I look like the elephant man! Help me!

[NewYoiker]

I have bad acne and I've got a monster spot going on next to my nose. It's a big cystic one with no head.

In the last few hours it has spread upwards to my lower llid of my right eye and now it's swollen, it's also spread downward to my top lip, which is also swollen, I can't post a picture as it's clearly my face!

I think underneath it's about the size of a 2 pound coin and the pressure in my face is unreal! I rang my GP and I'm waiting for a phone call back but not sure when they'll ring.

What can I do to get the pressure down? The pressure is mainly felt in my eye it's awful!

This sounds really sore OP. I don't have any first hand experience to share but would an ice pack help? Or one of those gel eye masks that you pop in the freezer? Potentially some anti histamine might help with the swelling?

Apologies if these are not relevant suggestions and I hope the GP has some good advice.

Do you have a walk-in centre or could you pop to your GP in person so that they can see what you’re dealing with in person. It sounds awful and if its spread so much within a few hours it clearly needs dealing with ASAP.

I'm going to walk up to the GP I think. Sit there until someone sees me, they will ring me back at some point but Christ the pressure is insane. Why do spots do this??

Try a warm flannel then something cold. If you alternate it should help to relive the swelling.

I didn't get a call back from the drs and the pressure is absolutely insane. I can't bear it anymore. I've added a photo.. the red line is where the swelling under the skin.

I know everyone will say not to but I’d be using a sterilised needle right in the middle of that to give the trapped puss an outlet.

Then I’d get a glass bottle and run under very hot tap water and then quickly place bottle opening over the centre of the spot/boil. Hols bottle firmly over area so as to not lose contact with the skin.

As the bottle cools down a vacuum is created and the puss will be drawn out. It works but as I say, others will tell you not to do it.

healthfully.com/rid-boil-bottle-5459414.html

No, don't do that (no offence, Palominoo). That's too big and growing too aggressively to handle at home. I would try again at the GP or failing that, call 111 for further advice. Whatever you do, don't dawdle tomorrow!

Ouch, @NewYoiker that really does look painful and the pressure must be so uncomfortable.

I agree with calling 111 to get advice, tell them the GP fobbed you off and be honest about how it's affecting you. Don't play it down (which I know I have a tendency to do) - "the pain is becoming unbearable and I cannot focus at work" or however you feel.

Really hope you get this sorted soon. Could you afford to go and see a dermatologist privately? I have a friend who has had bad acne since being a teen and she's seen a dermatologist who has really transformed her skin, though I know it's not the same for everyone.

I managed to get a drs appointment and they packed me off into hospital. I have a diagnosis of 'that looks bloody sore' an abscess on my face caused by an infected spot. But it's spread a lot and now it's cellulitis. Woo!

Worst news! I've been admitted into the hospital I work in and my colleagues have come up to gape at me 🤦‍♀️

What’s the treatment for that? Antibiotics?

Hope it’s not as painful.

IV Antibiotics is the treatment :(

You poor thing.

Hope you will soon be home.

How're you doing now @NewYoiker? Hope you're feeling better.

I'm home now thank you :) got some very strong oral antibiotics to take for the next month. But I'm feeling very sad as yesterday my husband took our puppy to the vet without me (obviously) and we found out that the reason she hasn't eaten properly for weeks is because she has a broken jaw :(

Glad you’re home and on the mend.

Poor puppy! Hope you’re insured. They can get so excited that it’s easy to bash themselves and cause injury. Hope they heal quickly.

Poor puppy ( and you of course)
Hope everyone gets better soon