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Original poster

Abscess (pic), should I pop it?

233 replies

WanderingTrolley1 · 08/09/2021 21:23

Very painful abscess on inner thigh developed Sunday evening, saw Dr Monday morning, she prescribed antibiotics which I don’t think is making any difference - red area has grown over last 3 days.

This spot came up today and it getting larger. Do I pop it?

OP posts:
KilledByWitches · 08/09/2021 23:19

I don't know how you are resisting! I'd have a needle in that before you could say sporner.

Bagamoyo1 · 08/09/2021 23:22

I’m a GP and if you came to see me I’d pop it.

Bagamoyo1 · 08/09/2021 23:23

@Droite

These things come to a head like that for a reason, i.e. that they need to burst to get rid of all that pus. Why would you leave it to burst by itself all over your sheets when you can do it in a controlled way with dressings etc available?
Exactly

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Oakmaiden · 08/09/2021 23:26

That is a beauty.

Blossomtoes · 08/09/2021 23:38

I went to my GP with something very similar and got torn off a strip for not going to A&E. The crater it left after lancing was so deep it had to be packed with gauze every day for a week and I had blood poisoning. Don’t fuck about with it, go back to A&E.

Houseofvelour · 08/09/2021 23:43

Don't touch it and go back to the drs tomorrow. You probably need different antibiotics if the ones you're on have not started working yet.

That looks so painful op! I'd be itching to pop it too but it's not worth the risks.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 08/09/2021 23:43

That needs a hot wash cloth on it with salty water.

It will pop in no time. Cover it with a lint free dressing .

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 08/09/2021 23:43

@Droite

These things come to a head like that for a reason, i.e. that they need to burst to get rid of all that pus. Why would you leave it to burst by itself all over your sheets when you can do it in a controlled way with dressings etc available?
Spot on!
Alondra · 09/09/2021 02:04

OP,

If the red area surrounding the boil has not decreased by tomorrow go back to A&E. Depending what is the cause of the infection, if it's not contained it can enter your blood and that's pretty serious, cellulitis.

I had the same problem 10 years ago and spent 3 days in hospital because of it. Oral antibiotics won't be effective and you may need them intravenously.

olympicsrock · 09/09/2021 02:16

I’m a surgeon. You do need to Lance the boil. I would use an ice pack to numb the area and then a large size sterilised needle (pour boiling water over it and let cool or clean in a small amount of white spirit such as vodka). Then gently using a cotton wool pad between your fingers and the boil squeeze. Then mag sulphate left over it to draw it out.
Doing this will allow the infection to resolve faster.

HotButteredRumPaPumPum · 09/09/2021 02:26

If you're worried about squeezing it after popping (because it could push the infection deeper), heat an empty glass bottle with boiling water, tip that out and as soon as the neck is bearable to touch, clamp that over the head. It creates a vacuum which will suck out allsorts!! Believe me I've tried it!!

AreYouReally · 09/09/2021 02:28

Following and bumping.

alexdgr8 · 09/09/2021 02:28

i don't understand this kind of grim enjoyment of telling you to burst it.
i think it could be or become quite serious.
it's not a joke.
it could be some kind of cellulitis. that can become septic quickly.
don't interfere with it. you don't want to make an obvious infection worse.
please go back to A&E early in the morning.
good luck.
let us know how you get on.
ps, i have seen soft tissue infection turn very nasty, and dangerous.
it really is nothing funny. this is to those who seem to think it is.

HotButteredRumPaPumPum · 09/09/2021 02:30

Also, you can buy sterile lancets from Boots or Amazon which are great for things like this, or ingrown hairs. Just swab the area before and after with alcohol or antibacterial stuff to prevent spreading anything.

Driftingblue · 09/09/2021 04:07

A nice hot bath will often get it to a state where it just takes a gentle squeeze, not even a real
Pop attempt to get the thing to burst.

Original poster
WanderingTrolley1 · 09/09/2021 07:31

It oozed a little in the night, but it’s still painful. I think I’ll head to A&E this morning.

OP posts:
userxx · 09/09/2021 07:36

Have you tried the hot flannel trick ? I'd rather do it myself than let someone else do it.

BirdyBirdyTweetTweet · 09/09/2021 07:37

Would this be classed as an emergency?

userxx · 09/09/2021 07:41

The antibiotics should be kicking in, give it time.

lachy · 09/09/2021 07:42

Ooh ya bugger!

Abscess (pic), should I pop it?
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/09/2021 07:53

Why aren't you doing all the normal things like bathing with salt water and hot compresses?Confused It is much better today.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/09/2021 07:53

@userxx

The antibiotics should be kicking in, give it time.
I agree
swiftt · 09/09/2021 09:41

Are you feeling extremely unwell today OP? I’m not sure it warrants an A&E trip otherwise. I get huge abscesses in the same area and have never been to A&E for them. Take the antibiotics and try some home remedies to burst it, the crap needs to come out. I ended up in hospital once for one which was so large and wouldn’t burst after days and a course of antibiotics, and I needed to be admitted to have it removed in theatre. But even then, it was my doctor who referred me to hospital for this. Could you get another doctor’s appointment?

Blossomtoes · 09/09/2021 09:56

@userxx

The antibiotics should be kicking in, give it time.
The antibiotics won’t kick in if they’re not the appropriate ones for the infection and the only way that can be ascertained is if the pus is tested. If the red area is increasing and the abscess is throbbing, it’s dangerous. Don’t piss about @WanderingTrolley1. It’s what A&E is for.
AleynEivlys · 09/09/2021 09:57

Oh grim, that's looking a lot more like mine did now. It's miserable. Definitely go and get it sorted. 👍