Infected eczema, will it go away?

[eveylikesv]

I have eczema on my right hand and right ankle. I have been to gp 6 weeks ago and got a steroid cream prescribed. It helped for couple of days and then back to how it was. Over the past few days l developed few cracks in the skin and now area around my middle finger is all swollen and hurting as hell. It looks like there is an infection going on. The rest of my hand is covered in yellow spots, licking puss. I have another visit booked in 2 weeks time,but wander if l should try to see someone earlier? Will the infection clear on it's own or will it get worse? I can't use my right hand unless it's covered in plasters and can't bend my middle finger. TIA for any help/ advice!!

[pinksancerre]

I am a skin nurse specialist. You need to get antibiotics ASAP, preferably tomorrow. The steroid has suppressed your immune response and you have an infection that needs treating. Hope you get it sorted soon.

[Weaverspin]

I'd suggest going back to the doc and getting some antibiotic steroid cream such as Fucidin HC. When I get an infected flare-up of eczema, it's the only thing that shifts it. You would hopefully only need to use it for a few days. Worth a try. (And I've tried all the natural remedies going in my life - but sometimes only some serious steroid + antibiotic will do the job).

Good luck!

[eveylikesv]

Poops, l was hoping it may be a normal thing. Will try to see gp early next week and get some antibiotics. Thank you both!! I am fairly new to eczema world, so not sure what is normal and what needs attention asap.

[BoulevardOfBrokenSleep]

As a long-term owner of eczema, I would advise that clear pus lumps = manage at home, yellow or green pus lumps = get to dr asap. (It's all glamour in infected eczema management!)

TBH, with the level of infection you describe I would try to access whatever medical service your area provides tomorrow er, today, because leaving it to fester is only going to cause problems. Things don't get better by themselves from this stage.

[mawinter]

Since you do not react so well to steroid creams (myself included) you may want to try Medihoney Derma Cream. I have been using it myself again for my most recent flare ups and my skin is reacting much better to this.