At what point do you see GP for abscess/boil?

[daffydowndilys]

I have some sort of abscess on my shoulder. It is about the size of a grape under the skin. It hurts. I have tried heat for the past 48 hours and it hasn't drained away.

Temp is fine, not feeling ill but it hurts plus I may be tempted with a needle.

I would probably have gone down the needle route as I am just like that. Keep trying the heat thing for the weekend and if it doesn't help them go to the drs.

I'd go to the GP Monday. You'll get antibiotics probably.

If it wasn't so visible I might have gone down the needle route, but I just can't do it.

More worried about the repercussions!!

Have you tried Mag sulph paste? It's supposed to do wonders.

Hmm I think that needs medical attention. Probably needs draining properly, it’s beyond sticking a needle in at home.

Ouch that looks sore! I'd keep on with the heat tomorrow but call the GP on Monday if it's no better.

dont go near it with a needle!

Try a bread poultice. Soften a slice of bread in boiled water (still hot but not boiling) and cover the boil and surrounding area. Leave it until it's dried, then wash it off. It should draw it out. Apply antiseptic cream like Savlon or sudocrem.

The poultice should be more paste like than bread like.

Sorry, forgot. Add about a half teaspoon of salt to the paste.

That looks very red OP. I’d keep going with the hot flannels and would not be sticking anything in it!

And GP on Monday

Oooo that does look sore. I'm a bit of a pansy and not a sporner at all so would ask to see the nurse at the GP surgery. But there are hardened bods on here who if you can stomach it will tell you what they would do

It does look like it needs bopped.

Thanks, I might try the bread poultice tomorrow, failing that I will see my GP on Monday.

Magnesium sulphate paste on it and I think epsom salts in a hot bath is what was recommended to me.

My mum just had this but under her breast. Ouch!
They cut it out and drained it. The hole is pretty big but she says the pain is gone. She is on antibiotics.

The procedure it self was a bit painful

I have had 3 of these in the past. The first was really painful but I just cleaned it and it eventually cleared up but left a a sizeable lump on my shoulder. It returned again and I went and saw nurse at the clinic who dressed it and also got the doctor to look at it and she gave me antibiotics along with having it drained. It cleared up and I was left with a much smaller lump. Well it came back and I was given antibiotics again but it was too soon to try and drain it. Cannot remember exactly what doctor did but I was referred to see a consultant who basically surgically removed the lump completely. He did say it might come back but so far it has not. I really wished I had gone to the doctor the first time and maybe got referred sooner