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Original poster

Perianal Abscess

49 replies

AliSxo · 26/08/2021 19:14

Hi, my son is 8mo and a few weeks ago during nappy change I noticed a small little spot by his anus, rang GP who said it was concentrated nappy rash after I sent a photo, said sudocrem should sort it. Of course it didn't and he still has it only one has appeared on the other side now and although that never has a head on it, it seems to be more under the surface. The original spot seems to head a head, it'll drain and then refill. We have had a week of acidic cream that was prescribed but told to call back after a week if it hadn't resolved which it hasn't. My googling makes me think this is a perianal abscess, has anyone else experienced this? Xx

OP posts:
BlackSwan · 26/08/2021 19:40

Hi, yes when my son was 5 he had an abscess which was operated on... but then developed into a fistula, which was also operated on and fingers crossed we have not had a recurrence.
Bearing in mind you don't have a diagnosis yet I hope it doesn't come to this for you. I know how worrying this is. Are you in the UK? We were seen at Great Ormond St, which has a lot of experience.

Original poster
AliSxo · 26/08/2021 19:57

Hi @BlackSwan we're in the Uk closer to Birmingham, it hasn't been diagnosed so agreed it's good to just hope it's not that. If it's not to much could I ask the process you went through with your GP to get seen by a specialist etc? How did you know it had developed into a fistula? Hope your son is ok now xx

OP posts:
BlackSwan · 26/08/2021 20:44

Hi Ali, I think we were referred by his paediatrician - but he was already seen at GOSH for other completely unrelated stuff so we were already in the system so to speak. Your GP should be able to provide a referral.
This is going on 6 years now (my son is 11 and doing v well, no more bottom issues). I think the surgeon diagnosed him just visually with the abscess but when it returned he had an MRI which showed the path of the complex fistula.

Again - getting ahead of things here, hopefully it’s a much simpler issue with your little one & perhaps there’s a different approach with babies.
If it’s helpful to have the surgeon’s name I’m happy to share.

Mamascoven · 26/08/2021 20:56

Yes my son had one at 3 weeks old. He ended up having to have surgery to have it drained but no fistula was found and it has been fine since. It literally just popped up one day out of nowhere but it never had a head on it was just a hard red lump. The surgery was pretty straight forward it only took about 45 minutes if that. The hardest thing was him being NBM.

Original poster
AliSxo · 26/08/2021 22:16

Thanks @BlackSwan @Mamascoven he's already had a hernia operation so we know the drill so to speak, just hoping it gets resolved quickly he'll start nursery soon but I'm sure they'll have seen these things before and we're already on the ball with it. I'm hoping it's not causing him pain, makes me sad to think it's really sore and he can't tell he but he's such a happy baby so I think we'd know if the pain was constant and he lets me touch the area to apply the cream so it can't be agony. Xx

OP posts:
BlackSwan · 27/08/2021 11:35

My son wasn't too sore with it - just tender in the immediate area.
Mamascoven's post has made me remember that the surgeon said that more often than not it's just a simple abscess. We were quite unlucky, but in the long run things have been ok at any rate.
I hope you manage to deal with this quickly. Best of luck.

Ljhbaby · 28/09/2021 03:35

Hi,

My little one had an abscess appear at 10 days old. He was also prescribed and acidic cream which didn’t work but I feel the abscess self resolved then re-appeared. We are now nearly the end of a course of oral antibiotics which doesn’t seem to have worked as the abscess is still present. My poor baby just has a bad tummy but remains to feed well and doesn’t seem to be bothered by the abscess.
I am also birmingham way and I am convinced he may need surgery.

How are you getting on ?

Ash09876 · 21/01/2022 18:10

My son was also born with two Abscess near his anus. He’s 11 weeks old now . It keeps popping leaking discharge and regrowing. The doctor reckons it needs to be operated on. So he’s been refered to the hospital so I’m waiting for appointment. Could you tell me what the process is?

BlackSwan · 22/01/2022 07:24

I'm sorry you're dealing with this & I hope it's easily resolved for your son.

Do you mean the process with the hospital? Or with the operation should he need it?
Can't say for certain, as I only have our experience to go on... but I wonder if they might scan considering there are 2 abscesses. I would definitely ask if there's any benefit to doing that before an op. The abscess op was just a small incision & cleaning it out as I recall. It was very minor.

I hope the appointment comes up soon. Write down your questions beforehand so you cover everything you want. x

Ash09876 · 22/01/2022 07:40

Well the gps reckons it will need a operation because it keeps busting then regrowing. I just wondered what the hospital will do when they first see him at his appointment. I don’t know anyone else that has had it before. I just hope they can sort it out very soon x

Simer · 01/02/2022 14:08

Hi all

I've had the exact same issue 2 perianal abscesses on my 12 week old boy. They both release pus every now and again. I've been cleaning them with warm water and cotton pad. The gp isn't too concerned even though he thinks there might be a fistula have why they aren't resolving. I don't understand how he got one and then 5 weeks later another one. I'm concerned that they will need recurrent surgeries. Can some who's gone through the surgery tell me if incontinence of bowel was an issue as a result of the fistulotomy and when is the earliest they'll operate in terms of age? And what do I do in the mean time whilst these abscesses are there as the GP won't prescribe any abx yet. Xx

BlackSwan · 01/02/2022 15:56

Hi Simer, I can see why you're concerned even if the GP isn't. What's his plan? If it's do nothing, unless there's a decent reason, I would ask him to refer you to a specialist/surgeon. A scan would hopefully show whether it is a fistula or not.

My son was older so perhaps that's why the drs were more on the front foot - I don't know what age they normally operate. I was naturally worried about the possibility of incontinence too - but thankfully that hasn't been an issue at all.

All we did whilst waiting for surgery was clean with some saline solution when the abscess emptied. Sending hugs.

Simer · 15/03/2022 14:35

Thanks @BlackSwan. I've had our first paed surgical appointment today. The Dr seems convinced its a fistula and has offered us a surgery day in 2 weeks time. I'm a bit nervous now especially about the nbm considering he's 4 months today. Did anyone else go ahead with the surgery @Ash09876 did you go ahead with surgery think your baby's is the same age as mine? Is their any benefit to leaving it longer? How did you guys cope with the nbm in a baby? Anything that can help me prepare mentally would be great

BlackSwan · 16/03/2022 10:49

Hi Simer - do you know what kind of surgery is planned? When my son had surgery on what was assumed to be an abscess it was really minor surgery, but then later he had the fistula 'layed open' - which was more invasive.
Poor little tiger, only natural that you're nervous.

Ljhbaby · 17/03/2022 09:23

@Simer my baby boy was exactly the same re-occurring abscess, I am still awaiting appointment at the childrens however his ‘flare ups’ seem to have slowed down significantly. His last flare up was the worst with about 4 abscess heads all around his anus. Cleared up within a day and nothing since and that was about 5-6 Weeks ago maybe more so maybe hold fire if causing no significant problems

Ash09876 · 17/03/2022 09:58

Hey, when my son went to the hospital and they went to review him in a few months time and are hoping it will sort itself out. If it doesn’t they will operate when he’s a year old.

Ljhbaby · 17/03/2022 10:49

Yes I suspect this will be the case with my son. He’s 6 months now and appears to be getting better and less flare ups.
It’s upsetting isn’t it so big hugs to you all

Simer · 17/03/2022 15:02

Hi @BlackSwan that's exactly what they are saying they'll do a laying open surgery. How old was your DC at the time? Hopefully no recurrence? What was recovery like? And how did you manage the NBM ? Sorry about the questions. Our surgery is in 11 days our surgeon thinks it's better to crack on with it in case to avoid sepsis but I've got cold feet

BlackSwan · 17/03/2022 22:01

My DS was 6 when he had the surgery- not going to lie, it is invasive and seeing the wound was confronting. At his age also he was aware of what was going on, which doesn't make it easier. I found I just had to steel myself to take care of the wound, because my DH was a bit too squeamish. But I don't want to alarm you, you will get through it. Also as your DS is little, presumably the incision will be smaller too.

Because of where it is, the wound necessarily gets covered in poo (sorry TMI) which made me worry it would get infected even if we cleaned right away - but it didn't & apparently it's not likely to just from getting poo in it.

We rinsed him as advised (very weak saline if I recall), in a shallow plastic tub but I'm sure the surgeon will give you clear instructions on how to keep it clean. Thankfully when they're young they heal quickly once you get through the first few days.

Though it was tough honestly, it would have been a mistake for us to have avoided it. DS is 12 now and thank goodness there has been no recurrence.

Nil by mouth isn't easy with little ones - but hopefully being young your baby will be first on the list for surgery on the day, so less waiting. However you are feeding just be ready for a feed right after he wakes up.

It's a very tough time, I hope it all goes well and you can put it behind you very soon. xx

Simer · 18/03/2022 15:16

@Ljhbaby fingers crossed it stays that way. Our surgeon was inclined towards sorting it out while it's quiescent so even though he booked it at the end of the month I've pushed it out by another month as I want him to be able to get through the nbm on the day a lot easier when he's older.. only time will tell. Have you found out what the plan is with your son. Big hugs to you and all the mums in this post. Will keep you posted xx

Ljhbaby · 18/03/2022 15:57

No I’m still awaiting for my referral to come through. I spoke to another lady on here who had gone through similar whos surgeon was inclined to wait longer as he will grow out of it. Thats defo what I’ve seen in our case so far.

It’s very difficult to know what to do for the best as so many different opinions.

Simer · 12/04/2022 20:36

Couldn't agree more. There seems to be no definitive approach. Our surgery is booked for week after Easter. I'm getting cold feet. His second abscess which had faded off has returned too! Just don't know what to think of them except come here to have a vent! Need some prayers!! Xx

Ljhbaby · 13/04/2022 05:00

@Simer so we finally had our appt Monday. Typical the day the letter came he had a small pimple appear after nothing for say 6 weeks! He’s currently got nappy rash after the brands have changed their wipes to plastic free which has irritated his skin so at appt his bum looked redder than ever which is typical.

They have said they wish to do surgery as they think they can see a fistula in the 2 o clock position which interestingly wasn’t the primary place his abscess appeared.

I too am getting cold feet as they said it normally self resolves by the age of 1 yet they worry of reoccurrence if nothing done.

My husband really doesn’t want it done but I just don’t know.

It’s the thought of inflicting surgery if it’s not really an issue

Simer · 16/04/2022 21:11

@Ljhbaby yes that's how I felt at our paediatric appt .. didn't want to complicate an issue which may correct itself. However we had a more inflamed presentation recently and another access which had obliterated previously came back to life so now we are getting ready for surgery on the 25th. Its gonna be bloody hard especially nbm and after care and of course sitting through the procedure on my own as only one parent allowed due to Covid.. gosh I could do with lots of prayers. How old is your little one? Apparently they like to operate when it's quiescent so we doing abx cause of the recent flare up. Remember it's your child you are in charge. If you aren't comfortable ask all your questions. When do they want to operate. Did they say how long recovery is and are they gonna lay it open? Also did they mention how successful it is

Simer · 16/04/2022 21:13

@LjhbabyI get it its really hard just getting used to the idea. Stay strong for your LO and your family. Your son doesn't even know what's going to happen and will forget about it soon... sending hugs x