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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if breast abscess is an emergency or can wait?

62 replies

werebackon · 01/01/2025 16:03

I’ve developed a huge abscess on my breast, it’s really large and swollen and hot, spreading to my nipple which is now rock hard too. I don’t think it’s ready to burst, but I’ve been feeling really poorly all day and not sure if it could be something to do with it.

Almost my entire breast is red and hot and swollen and really hurts to touch.

Not breastfeeding or recently pregnant, and I have had abscesses before but not like this one.

I’d rather go to the doctors tomorrow but my friend is saying A&E - where I don’t want to be on New Years Day!

Anyone had this experience? Would it be fine to wait? And any tips on dealing with the swelling and pain other than ibruprofen as I can’t take this?

OP posts:
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Michaelab1996 · 16/09/2025 19:46

Hi, I think I have an abscess on my breast but I went to the drs today and they said skin infection? It is very painful And I can hardly move

Sallysoup · 05/01/2025 11:09

Hope you got seen OP and you're on the mend now.

Growsomeballswoman · 02/01/2025 08:38

How are you this morning OP?

Jein · 01/01/2025 21:56

Ouch, I had this and needed IV antibiotics for a week. Please go to A and E.

Flux1 · 01/01/2025 21:51

Hope you're in A&E and don't have to wait too long. That looks very painful

2025willbemytime · 01/01/2025 19:16

If you've not left, or have a pen if you have, draw around the edge so you can show how it's spread since X o'clock.

Iscrewedupbadly · 01/01/2025 19:15

@werebackon i had one right under my nipple, it was huge, red and so bloody painful. I went to the GP who sent me straight to A&E. I was put on IV antibiotics for 24 hours and then sent home with some antibiotics. I had to go back a week later to check it was going away, or to go back sooner if there was no improvement. They were concerned about sepsis and infection spreading. Definitely go and get it seen to asap x

Gatecrashermum · 01/01/2025 19:13

Holy christ, a&e now. Spreading infection.

Pack your phone charger, a water bottle, your kindle and some snacks. Just be prepared to wait - this could lead to sepsis. Go now!

Thenewmeisthesameastheoldme · 01/01/2025 19:09

Oh get to A and E! I had an abscess on my knee in December, dithered for a week before going to GP, then his antibiotic didn’t work after another week, so I ended up admitted via A and E and was put on a drip for 4 days a week before Christmas.

motherofdragons79 · 01/01/2025 18:48

Another one saying A&E or at least out of hours GP.

MangoesAndPeaches · 01/01/2025 18:46

Hi, I had huge abscesses when I was breastfeeding my son. It started with one but it spread very quickly to other sites around my breasts and my back. I would go to A&E as there is a sepsis risk. They can put you on IV antibiotics. Wear a very comfortable bra or vest. No wires that press on your skin. Hope you feel better soon.

Mynewnameis · 01/01/2025 18:35

I hope you went for treatment op.

Zanatdy · 01/01/2025 18:21

You probably need IV antibiotics. I had 5 days worth when DD was 3wks old, my breast was as ref as yours. Don’t wait

butterfly0404 · 01/01/2025 18:18

God that looks painful, hope you are now at hospital awaiting treatment.

Never had an abcess but had mastitis in both breasts whilst breastfeeding and that was bad enough. All the best OP.

Nextyearhopes · 01/01/2025 18:16

werebackon · 01/01/2025 16:29

I’ve managed to get a picture of it to give a better idea - I’m going to call 111

This Is across most of my breast

Ouch OP that looks painful.
Please get antibiotics

Ughn0tryte · 01/01/2025 18:15

Yes, it's an emergency. Yes go to A&E if you haven't received an appointment from nhs 111 in the last two hours.
You're at risk of cellulitis, sepsis.
You need to act now and ensure you're in contact with a health professional very very swiftly.
Speed is vitally important.

Vintagevixen · 01/01/2025 18:14

Photo looks very similar to how mine was. I was very unwell - temp etc.

Please get it treated urgently. I was lucky I didn't go into full blown sepsis and was left with a very nasty wound.

Had an ultrasound/mammogram on the two week wait which were clear.

Nessastats · 01/01/2025 18:13

Definitely a and e

Member984815 · 01/01/2025 18:12

You are at risk of sepsis , go to a and e

Vintagevixen · 01/01/2025 18:11

I had similar two years ago - almost went septic so you need antibiotics pronto. After these they can work out whether further treatment is needed - mine managed to burst through the skin whilst I was in the shower! Stung a bit...

Go get antibiotics ASAP

olympicsrock · 01/01/2025 18:10

Booobs · 01/01/2025 17:33

GP out of hours via 111 and a direct referral to surgeons would be ideal route here if available to you, but if you are systemically unwell (fever, increased heart rate etc) then I agree A&E is reasonable.

You have oedema to the skin as well as the redness which is why your nipple seems hard. Collection looks very superficial so likely easy to manage, but you will likely
be offered a breast ultrasound to exclude deeper collection requiring aspiration, and possibly a mammogram (either immediately or on a delayed basis) depending on clinical findings, your age and how recently you last had one (if at all). If the same as in our trust, this will likely be done via breast clinic on an urgent outpatient basis over next day or two, but you will be commenced on antibiotics in meantime, and any superficial collection can be drained by the surgeons if they feel it’s appropriate. Most breast abscesses can be treated without going to theatre.

DOI: This is my job ☺️

Listen to this poster. I’m a surgeon too . At this point in time I would just take yourself to A and E as you sounds systemically unwell. You need admitting for IV antibiotics and then if there is an abscess it is will aspirated under ultrasound or drained in theatre tomorrow
Don’t delay please.

Lostinmusic22 · 01/01/2025 18:02

I hope you are on your way op. It looks very sore.

SweetPea201 · 01/01/2025 17:56

Deffo get checked asap. I had a breast abscess from Mastitis and ended up in hospital for a week on IV antibiotics, had to have it drained and then surgically removed as there was so much of it, then the wound packed everyday for weeks 😫
My skin also opened up (holes the size of a 5p! Fascinating but gross! 😂) to naturally let the abcess come out.
Sorry tmi. Never been so ill. So I would be worried about leaving this. Although they did tell me it was rare to get to the point I was at, I wouldn't mess around.

TerrysCIockworkOrange · 01/01/2025 17:47

Commiserations OP, abscesses are the absolute worst. I had one that reached a similar scale even after taking course of ABs and on seeing it again my GP had me get down to the nearest minor injuries unit ASAP where I had it removed that night.
Hopefully you’ve been sent that way by 111 and are seen soon

Tortielady · 01/01/2025 17:43

OP, I hope you're getting medical attention as I write. Abscesses are horrible things. The longer you wait, the deeper they go, and depending on where they are, they can either spread (potentially very dangerous) or encapsulate (become very hard and wickedly painful.) In the meantime, you're also feeling constitutionally unwell with a high temperature, shivering etc. I've been hospitalised a few times with abscesses that needed surgery and took months of recovery time.

On one occasion, I rang 111, who made me an appointment with urgent care and sent an ambulance to pick me up. I was able to bypass A&E and got a bed fairly quickly. But I appreciate that you may not have an urgent care centre in your area and A&E might be your only route to treatment. I hope you can get it sorted either way, as it looks very painful.