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Original poster

Embarrassing - perianal absess

20 replies

Bookridden · 04/10/2024 20:01

While showering just now, I felt some tenderness around my anal area. On investigating, it appears I have a large and painful lump in my perineum. I tried to squeeze, but nothing came out. It feels about the size of a finger pad. I've asked Dr Google and I think it's a perianal absess. Do I need to see a GP about this? What should I do if they don't have any appointments for a few weeks? Is it likely to pop and go on its own?

OP posts:

Wowzel · 04/10/2024 20:06

You need to see a doctor as it will likely need antibiotics or an incision and drainage

Original poster

Bookridden · 04/10/2024 20:07

Thank you. How urgently will I need see a doctor? Can it wait until next week?

OP posts:

Muthaofcats · 04/10/2024 20:11

if it abscesses you’ll know about it as the pain will be horrific. It would mean a trip to a&e for referral to outpatient surgery - they’d then open it for draining. Really hope it isn’t that as it’s not fun :( but some do pop of their own accord without needing surgery and then I assume just needs antibiotics ? But you need proper medical advice rather than ask mumsnet

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unsync · 04/10/2024 20:19

Get it looked at ASAP. If they go wrong, you can end up with a fistula which you really don't want. Happened to a family member and it needed surgery.

Original poster

Bookridden · 04/10/2024 20:20

I'm definitely going to seek medical advice. It's stinging but I'm not in agony. I just wondered if it's best to go to a walk in centre tomorrow or if it will wait for my GP next week.

OP posts:

FitsLikeAGlove · 04/10/2024 20:24

How do you know it's not just a spot that hasn't come to a head yet?

LostittoBostik · 04/10/2024 20:27

Isn't it more likely to be a massive pile?

dcbgr · 04/10/2024 20:28

it doesn't always need an appointment. You can treat it with spending 30 minutes under a hot shower directed at it, repeat frequently, or just cover it with hot flannels soaked in hot water. After a few hours/days of this it will burst, drain and heal. A doctor will not be able to do much more. Lancing an abscess before it has "come to a head" is not recommended. Antibiotics can just make it fester.

Lala1962 · 04/10/2024 20:43

I had a suspected perineal abscess after an episiotomy and was seen by GP the morning I phoned them up who then referred me to the gynae at the hospital. I was given an appt that afternoon to get it looked at by them (only got an appt because I had no childcare for my baby but otherwise would have been instructed to attend A&E). If it was an abscess needing surgical draining it would have been done that afternoon so I was told to take an overnight bag.

Thankfully the gynae looked at it and decided it was just an infection but not yet an abscess. She prescribed me a long course of antibiotics which cleared it up. However, just wanted to show they take abscesses very seriously and would likely get it sorted the same day if it needed to be drained surgically.

Original poster

Bookridden · 04/10/2024 20:43

FitsLikeAGlove · 04/10/2024 20:24

How do you know it's not just a spot that hasn't come to a head yet?

Well, I don't! But it is a huge spot on my perineum - is that not the same thing?

OP posts:

Original poster

Bookridden · 04/10/2024 20:45

LostittoBostik · 04/10/2024 20:27

Isn't it more likely to be a massive pile?

I don't think so. It feels like a boil type thing and I think it needs to come to a head.

OP posts:

helleborus · 04/10/2024 21:04

Perianal abscesses aren't necessarily very painful. Mine was the size of a large grape and required surgery but wasn't painful unless you poked it.

I'd head to the walk in tomorrow OP

sunrisemorning · 04/10/2024 21:07

You can try to treat this yourself by soaking in a warm sitz bath with Epsom salts. It will reduce inflammation and bring it to a head. You may have to repeat this several times.

abracadabra1980 · 04/10/2024 21:42

unsync · 04/10/2024 20:19

Get it looked at ASAP. If they go wrong, you can end up with a fistula which you really don't want. Happened to a family member and it needed surgery.

Crikey yes, fistulas are horrendous.

AllThatEverWas · 04/10/2024 21:50

So - it's an infection which is still growing. Why wait until it's even more infected - maybe you'd just need antibiotics now but surgery if you wait? Sorry @Bookridden it sounds a right pain in the arse.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/10/2024 21:59

Lots of warm, salty baths , slap some Savlon on it and see how it is on Monday. See GP if it gets worse

Zingy123 · 04/10/2024 22:54

You will know if it's an abscess. I was in agony, I couldn't sit or lie down. I ended up on a drip in hospital. Get it looked at asap.

FitsLikeAGlove · 04/10/2024 23:14

I've been looking up the difference between an abscess, boil and pimple. What a fun Friday night!

Sounds like whether you need to seek medical help depends on the size of it and whether it appears to be infected.

H0mEredward · 04/10/2024 23:52

Get some manuka honey and garlic. Search online for natural treatments to use this weekend. Keep an eye out for increase in temperature. Call NHS 111 if you are showing signs of infection. If not, call GP on Monday.

LunaNorth · 05/10/2024 00:00

I had one of these thirty years ago. It got bigger and bigger until I slipped and fell on it, and it burst.

The agony was indescribable.

I’d been to the doctor and she missed it. I ended up on antibiotics, but the damn thing still recurs when I’m particularly run down, and I do have a small fistula.

Get it sorted OP, as quick as you can.

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