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Original poster

Great big effing boil on my neck! Help!

611 replies

BagofHolly · 13/08/2011 12:48

I've NEVER had a boil, ever, and now, 4 days after I go from long hair to a short bob, I've got something that looks like another nipple. It HURTS! I've put metanium on it and it's coming up to a point but there's no head on it. I don't feel too well either but that might be unrelated.

What should I do?! Help!

OP posts:
Original poster
BagofHolly · 14/08/2011 20:44

It's properly throbbing so I rifled through the medicine cabinet and found a course of flucloxacillin I was prescribed a couple of months ago but didn't take. So I ran next door to my neighbour who is a pharmacist and she said I'd be as well to start them and see the doc tomorrow anyway, so at least I have antibiotic cover overnight, and it was highly likely that that's what they'd be prescribing anyway so as long as I complete the course it's ok.
I said "does it smell?" and she had a good look and said "no, that's just you." Sad

I really WANT to share a pic! How can I do it from my iPhone?

OP posts:
aftereight · 14/08/2011 20:35

I am not supposed to be laughing at this stage, am I?! But, BagofHolly, your anthrax post made me snort, out loud Grin
Much as I would love kind of like to see photos, am now concerned that with that description, esp the black bits, you shoud maybe be taking a trip to A&E?

CocktailMumma · 14/08/2011 20:28

I was once admitted to hospital with suspected anthrax (minus a boil) - luckily as well as myself the local livestock and people escaped with their lives. It turned out to be a severe allergic reaction.

Seriously though, you need to see a Dr tomorrow not later in the week, dont be fobbed off. The fact you feel ill and the red area is increasing is not the best sign.

Hope you feel better soon.

MaxSchreck · 14/08/2011 20:22

Buggering arsewipes.

MaxSchreck · 14/08/2011 20:22

Oh dear.
I am sorry to hear you are not long for this world.

But do go happily to your grave knowing how much pleasure you have given others whoarecompletelyinsane.

Original poster
BagofHolly · 14/08/2011 19:43

More than happy to text photos if someone will pm me and upload. Am on iPhone and am far too ill to boot up laptop and upload.

OP posts:
Original poster
BagofHolly · 14/08/2011 19:42

Update as of 1930 GMT.

Red area is size of a Denby sideplate. Boil bit is about 2 inches across. The previous two heads refused to pop despite a lot of pressure. Sent husband out for magnesium sulphate paste, slapped it on and it felt like ants were burrowing into it. Some more wee came out and the heads have disappeared, leaving a big crater, black as coal. It really hurts. Temp up to 37.6. Husband says I have "the smell of death" about me.

Googled and the only picture I found which looked like mine, was subcutaneous anthrax. This will be a problem as the town will have to be evacuated and all livestock must be culled.

Called NHS Direct to discuss and they said keep it clean and see the doctor in the morning.

OP posts:
monkeyfacegrace · 14/08/2011 19:21

^^
Borrrriing!

Why waste a pus explosion? Rub bacteria into it. Make it BIGGER.

AmyStake · 14/08/2011 18:23

In all serious though, get some 5% (make sure it's 5%, 10% will take your skin off!) Quinoderm from Boots. It's the best spot cream I've ever used in my life and it's really cheap. You have to ask from it from the pharmacy counter.

Wash your hands and put on a small blob morning and night. You'll notice the next morning it's a lot smaller, and it'll be gone after a week. I promise. :)

VivaLeBeaver · 14/08/2011 12:07

You need to get your mum to take a photo and then upload it on here.

BikeRunSki · 14/08/2011 09:39

GO to the chemist and ask for a pot of Magnesium Sulphate paste.
Mix it up and spread on boil.
Cover with a big plaster.
This is best done at bedtime do to the glamorous side effects.
In the morning boil will have all oozed out into plaster.

Works like magic.

bandgeek · 14/08/2011 09:37

I long for DH to get a boil. I could spend all day squeezing spots, more than once we have been lying in bed and he has woken up to the feel of my fingernails on his back Grin

spout · 14/08/2011 09:30

I'm getting loads of these bastards on my décolletage at the mo. Am preggers so think this may be related.. Am off to get a beer bottle, flannels, toothpaste and salt. Wish me luck.

holidayblues · 14/08/2011 09:18

wonder if you will need antibiotics?

holidayblues · 14/08/2011 09:18

toothpaste i have heard is a cure

Original poster
BagofHolly · 14/08/2011 09:14

Well, overnight it has spread to a saucer-size area of inflammation, so
I'm now sitting up in bed, feeling sorry for myself and nursing a saline hot compress. A bit more wee came out but that's it. Ive put all the pressure on it that I can, including with my mum standing behind me shouting "go oooonnnnn" like she's at a rugby match.

The real, real cruelty is that I can't SEE the bugger. If it was on my knee for example, at least I'd get the pleasure of watching it swell.

More updates later.

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Valpollicella · 14/08/2011 00:05

Also, make up some hot saline and keep applying it with a (old) flannel....hot as you can stand it - that will draw it out nicely and have the bonus of being antiseptic too

michglas · 14/08/2011 00:05

i get cysts on the back of my ears occasionally, so painful but yet so satisfying when they finally pus.

Valpollicella · 14/08/2011 00:04

Poultice it and DO NOT attempt to squeeze it any more until the heads (!!) are at their ripest....you need to make sure it's all coming to the surface properly otherwise premature squeezing will just push it back down

monkeyfacegrace · 13/08/2011 23:59

Totally got the giggles and am lying on my bed crying with laughter at you
ot!

VivaLeBeaver · 13/08/2011 19:50

I think he loves my cyst more. Grin

Original poster
BagofHolly · 13/08/2011 19:45

Viva, he loves you. Very much.

OP posts:
MaxSchreck · 13/08/2011 19:44

You're a big old bunch of freaks, aren't you?

Grin
VivaLeBeaver · 13/08/2011 19:41

Yes, dh has to do it on me as my cyst is on the beck of my neck.

Original poster
BagofHolly · 13/08/2011 19:38

Am considering the big plaster. The warm beer bottle sounds FANTASTIC to do on someone else but tricky to do myself. Will save the technique for DHs ingrowing arse hairs.

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