abscess, under arm will it go away on its own?

[NoahVale]

or do i have to have antibiotics?

actually i dont even know if it Is an abscess
it is red and swollen

I needed antibiotics. They took about three days to kick in, and it was agony until they did. Get to your GP's tomorrow.

A/Bs as soon as you possibly can. I've had a few of these over the years; those I haven't got tended to quickly have resulted in surgery to remove, with weeks of (painful) dressing changes (if it's a deep hole, the wound has to be packed with gauze so it heals from the base upwards).

Sorry to be the messenger of doom - let's hope yours takes a different path.

oh clam i have been through that already
this is a new one above the original

Is it a Pilonidal sinus?

under arm is not pilonidal is it? isnt that the bottom?

It won't be a pilonidal sinus, those are found at the natal cleft (top of the bum crack).

And yes, go to your GP and get it checked out, you will likely need a course of antibiotics.

I've had a few over the years and some go away on their own ( although those ones tend to recurr) without treatment, some need antibiotics and some need drainage. I tend to be a wait and see type, if it gets worse, you develop a temp or feel unwell in any way then see a doctor.

Is there an Urgent Care/Out of Hours service near you?

I've also had a pilonidal sinus before. They're horrendous! If you're prone to these sorts of things, then it's more than likely it's a similar thing again. Do try and get seen by someone today.

thanks,
will wait and see

no it is not pilonidal, it is just a red swollen lump under arm pit, however there is a radiating pain to elbow. , whihc of course could be tennis elobw
and when i was busy earlier i completely forgot aobut it.

so will go with wait and get on with things

Hmm, sorry, but I really don't think you should wait. The longer you leave it, the more likely it is that antibiotics won't sort it, and that drainage is the only course of action.
I'm the last person to want to "waste the NHS's time," but I'd make an exception with this.

Ok I just read about the pain down your arm, yep it's probably going to need treatment so I think you should head to the doctor.

Ab's are a waste of time if it's recurring as they don't work after a while and it's bacterial. My dh was on them for a full year and they didn't touch it.
My dh has had HS for 30 years and is stage 2, your gp won't know much about it you'll need to google and take the info to him/her.

Try this www.hidradenitissuppurativa.co.uk/public/home.html

oh Gilly they said that before but I dont like the sound of that,

and one of the consultants discounted that HS diagnosis

This is good too, for anyone who may feel they have this disease.
www.mdjunction.com/hidradenitis-suppurativa

You need to get it looked at. I ended up with septicaemia (which is potentially fatal) as a result of ignoring an abscess. See your GP as soon as you can.

thanks seal,
might make sure it is my regular GP who has seen it before

Ah I thought you could also get Pilonidal sinus in your arm pits. They're horrible!!

Hope you get sorted op X