To lance my own boil? (Disgusting, sorry)

[burstthefucker]

Have a huge boil - about the size of a plum . Been prescribed antibiotics for a week now as had associated cellulitis . GP hasn’t actually seen the boil or size, all diagnosed over the phone .

This morning it’s angry again and giving off fishy smelling pus ... Never smelt anything like it . It’s absolutely awful .

WIBU to get a sterile needle or something and just dig at a bit? Health centre said a nurse will ring later to discuss but surely if I can drain it that’s the problem solved ?

I'm sure it's not advised but I'd have probably had a go at it already.

Maybe wait to see what the nurse says first.

Sounds like an abscess, antibiotics not working, you need urgent care centre or similar for change of antibiotics and possibly IVs. Ring 111?

Can I do it for you? I love a bit of pus...

Probably not the best idea to attack it yourself, but if it was mine I don't think I could resist

Where is it? What can you damage if you try it?

Yes go for it

I’ve done this a few times
Very satisfying

You need one of those dentist pick things you can get from Tesco
Mor a big old needle

Plenty disinfectant
Boil needle
Pierce
Squeeze
TAKE PHOTOS for Mn

And slather in iodine to ward off infection

Don't you have to get the sac out or something? If you don't remove the sac it just fills up again. I have watched a lot of Dr Pimple Popper.

Never, ever squeeze a boil. It is really bad.
If it's "ripe" you could gently pull it and release the pus

I'd wait for the nurse to ring. True story - I work with someone who had a small, insignificant looking leg injury earlier this year. He ended up in hospital with cellulitis and there was talk of amputating his leg.

Get heat on it, hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel, maybe? Might bring it up for you so you can pierce. Careful not to get it infected by pointless squeezing.

Pop it, take pics and send them on over to sporner corner

I dig at my own abscess, bad idea! It started to swell and the redness was spreading, I wax clammy and queasy feeling. It was at the start of lockdown and needed super strength antibiotics.

Totally do it, I had a massive one , most satisfactory

Spooners corner is the place for this. They love pus.

My brother used to get loads of boils. I remember my Mam bathing them with cotton pads and hot hot water.

He once had a huge one between his bum cheeks. I remember him laying on the mat in front of the fire while she bathed it. Makes them pop!

Do it. Get a flannel as hot a you can bear on the area. Disinfect it and a needle and go for it

Don't go digging, but break the surface skin and allow it to drain. As PPs say, sterilise, bathe with hot salty water etc.

And post a picture first!

Studies in cats ( who get far more abscesses) show that lancing and flushing is far, far more effective than antibiotics.

@Bridecilla

My brother used to get loads of boils. I remember my Mam bathing them with cotton pads and hot hot water.

He once had a huge one between his bum cheeks. I remember him laying on the mat in front of the fire while she bathed it. Makes them pop!

OMG that's hilarious sorry

I would be very cautious. Do you have a fever? I had a similar abscess under my arm and the doctor was very worried that I could develop septicaemia. I had to go into hospital for urgent surgery to drain it and then had to have it packed and dressed several times a week for about a month. Sorry.

As it’s already giving out some pus, I doubt that poking at it will make any difference. If it wasn’t, I’d do it, but it sounds nasty. My DD had one that would drain and had it lanced in hospital.

Wouldn’t drain I mean.

Studies in cats ( who get far more abscesses) show that lancing and flushing is far, far more effective than antibiotics

My cat had a massive boil on his head. Came up late on Christmas eve, vets all shut, emergency vets a 2hr trip away across london.

Easy going idiot cat so lancing, draining and flushing with salt water was relatively easy (for me, he had a different opinion of vets 😂)

Took him to the vets 27th with a massive hole in his head, but clean and healthy granulating tissue. Vet very impressed and said to continue, and no need for ab’s.

I’d totally stick a sterilised needle in ....

Wouldn’t drain I meant.

I don't think you can, DH had a massive boil on his back. Doctor lanced it but it had to be "packed" with a wick (length of ribbon essentially) which was reduced every few days. It was to make sure the skin didn't just grow over the hole and leave a gap.

But if you do it, please post photos.