Is this infected

[hellywelly3]

So I had an 8 cm sebaceous cyst removed end of January. I had it under general anaesthetic and absorbable stitches.
It’s just not healing. My husband (in his sleep100% accidental) elbowed it beginning of February which caused it to open a tiny bit and bleed. Minor injuries unit dressed it, all seemed ok. Had it checked by 2 different GP’s when there for other reasons (uti, thyroid meds)
Then Tuesday evening it started pouring with fluid. Back to minor injuries unit who sent me to main hospital surgical assessment unit where I had the operation done. They didn’t seem concerned at all. They just dressed it and said change the dressing once a day for about a week, which I have done. They said come back if it started to smell. But it just looking worse and worse. No smell, but it’s been so painful. Don’t know what to do.

I would expect it to be healed by now. You need antibiotics imo

Christ. I'd lie and say it smells. That doesn't look happy at all.

Yikes, that looks infected AF! You wouldn't necessarily be able to smell it if it's on your back. I'd go back and be a bit more insistent.

Do you feel unwell at all? A bit achey, or fluey? Any way of taking your temperature?

I’d be prescribing you some antibiotics for that. It’s not healing well.

No temperature, I don’t feel unwell, it’s painful but it’s been painful the whole time

That's pus. It's infected.

Yes I think I do. DH & DD say it looks fine so I’m doubting myself

This is what I said to them at the hospital. But they said it would smells so bad that I would definitely smell it.

That's infected. There would be blood or clear fluid if it wasn't not pus. GP or even prescribing nurse tomorrow, if not, maybe a pharmacy with a prescribing pharmacist.

That looks like it's very infected. You can see pus on it.

I'd have expected much better healing by now. Do you have a minor injuries clinic or a walk in centre? I'd want that looked at by a nurse trained in wound care.

I agree with the other posters about it possibly being infected and also wonder if you're having a foreign body reaction to the absorbable sutures? It looks like you could be getting a keloid scar there too. I think you need antibiotics now and the wound reviewing by the original surgical team.

Thanks all. I’ll call gp in the morning

Just a little update. It’s definitely infected. I’m back in hospital on IV antibiotics waiting to go to theatre. It’s will be getting washed out and packed.

Thank goodness you've finally been given some assistance OP. It looks angry, red and pus-filled to me - all of which = infection and I'm no medic! Honestly, the standard of care you get from the NHS these days sometimes beggars belief.

Poor you op! Glad it’s being dealt with now.

I’m surprised you don’t feel poorly OP, and glad you’re being sorted

You need this swabbed and start on antibiotics asap. Maybe even cleaned again surgically or with the nurse. This isn’t healing

I’m pleased to hear that. Not everyone feels unwell and not every wound will smell. The initial health care people you saw were ill informed.

Crikey hope you feel better soon, that looks very sore

Hope yours feeling better, I'd make a complaint once you've recovered

I feeling loads better. Came home last night. I have a 9cmx4cm cavity that is packed. I have to get it repacked everyday and have been told it will take weeks rather than days to heal. On oral antibiotics. Thanks all for your advice. Sometimes it’s nice just to get that reassurance that you’re not over reacting

@hellywelly3 glad you are starting to feel better.....that was definitely a sporner corner champion!?

I am sorry it took so long for them to recognise that it was infected and made the treatment so much worse. I hope it all settles soon.

Glad you’re feeling better.

Just a little warning that a cavity of that size might take longer to heal than they have said in hospital. They often underestimate and the practice nurses are more realistic as they see them healing day to day.

Make sure you’re eating well, lots of protein and maybe some supplements to help with healing.