KLAXON! Abscess in my armpit (Warning: May contain unshaven armpit!)

[ThrowThoseCurtainsWide]

I have an abscess in my armpit. It hurts like hell! I've got antibiotics for it, but as yet they're not doing anything for it. Think I might have to go up to the big hospital tomorrow to get it lanced. I'm not sure whether the lower swelling is another abscess or not. Hurts though!

Oh that was filthy!

Thank you

I’ve one like that at the moment, and the doc has me on an antibiotic. It seems to be shrinking though, so no explosion for me lol.

So. Removing the dressing was not exciting, just more frustration!! There's still stuff there, but I can't get it. The hole is now quite a big hole, and I can see that there's infected tissue inside there. But the infection is within the layers of skin rather than a collection of pus underneath it. I poked a cotton bud in there, but it didn't make much of a difference.

The lower swelling I think might still be getting bigger. And I'm pretty convinced that it's a second abscess. I'm nearly halfway through the antibiotics now. Have a feeling I'm going to have to go back next week.

I really want them to lance the bottom one!!

Oh, and the tiny little whitehead that's was next to the top boil yesterday appears to be growing...

Just for clarity, this is still my armpit!!

You can see the lower swelling and the growing whitehead just to the left of the cave of infection...

Honestly I feel for you. I had this many years ago and the pain was unbearable. It might refill. So keep an eye in it I couldn't even use the gear stick in my car it was that sore.

I have to say it's been a lot less painful since the top one emptied. It's my right pit so changing gear is okay, roundabouts and sharp corners have been a bit iffy though!!

I just zoomed in on one of the pictures and wished I hadn't...

That was ace. Well done!
I really wish I could be a nurse that specializes in books and accesses. I would love that.
Just a shame I couldn't do the rest of the nursing training in order to get there. Can't stand other types of blood etc.
But I would go into work whistling every day if I was squeezing stuff

IT'S GOT EYES!!!

I'm never going to sleep now

Jesus wept. Boils and abscesses

Lagatha I'm hoping to retrain as a nurse, and perky for that reason! I want to work in a minor injury unit or tissue viability. I'm fascinated by looking under the skin at how the body works.

Ouch! I’m assuming you can’t use deodorant properly at the moment either? Poor you!

Go for it!

Nope, no deodorant on that side, but the smell goes into the dressing

It’s like gazing into the abyss.

Hmmm. This looked like mine when I had HS. If they keep recurring OP you must see a specialist asap. Doctors and A and E staff sometimes haven't heard of it. And yes, do bleach your bathroom thoroughly and don't share towels etc!

@herbsmokedchicken And the abyss gazes back!

Amazing klaxon, OP! Hope it's not too painful and thank you for letting us all enjoy it

At least open like that, it should drain and heal well. Remember that young scabs are a yellow plaque which looks a lot like pus- don't interfere with that!

Oh I'm good at knowing which scabs / healing tissue need leaving alone...

It all seems to be getting smaller today. Very itchy this evening though which is annoying!

IdblowJonSnow what is HS?

@ThrowThoseCurtainsWide hidradenitis supprativa. I have it, and my armpit abscess was very similar

Hydrosuppurativesomethingorother. It's a chronic kind of tunnelling of abscesses, which join up underneath the skin. No I don't watch too many Sporn videos.

Oops. Xpost!

Eek, sounds nasty! I will keep an eye on mine!

Wow op GREEN PUS!
In all my years of nursing I never saw pus so green.