Enormous underarm boil... does this need a doctor?

[lemonsandgingerbeer]

Apologies for the stubble

This has come up over the last 4 days and it's super-annoying. Magnesium sulphate hasn't done much, nor have hot compresses (although it has grown pretty big pretty fast).

Should I get to the docs to have it drained?

Just bookmarking for further pictures ;)
Really hope it starts feeling better soon.

I really feel for you OP. For some reason I used to have a recurring problem with this. They are very uncomfortable indeed and can sometimes spread alarmingly. I once went to A and E in the night when one got particularly bad and the infection was moving down my arm. I am really glad you got antibiotics. They will sort it out.

I had so many different pieces of advice how to deal with them, everybody I talked to have a different idea and that includes the different nurse and doctors I spoke to. In the end I came to the conclusion that it is actually better NOT to fiddle about with compresses or anything else which involves touching them. I really don't think it is a good idea to treat them as a giant whitehead. Please don't squeeze it, however much people on here might like the pic! Just get straight in there with antibiotics and then make sure your whole body is well eg. get lots of sleep, eat well, take bits and drink lots of water etc. This is obviously a non medical opinion, but based on quite a bit of experience.

I got so fed up with them recurring that I went to a homeopath because I felt I wanted a systemic solution. I can't remember what she gave me and I'm not sure I believe in it anyway, but they never came back after that and I think just being able to talk about myself for an hour and being really listened to helped a lot. In retrospect I was very run down at the time and that probably didn't help.

I hope it goes quickly!

This sounds a bit disgusting - my grandmothers recipe for boils etc was to spit on them! Your spit contains compounds from your immune system. So it usually brings them to a head or clears them quickly. I have tried this many times with boils, nasty spots, cuts etc. It always works.

I had a very nasty boil on the labia majora a couple of months ago so even less convenient than under the arm! I took antibiotics (I always have some in the house), used hot compresses and ran the hot shower attachment on it several times a day to keep it clean. I also spat on it several times a day. It burst, discharged and began to evaporate after 3 days but was very sore.

God that looks painful! Not that I'm watching of course...

@lemonsandgingerbeer
Speak to a doctor ASAP. You need strong antibiotics to treat that. Not to scare you but i had 1 very very similar 10 years ago. I went to the docs too late and the antibiotics didnt work. I ended up in A&E, admitted and had to have an operation to drain it. It grew at least 3 times the size of yours.

I really do need an update on this when it happens.

Head's growing...

I have to keep my hand on my hip constantly now - I look like a teapot

I physically couldn’t resist popping that now never mind all the sensible advice. Hope it’s not too painful!

I would pop it too

That's so beautiful. I can't wait.

Hot flannel and a bit of a prod and that would be gone!

Poppppp ittttt!!!!!

Get that popped op.

@PawsQueen omg it's identical to ops. That hole omg....

You're a woman of remarkable restraint OP 😁

Pop pop pop

Oh my goodness. Be careful with it OP, I know there is audience pressure from us but I’m slightly worried for you and fascinated

Yeah to be fair I did stick a scalpel in mine the first time and it poured

@Handsnotwands

Shamelessly place marking

Wow!

Ooh that is beautiful

Get that popppppppped! Excited about the pics

I don’t think that will gush, I think that’s swelling not pus in there. Be careful you don’t want to push it deeper.

That is some impressive restraint!
(Shamelessly placemarking 😁 )