in one spot, however, it never seems to resolve; when it clears, one forms
in the same area, usually from the area that hasn't healed underneath the skin) and if draining, can last for me anywhere from a week to several months - until I get my surgeon involved either for tubes (to keep the area open) and packing (to promote the area to heal without any "pockets" for another abscess to brew).