Can I lance an infected cyst at home?

[TitsalinaBumSquash]

I have a very infected cyst under my armpit, on day 3 of antibiotics and I'm in so much pain, I've tried hot flannels pressed on it and pain killers are doing nothing. GP won't touch it because it's infected and she couldn't be 100% sure it's not a lymph node, i discovered it many years ago when it was dried pea sized and the GP then said it was a cyst and she was happy to leave it there as there was no risk of it becoming sinister.

So. If I drink a large shot of whiskey can I safely stick a needle or something in it to try and relieve the pain? I think I know the answer will be no but it's soooooo sore! 😫

With my sensible head on, I'd say if the GP won't lance it you probably shouldn't do it yourself!

With my sporner head on... show us a pic and we'll tell you what to do

Here's she is, it's like a bollock! Excuse my gross armpit, it's clean at leat I promise!

I've had those ..... from experience I'd say it doesn't look ready to burst. Looks too "soft", that it doesn't have a head.

Sadly it'll probably burst of it's own accord .... so don't be wearing white tools for the next wee while!

Don't do it. It may have tracked and require packing.

Bit shocked your GP has left you hanging. Has she given you antibiotics, referral to other medic or sent you on your merry way???

Is there a nurse based at the surgery??

Love the term Sporner by the way....what does it mean lol??

Sporn = spot porn!

Poor you OP! I can see how tempting it is to stab that bugger but as pp said, it doesn't look ready to me

I'd do it though but then I'm not the most responsible person when it comes to shit like this!

I've got 7 days of Flucloxacillin 4 x daily (from Thursday morning) then she said to go back after 2 weeks when it's had time to settle to discuss it.
There are 2 GP's at the surgery that perform minor surgery in an evening clinic so I'm hoping I can get it whipped out.
It goes down deep into the armpit but the pain radiates into my boob and up into my shoulder and jaw.

Agree it doesn't look ready, also as GP thinks it's not a good idea I'd be inclined to leave it, for now.

Don't touch it whilst it's infected. This really needs to be removed by a professional otherwise it'll come back.

Oh you poor thing.

I don't think you should do it yourself but I can see why you'd want to.

If you start to feel fluey or feverish you need to be seen straight away.

Has there been any improvement at all since Thursday?

No improvement, it's changed shape though from a ball to a sausage!

You can, if you film it.

I can't raise my arm very far so I'm not sure I could anyway. I think I'll be back at the GP Monday if there's no great improvement.
I feel fine in myself so that's alright.

Mumsnet is just Ace . Sporner corner fro Spot porn! cheers Blah

Titsalina it will be tempting to prod and poke and lance but don't. There'll be time for that but it doesn't sound like its now. Keep at those antibiotics religously. If you can take an anti-inflammatory like brufen.... then do so. It'll help with the discomfort.

It looks so sore bless ya. But I'll slap your hands if you go near it

Loose clothing too. And ditto what Venus said about the feverish and fluey feeling - get seen straight away.

Ooh you poor sausage. Agree with the others, as much as it pains me to say, it doesn't look ready!

It doesn't look ready.... sadly

I had something like this a few years ago. It was fucking agony. Sitting up or lying down, the whole left side of my body would throb.

Took a good week of pain before it burst. Oh it was awful. But let it run its natural course. It hasnt been back and I think it's because I gave it chance to burst and then heal on its own.

I had one like that on my fanny I can totally feel your pain. I felt like I was whacked with a sledgehammer down there, and i walked like John Wayne for about a week. Germolene of all things really helped me. And the day it burst was like heaven. Good luck and I hope you get relief soon.
X

Is it going to smell really bad when it pops? I've never had one like this before....

I had one cut out earlier this year. The dermatologist told me that it could smell really bad if it burst while he was removing it. It did burst but luckily it didn't smell. I'd had it for about three weeks. Mis diagnosed by gp who insisted it was inflamed scar tissue from an insect bite despite it being the size of a bloody marble and extremely painful.
Went private as I wasn't convinced and it was a cyst.... dermatologist removed it there and then.
Hopefully yours won't smell

The pain has ramped up ten fold this evening, I feel quite nauseous too. I wonder if it's worth calling OOH after 3 days of antibiotics or if they'll just tell me to keep on with the course?
I have a big thing I'm mean to be going to on Monday, it's been planned for a year and I really don't want to back out, I worry if I went to OOH they'll stick me on ivs or something?

How's your temperature?

Any chills, aches, sweating, fever?

Are you normally nauseous on ABs?

I would personally like to see you get checked sooner rather than later. They won't put you on IV ABX unless you need them.

I had something similar. Started exactly like yours. Antibiotics not helping and redness was spreading. I was admitted to hospital. They tried to aspirate it, couldn't, and it was removed under general anaesthetic. Yes , go to OOH hospital.

If you're feeling unwell now it might be worth a call to ooh doctor, if it's one attached to a hospital, they might send you to A&E to have it properly removed . You need to get the whole sac out otherwise it might come back.

If you want to do it yourself ,I can talk you through the whole process- I watch Dr Pimple Popper so I'm practically a qualified dermatologist!

^ joking - dont do it yourself .