Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
Plumtree391 · 10/09/2021 00:25

@Fireplace12

I’d have had a hot compress on there and a needle in it by now!
Me too. Use antiseptic on the area then compress as hot as you can bear it. It should pop on its own then. I had one, did that and it burst in the night but if it hadn't I would have used a sterilised instrument to lance it. Better out than in! I cleaned it well and it healed leaving no scar, however a little scar in a place like that would hardly matter.

Keep taking the antibiotics, they will help.

LoveFall · 10/09/2021 00:53

I had a big abscess in a surgical wound from a laparoscopy. It decided to start draining overnight and I was admitted to hospital that morning. The ob/gyn resident spent quite a long time pressing on it etc etc. when she was done she said, "Well that was fun." Not so fun for me but they did give me morphine before the draining/dressing changes which helped!

ItsNotMeAnymore · 10/09/2021 01:20

.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
simitra · 10/09/2021 01:45

Antibiotics usually last over a 4/5 day course and I you need to take the entire course. I had something similar develop on the labia majora which was very painful. Took a 5 day course of antibiotics and used the hot shower on them 4 times a day as hot as I could bear together with anti septic cream. It burst on day 4 with watery pus and blood and the pain had improved a lot within 2 days. I did not prick - it burst of its own accord.

FolornLawn · 10/09/2021 08:12

Blimey, OP, I hope that sofa is Scotchguarded.

GreyCarpet · 10/09/2021 08:28

I'm a bit disappointed that I've never had anything like this! Grin

Droite · 10/09/2021 08:39

I never understand the argument about not popping spots and abscesses that have come to a head. You won't "drive an infection inward", it's already in your system and the body is trying to get rid of it by pushing the pus and nasties up to the surface. For animals, they will often knock the top off in the course of foraging etc because that is what nature intends. How can it be worse to ensure that the thing is fully drained in a controlled way in hygienic surroundings?

Original poster
WanderingTrolley1 · 10/09/2021 12:47

Still oozing watery blood, not so red, still large hard area around it…

OP posts:
Original poster
WanderingTrolley1 · 10/09/2021 12:49

Pic

OP posts:
safariboot · 10/09/2021 14:29

Got it bandaged up when you're not photo-ing?

Original poster
WanderingTrolley1 · 10/09/2021 14:36

No. Wearing a nightie and letting the air get to it.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 10/09/2021 15:12

That needs to be covered imo. You can get big lint free plasters which would work well, they're for burns.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 10/09/2021 16:37

You could try a Hydrocolloidal dressing which draws the contents out ( also called faster healing dressing)

Theunamedcat · 10/09/2021 18:20

Have you tried the magnesium sulphate paste on it yet? Its brilliant and cheap

Original poster
WanderingTrolley1 · 10/09/2021 22:25

I’ve ordered some, Theunamedcat, it’s arriving tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
WanderingTrolley1 · 11/09/2021 17:37

Pretty much stopped oozing, but still painful. Does anyone know if this looks normal?

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 11/09/2021 17:43

It still looks as if it is full of pus. Did you do the glass bottle trick?

seymoursmyman · 11/09/2021 18:36

I agree. Looks like there's still stuff to come out. Probably a thicker consistency so not likely to ooze on its own. If you can tolerate it gently press in a rocking motion either side around the area. Not on the swollen or painful part. That will help push the pus towards the opening. Try not to let it dry up as any pus left will stay trapped.
It's best to let it keep draining.

Turtletotem · 11/09/2021 19:03

I may be wrong but I think you need thick magnesium sulphate and a dressing to draw it out.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 11/09/2021 19:20

@Turtletotem

I may be wrong but I think you need thick magnesium sulphate and a dressing to draw it out.
You're right
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 11/09/2021 19:21

@WanderingTrolley1

Pretty much stopped oozing, but still painful. Does anyone know if this looks normal?
Looks loads better . Are you bathing it and keeping it covered?
Original poster
WanderingTrolley1 · 11/09/2021 20:46

Not bathing, just having a morning shower and letting the air get to it. Used the mag sulphate paste this afternoon, will slather some on before bed. Will definitely need to get some kind of plaster/dressing as I need to be out and about Monday (after being housebound with it since last Monday)…

OP posts:
Haggisfish3 · 11/09/2021 20:47

Tesco do blister plasters that are really quite big and round.

GogCymraeg · 12/09/2021 09:53

Do not use a blister plaster on this! It needs a dressing that can be changed so that uou can keep an eye on it.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 12/09/2021 10:14

Use a dressing for burns. You can get big plaster type ones in Tesco, they are non lint and shiny on one side.

You really need to keep that covered not let the air get to it as by doing that it'll scab over and you risk getting dirt I to it. You want to keep it soft so it can continue to drain.

Bathe with salt water 3x a day
Cover with Savlon cream and non lint dressing.

Make sure you scrub your hands like you're a surgeon before going anywhere near it.