Abscess on backside...

[BlackSwan]

Anyone else had the misfortune of going through this? My son is about to see a surgeon for it. Any advice or reassurance welcome.

Do you mean a pilonidal sinus? I had one of those and I'm sorry to say it but they're hideously painful - not just the abscess part, but the operation and weeks of dressing changes too.

How old is he?

I immediately thought pilonidal sinus too. My brother had one when he was around 20...for the first surgery they tried to close it up with clamps...hideously painful, he couldn't sit for weeks AND it recurred two years later. This time they left the wound open, requiring daily packing and dressing by a nurse. Far less painful for him, it healed really well, never to recur. Scar but no hole...it sort of healed from within...

While it was an enormous pain in ass (pun), he didn't get that down about it! Such a horrible thing but totally curable!

Hi thanks so much for your replies. It's a perianal abscess. He's 5. I'm super worried. He has had major health problems before and I don't want him going through anything that difficult again. He's been given antibiotics but told it likely won't clear it up... seeing the surgeon next week.

Oh ok...poor little guy! I have a 15 month old and hate the thought of him facing surgery (he probably needs his adenoids out at some point...).

While this is horrible for you, surely this is just a surgical draining required which will sort it out for him far faster than messing about with antibiotics for weeks? I would have thought surgery is a great way forward to get this OFF your plate ASAP.

It must hurt him too? I once had a cyst in my armpit which was agony. A very minor surgery (under a very brief GA) fixed it almost instantly - was so happy I did it.

Warm support to you though.

Antibiotics can work,but I think you need to get to it quickly. I've had a few of these types of things before so know the signs so can get the prescription quickly.
My colleague is recovering from one right now, as it happens, and she's pregnant so couldn't have a general. It was done under local instead.
Wait and see what happens next week and good luck with it all.

Thanks clam & LHR. It's causing me more distress than him at this stage, but only because I can see it's going to be pretty uncomfortable if this doesn't miraculously clear up with the antibiotics. Went to A&E on Sunday, where antibiotics were prescribed - doc was reluctant to 'address' it then and there, said to make an appt with GP for this friday to get a referral to a surgeon if it hadn't gone down. Thought that was a bit meek... so took him to a paediatrician yesterday (not our regular one) who also thought it wasn't 'ready' to be drained... but said he didn't think the antibiotics would do it. Have an appt for surgeon on Monday. My heart is sinking. DH keeps saying 'DS has been through worse', but I don't think he realises how rotten this could be for DS.

How is your little boy's bottom doing OP?

And do you still have your surgeon appointment on Monday?

Thinking of you!

So kind of you LHR. I managed to get the appointment brought forward to weds. Great guy with a lot of experience - put my mind at ease. He said it looked like an infection, but that the antibiotics would be required for longer (also had to re-prescribe them as we had the wrong dose and frequency...) said the thing was a bit further out on the buttock than usual... and that it looked like something other than an abscess but an infection. Seeing him again on monday to see how it progresses... hasn't gone down. Will update you! x

OP I had one in my bottom when I was around 4 years old.
Had it cut out and stitched. Don't remember anything. I think I must have had a general but that was way back in the 80s.
I do still have a scar (it was inside so not visible) but other than that, never had any probes after.
Sorry, this not much help though!

I had this as a child, must have been around 3. I have absolutely no memory of it and no lasting problems.
My poor mum however still gets upset remembering how upset I was when the would had to be packed and dressed.
Not sure how reassuring that is (probably not at all) but it'll be harder for you than for your DS, he probably won't remember it.

Thanks guys - i'd be perfectly happy if he doesn't remember it! He's having the surgery on weds. Under general, but thankfully SewButtons they don't use packing on kids (I asked!). Day surgery - I have bought a rubber ring to make him more comfortable. Let's hope it's just a one off and like you, he doesn't have this ever again!

Good luck tomorrow OP! I feel sure you will be much happier tomorrow when it is all done...please let us know...

LHR you are so kind! We are all done! Preparing for surgery was stressful of course, but it went very smoothly and he was back to himself by the time we got home - skipped up the steps and sat playing without any apparent discomfort. Very glad it's done. I wasn't expecting such a quick recovery! Have to be careful with bathing and changing dressings etc, but provided it heals well in the coming days that should be it! Let's hope we don't get another one of these EVER!

Yee hah OP!!! So delighted to read this!! Hope he is still skipping 24 hours before on!! Well done...