Abscess on breast not BF go to doc?

[maighdlin]

I have a massive abscess on my left breast. I am not breast feeding. the actual lump is about 2cm in diameter but i have a swollen red area around it approx 8-9cm in diameter. it is really painful. should i try to get to out of hours gp in the morning or leave it and try and see normal gp? in NI so no access to NHS direct. really worried and sore but at the same time don't want to look like an idiot calling up doctor.

how do you feel in yourself? do you have a temperature? how long has it been there? does the skin feel hot to touch?

i noticed it intially on thursday. have felt like crap for the past few days but thought i had caught DD's tummy bug. its very hot to the touch

if it's hot then it's infected, and you need some antibiotics.

I would see the doctor tomorrow, tonight I'd put a hot compress on it, as hot as you can stand, to try and bring it to a head (sorry sounds grim I know) don't whatever you do squeeze it, but if you put a hot compress on it/take a hot bath, it might just burst on its own, which would relieve the pressure and stop it hurting so much.

I'm not a medical professional by the way, this is just what I would do, I've had a nasty boil before, they're horrible, hope you feel better soon x

thank you for the advice.

i have had an abscess before on my leg and it was agony but never felt ill with it. maybe its just a coincidence that im ill and i get this thing. will def try the out of hours tomorrow

again thanks.

You should def go to a doctor asap. Its ounds to me as though you're fighting an infection and need ABs.

I had a painful lump (not breast) a while ago, and went to the GP Friday afternoon because it was becoming more painful. He diagnosed an abscess and sent me straight to hospital, and it was incised and drained under GA that night.

It will need treating. It will be increasingly painful until it is (sorry). I'd go today. Even if they decide on a different course of action (eg trying antibiotics first), you should at least get strong enough painkillers, which will make a huge difference to how you cope.