I have an abscess on my leg - antibiotics not working - what to do?

I feel your pain op. I have had a skin absess (back of the neck) only once and probably one of the most painful things I have ever had. Being drained (two big syringe fulls of greenish gunk) alongside antibiotics was the thing that worked.

I thought possibly HS too.

My advice (based on experience) take a hot shower. Get a cloth and use extra hot water (step out of the stream while you do this) then get the hot cloth and tuck it in between your leg and other bits and sort of hold it there. Obviously this shouldn’t be hot enough to burn you but just under that temperature. Cool off the water and take the rest of your shower repeatedly heating up the cloth as much as necessary. Aim for at least 10 min.

Then during the day take a few sitz baths (hot shallow baths) for between 10-20 min each time. One day of this should open it up. Big warning is that it’s most painful right before it opens.

If the bath or shower isn’t practical for whatever reason you can just hang out by the sink for hot water and hot compress it for 10-15 minutes several times during the day.

Long story but I usually get one of these a year and I had a 3 month run where I got 6 and they were all 5x as big. Think Brazil/walnut size (4-5cm).

That's an overreaction. If a doctor lances it, he squeezes it, too. It needs to be squeezed regardless. It doesn't make a difference who does the squeezing. You're not doing anything a doctor wouldn't do. As long as you use gloves, antiseptic cream and sterilise the pin, and make sure you get the sac out (pretty easy to grab onto once the pus is gone out, I've done it myself and no reoccurance), it's fine. Most people are able to do this themselves with no issues or complications.

@skinissue @mynameiscalypso Given the locations you’ve both described I would urge you both to look into Hidradenitis Suppurativa if either of your accesses are reoccurring (which I sincerely hope is not the case) if there is even a possibility you have it, be prepared to advocate for yourself as it’s so commonly mistaken for other conditions and diagnosis can take a long time. However if that does turn out to be the case for either of you it’s so helpful to know to then be able to ensure you’re getting the correct treatment that the accesses will actually respond to!

Epsom salts in a hot bath will draw gunk to the surface.

OP I really don't want to come across as a drama queen but go to A&E, or at least back to the GP. I had a similar abscess and it turned out to be sepsis - I nearly died and was in hospital for two weeks. It was progressive so just got worse and worse until I collapsed and my DH called an ambulance. Apparently if I'd left it another day I'd be dead. My local pharmacy (who btw are generally very good) also prescribed antibiotics when I first went to show them it (mine was on my calf). Not gonna work with something like sepsis!

I'm obviously not saying that's what you've got but it really is worth having it properly checked.

“If there’s pus about let it out”
It needs incision and drainage if soft and fluctuating.
Go back to GP.

Tonight, warm compressed as hot as you can bear & then sudocrem under a dressing, chances are it will either bring it to a head or burst it by morning. You will still need to see a doctor, but at least the pressure should release & make it less painful. If you have any Epsom Salts, make a paste with boiled water, put some on a dressing & cover overnight, it will draw the infection out.

Why haven't you popped it? Antibiotics won't do a thing if the boil is in place - I speak from personal experience.

I’ve just finished a 4 week course of antibiotics for a groin abscess. It was Flucloxicillin 500 mg.

It calmed down in week one, but it took 4 weeks for it to go fully.

My DS had an abscess in the inner thigh. He was given co amoxiclav (I think) for 7days. It cleared it up

Not a medic but had recurrent issues with abscesses. They nearly always need draining if antibiotics aren’t kicking in. Never let the sun set on pus my doc said. See GP on the morning and get a referral to hospital. Also ask for swabs. Good luck.

Once it was drained it started healing pretty much straight away. I guess it was about 2 weeks until it was totally closed, but it felt better instantly.

You should try seeing if you can get it to naturally drain yourself first? I had an abscess which was red, angry and painful, the GP wanted to give me antibiotics, but I declined them. Once I knew what it was from her diagnosis, I went home, boiled the kettle, poured some water into a bowl, added a few drops of tea tree oil, stuck a facecloth/flannel in, then when still hot but not too hot to handle, wrung it out and placed it on top of it and held it in place until it went cold.

When I removed the cloth, it had opened and drained itself. Instant pain relief. I did this a couple more times the next day and it was gone before I knew it.

Now, I'm just suggesting you try it now for some relief. Obviously, if it doesn't work, go to a walk-in centre or your GP to get it drained tomorrow.

ETA: If you don't have tea-tree oil, put some salt in the water, or even just plain hot boiled water.

Back to GP ,Flucoxacillin 500mgs four times a day should have sorted out the abscess by now!! You probably need a E&D .

I’ve not read the whole thread as it’s late.
However, looks up castor oil for your leg ulcer(s), there seems to be a lot of positivity for dealing with what you’re suffering with.
Good luck 🤞

Keep taking the meds
Make an appointment urgently tomorrow with GP
Have they done a swab to see if it's resistant to any antibiotics?
Do t mess around d, after 2 days you should be seeing some improvement so it needs professional guidance, even if that's that it's ok ... but doesn't sound it to me

I had an abscess under my arm a few years ago (overseas at the time) where a cyst that I'd had for years got infected.

I was given antibiotics which did nothing. Went back after 4 days because it was just getting bigger. They gave me LA, drained it and were shocked at how big it was (I'd told them this, but I guess they didn't listen). It was silver packed. Can't remember if they stitched it closed or not.

Cyst is still there. Hasn't ever happened again.