Sebaceous cyst - infected?

[RPopz]

Sorry this is a little gross! I've had two little hard lumps under the skin on my chest for ages - I've always assumed they're sebaceous cysts. Never given me any jip before aside from being unsightly. This week one of them has been a little red and sore. In the shower this morning I noticed its about 4 times bigger now!! Under the warm water I managed to squeeze some pus out of it... Its now very red and sore and lumpy I guess its infected but not sure what to do. Normally I'd take the wait and see approach as Drs appointments are a nightmare to get, walk in centre is miles away and its definitely not bad enough for A&E! But am feeling overly cautious as I'm 9 and a half weeks pregnant. Any advice?

Oh poor you. I suffer with infected hair follicles a lot, so I can imagine how you feel.
Does your GPs do an 'over phone' triage?
In my opinion, I would want a little bit of professional advice on the problem. I would call your GPs and mention to reception you have a possible infection and you are pregnant. See if a Dr can call you and have a chat if there aren't any appts free.
Make sure you keep the area clean and dry in the mean time. Best of luck!!

I think I might have made it angrier by squeezing it... but I figure whatever's in there needs to come out!

My mum has one atm. It is infected. GP said it will take weeks to sort out. He cannot cut it out until the infection disappears. She is on about the 6th lot of abs.

Fucking useless GP surgery says the same as it always says.... no appointments, ring at 8am, noone will speak to you over the phone...

I've had one for years and hate it. Seems too trivial to mention to GP but I'd love to be rid of it. The innards seem too solid to squeeze out. Last time mine got all angry I took a selfie of it to show GP at some point. I think it's so unsightly. It seems to go in cycles from totally calm to raised and sore very regularly, I wonder if it's linked into hormones.

Keep us posted, love to know if the GP will shred to remove it.

Rang NHS direct and they said to see GP in next 24 hours. So I guess I'll have to go in morning a be late to work which is a bit of a pain. I've had warm compress on it for a couple of hours and a lot more gunk has come out of it.... bork. Still not getting any smaller though!

Sound the klaxon and ask the sporners for advice. They may well ask for a photo but they really do know how to get rid of gunk.

You can't squeeze them out. Think of it like a grape under your skin. So like pus in a ball. You need to have it taken out if it bothers you. Make a gp appointment , ask for minor surgeries clinic if they have one?

OK! You are not supposed to squeeze them. They need to be cut out. Sorry! If you squeeze them then the shell remains and they just fill up again. I've had numerous (one huge on my back a few years ago). Luckily the doctor will do mine. Had another out (sort of pea sized) a month ago (that was growing from the same scar as the big one that didn't come out completely). They need to come out with the shell otherwise they'll keep coming back. Even if they have a head don't squeeze. They are hereditary and there's nothing you can do about them - it's nothing to do with hygiene. If they get big, itch or feel sore go to the doctors and get antibiotics and BEG for them to be removed. Please don't squeeze.

Don't squeeze it or you could end up with a more dangerous infection like septicemia. You should get it checked out with GP anyway though.

Its not really that impressive - sorry Bear!

Point taken, I will refrain from squeezing! I only did a little because the warmth of the shower seemed to be encouraging the gunk out, I was very gentle

Thanks all x

I had one on my chin a while back, was given antibiotics and it cleared up within about a week.

Antibiotics from GP. No mention of removal. It's oozing quite freely this morning.... bork.

I had 1 down there and was in agony with it for nearly a year, doc wouldn't do anything at all, eventually agreed to cut it out after I kinda hobbled in in tears,

If the cyst is infected then the pus is definitely better out than in, so if it is oozing then that is a good thing. If the pus doesnt drain and it doesnt respond to antibiotics then it may need to be cut open to allow the pus to escape as a matter a urgency before it gets too bad and makes you unwell.

Once the infection has settled, then you should consider getting the cyst itself removed - it is like a water balloon so will refill even if it had drained itself. This can usually be done under local anaesthetic. There are local anaesthetics which are safe in pregnancy, or it can be left until later.

The main thing is to get it looked at sooner than later if it is filing with pus because if it needs to be cut open it is better to get it done when it is still small and can be done under local than leave it to get too big when it may need a general anaesthetic (slightly higher risk in pregnancy).

Hope it settles soon.

Yesterday, I went through a painful procedure to remove an infectious abscess caused by a cyst on the bottom of my skull. I have another on the left of my skull which i will electively remove as would not want anyone to go through the pain that lasted over 2 weeks.