Does this need a GP? Abcess (Photo warning)

[startrekkingacrosstheuniverse]

I’ve landed up with what I think are abscesses ...

I have a big lump under my arm not at all painful, but swollen.

One much bigger on my leg behind my knee, about the size of a cherry tomato or so and throbbing . It’s bright red, no lines coming from it . It’s definitely gotten worse overnight - tried to squeeze before bed and it seemed to burst under the skin, felt a definite pop/pain .

I’ve not got a fever or anything, and it’s not excruciating or anything, but a bit wondering given it seemed to burst like that - surely that means I’ve just spread whatever pus there was everywhere?

Worth trying GP (what can they do?) or watching and waiting ...? I have an old bottle of hibiscrub so could use that . I had similar last year and was told it was caused by stress/being run down .

I’d phone them. It might need lancing and/or some antibiotics. Keep an eye on your temperature.

Looks like a boil tbh, I get them quite often and they go away on their own after I pop them, I personally wouldn’t call the GP about this unless it got much larger.

Unless you feel unwell with temp I would wait and watch. Apply hot compresses to help draw it out. I am not a doctor though so if you think it needs a gp give them a ring

Not feeling too unwell no , underarm temp is 37 so think it’s OKish . It’s still sore and huge - did get some drainage from it earlier but nothing at all now . Will keep a wee eye on it . It’s the size that alarms me, the swollen bit is about 4/5cm diameter/rock solid .

So this is it this morning - has spread a lot overnight . I’m still feeling absolutely fine, no fever or anything . Wondering if I should call 111 based solely on how swollen it is/how much it’s spreading but seems a waste of everyone’s time - it isn’t burstable or anything as it’s solid .

I had exactly the same on my thigh, popped under the skin and started to spread. It was at the start of lockdown and I had a telephone consultation with my gp he gave me high strength antibiotics. I still have a red patch left. Try 111 and you will probably be out in touch with ooh gp.

That needs antibiotics. Please stop wasting time and get treated.

Waiting on 111 answering now .

And as you have two, you should ask for a diabetes test (boils are often an early sign).

You have redness spreading from that, def speak to a doctor and mention the redness

Definitely need medical assessment.

NHS24 have said they’ll get a doctor to call at some point before 6, so just waiting around now . Hopefully get seen and given abs fairly quickly .

Pharmacists are good at letting you know if gp appointment needed . I asked one recently about horrible infected bite on leg, was very helpful and took a look.

It’s an infection in soft tissue, doctor said likely from shaving legs . Off to Boots for abs . If it hasn’t come down by Mon/Tues she says they’ll probably lance it, so hopefully it’s gone by then .

Still here - if anything it’s larger than yesterday although not as hot . Presume I’m best ringing GP first thing see if they’ll lance it . Tiny bit of drainage earlier .