Bartholin's gland - abscess

[Tiktok]

Can anyone help with some advice on how my 16-year-old daughter can speed her recovery from an abscess on the Bartholin's gland (on the vulva)? She is just about dead with embarrassment about it, and in some pain. Can't walk or sit comfortably. The doc has prescribed antibiotics, the pharmacist suggested Sudocrem to soothe it, and on my suggestion she has sat in a bath twice today. It seems to be getting bigger and worse (she won't let me look - this is just from her description) and I wonder how common it is to get them drained, just as you might with a boil/abscess anywhere else? If she does, can the doc do it on the spot with a local?

The only abscesses I have experience of are dental ones. Swelling usually showing on the outside of the gum the swelling is full of pus and what we would do was lance them!! I must admit it used to be great fun (I know I'm a bit sick). The patient would get immediate relif as I'm sure your daughter would.

Personally if it is coming up again, I'd get her to swab it (to clean the area), heat up a needle in tweezers (sterilize it) and lance it yourselves. The same as the Doc. would do. The antibiotics should start to kick in in a couple of days too.

If she's sexually active please don't let her forget that antibiotics + upset tummy + contraceptive pill = baby. But I'm sure that's the last thing on her mind!

The only time I've ever seen this problem was professionally and the poor lady was also about five months pregnant. She had it drained under anaesthetic and it's a very quick and simple procedure. I'm just wondering how long your daughter's been on the antibiotics? If it's more than four or so days and it's getting bigger (it must be very uncomfortable as it's in a very awkward place) then I would suggest another visit to the doctors as she may need either some alternative antibiotics or treatment. I can't be more helpful than that I'm afraid and I don't know if this woman had a general because she was pregnant or because the abcess was so big or why. I personally would find it far less embarrassing to be unconcious whilst they did the necessary and thinking about her age,she might too. The baths sound like a good idea and chuck a good handful of salt in it. Good luck.

The poor girl, how awful. Would this be something that a kind nurse at your practice would do, rather than maybe a GP? Might be worth asking. Binza's right with the salt baths - and I also wonder if some tea tree cream (available widely, we use the Nelson's one) might help. It really is magical stuff. I hope she feels better again soon and that it hasn't interfered with sitting her GCSEs or whatever.

Tiktok, yes if she's been on the AB's for a while and it's getting bigger, she definitely needs to see the doc. again. I don't think you would find a surgeon willing to do a GA on an abscess.

I had one once, it is soooo painful, It is just inside the labia at the entrance to the vagina. I have lots of sympathy for your daughter. I kept putting a hot flannel on it until it burst and then (this is disgusting) kept squeezing it until I got rid of all the pus and it bled. I did it several times a day. If she can't cope with doing it herself see if she'll le you do it but it does hurt. You could put some Xylocaine gel on it first,that numbs it. If it is not seen to it is likely to occur again apparently and that can be nasty if you have to have surgery.

Thanks for the good advice and sympathy! In fact she woke this morning and it had burst by itself...a bit messy : (

I took her to the doc's and she was told that it was good that it had burst, and she had a swab taken. Still taking the a/bs of course, still feeling crap, but I think the worst is over...I'd forgotten how good tea tree oil is, yes, that's a great tip - she already has some in the house because she was disinfecting her belly button piercing with it ; ) .

Thanks again. What an excellent resource mumsnet is : )