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If you want to see spot squeezing, popping or videos showing the removal of blackheads - this is the place for you.

Original poster

I'm in utter agony.. Please help me identify what this is..

294 replies

Inagony234 · 02/10/2021 15:51

Small lump started about a week ago, each day goes by it progresses.. Today its red raw where my thighs have rubbed together the skin has broken down. I've lathered it magnesium sulphate and hot compress... I can see a very tiny head coming up.
My god the agony is unreal.. Also don't feel myself at all. Not feverish or anything. Just feel really terrible.
What is this? Boil? Abscess??

The white stuff is magnesium sulphate BTW

OP posts:
NotMyCat · 02/10/2021 22:41

This was one of mine and you can see the redness from boob to upper arm and they wouldn't drain it until a week later (and I'm immunocompromised and high risk for neutropenic sepsis...)
I know they're fucking painful, I was on tramadol with that one
Obviously look out for sepsis symptoms but honestly, I don't think they will drain it

MrsFin · 02/10/2021 22:42

I had something similar on my breast after having a baby. After 2 lots of ABs I was admitted to hospital an had it drained under GA as an emergency.

Original poster
Inagony234 · 02/10/2021 22:44

Why would they not drain it.. Do they send you home and just tell you to wait for it to burst naturally?

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 02/10/2021 22:47

[quote SisforSoppy]@Inagony234 . A&E dr here. It’s an abscess. At best you need antibiotics,but it actually looked like you need it lanced and drained. Go to your closet A&E. x[/quote]
I agree.
( retired Triage Nurse Consultant here)

Original poster
Inagony234 · 02/10/2021 22:49

OK. I think I need to ask the neighbour to watch DD then.. :( this is just awful. I'm worried I'm just going to be sent home for nothing.

OP posts:
NotMyCat · 02/10/2021 22:49

@Inagony234

Why would they not drain it.. Do they send you home and just tell you to wait for it to burst naturally?
Because you often have to have a GA (I had to wait for a day surgery appointment) Risk of further infection Aftercare afterwards so packing it etc First step usually advised is moist warm compresses then oral antibiotics if that doesn't resolve it (or additional symptoms like pain/fever/cellulitis) and painkillers of course as needed

I have hidradenitis supprativa so am v v used to the NHS dealing with them!

NotMyCat · 02/10/2021 22:51

Have you got an out of hours or primary care centre? That might be a good option, but sometimes has to be arranged via 111. At my local hospital you can go into a&e and be triaged to see out of hours rather than emergency department

MyrealnameisBernard · 02/10/2021 22:51

Oh yikes. Looks so sore

Original poster
Inagony234 · 02/10/2021 22:53

I'm still on hold to 111. A few weeks ago I had to call them as DD had hand, foot and mouth disease, they gave us an appointment for the following morning at the community hospital which is 2 minutes away, so going to see if I can get the same.. If not, then I will go to A&E.. I don't want to risk getting sepsis or for the infection to get worse!

OP posts:
Kerikerikeri · 02/10/2021 22:56

@Benjispruce4

My reply was to those saying A&E.
An A&E doctor recommended A&E
Trinidading3 · 02/10/2021 22:57

For the pain take paracetamol and ibuprofen the mix will take away the pain and help with the inflammation.....
Hot flannel on it will bring it to a head, don't forget to massage gently all be around as much as you can . It looks like it's going to burst very soon. Keep it clean, most likely antibiotics needed. Good luckFlowers

CoastalWave · 02/10/2021 22:58

Why can't you pop it? I've popped loads bigger and nastier looking - surely it's more dangerous not to pop it? (obviously sterilised needle and lots of sudocrem to hand!)

NotMyCat · 02/10/2021 22:59

Keep putting warm wet flannels on it, the heat often helps with the pain too and make sure to regularly take whatever painkillers you can(ibuprofen and paracetamol)
I often do the warm compresses almost constantly and change them as soon as they start to cool down

Cherrysherbet · 02/10/2021 22:59

That looks so sore! I hope they call you soon 💐

PurpleDaisies · 02/10/2021 23:02

@CoastalWave

Why can't you pop it? I've popped loads bigger and nastier looking - surely it's more dangerous not to pop it? (obviously sterilised needle and lots of sudocrem to hand!)
Because it’s against what the medical advice is for managing boils/abscesses at home
Whoopy1 · 02/10/2021 23:02

A&E doctor plus Triage Nurse Consultant say go to A&E. Are those who are giving different advice medically trained? If not, please keep your advice to yourselves, and encourage the op to take the advice of those who are actually qualified to know what’s best.

Original poster
Inagony234 · 02/10/2021 23:04

Just be retriaged. They said they will get someone to call back ASAP.. I think the magnesium sulphate is working a bit, since I put it on a small head developed. I think where I've been on my feet all day today and my thighs have chaffed the skin off.. Cannot wait for it to burst!!

OP posts:
Sunshinesandice · 02/10/2021 23:04

Hope you’re ok OP!

angel1977 · 02/10/2021 23:05

Ridiculous to go to hospital or A and E with this.
Sterilise a needle or razor blade and pop it then apply the mag sulph to the wound and and a non adherent dressing like mepore.
Why cant people take some responsibility for their health? Simple self care treatment. No wonder the NHS is at breaking point.
Unless your whole leg is swelling and you feel like you are unable to function. Its sore because of where it is anf the pressure caused by the pus the inside, let it out, take painkillers and it should improve.

TheGrumpyGoat · 02/10/2021 23:11

@angel1977

Ridiculous to go to hospital or A and E with this. Sterilise a needle or razor blade and pop it then apply the mag sulph to the wound and and a non adherent dressing like mepore. Why cant people take some responsibility for their health? Simple self care treatment. No wonder the NHS is at breaking point. Unless your whole leg is swelling and you feel like you are unable to function. Its sore because of where it is anf the pressure caused by the pus the inside, let it out, take painkillers and it should improve.
The A&E Dr who commented upthread didn’t seem to think it was ridiculous to go to A&E. Or the triage nurse. And I reckon they’re probably better qualified to give that advice than you are.
Sproutpie · 02/10/2021 23:14

Place marking in anticipation of the pop 😊

Original poster
Inagony234 · 02/10/2021 23:14

As reiterated, I know people are coming from a good place, but I would never in a million years burst it myself with a needle.. Ironically, I actually work in Infection Control I would just never do it.

Update.
Clinician just rung straight away, said it needs a course of antibiotics and that they wouldn't lance it at A&E as GA is required and it would need to be booked as an outpatients surgery.
She's prescribed antibiotics and I can pick them up in the morning.. Asked her about sepsis and she said to keep an eye on worsening symptoms but once I start the antibiotics it'll eliminate risk of sepsis.

Just got to get through the night now!!

OP posts:
TheGrumpyGoat · 02/10/2021 23:15

@Inagony234

As reiterated, I know people are coming from a good place, but I would never in a million years burst it myself with a needle.. Ironically, I actually work in Infection Control I would just never do it.

Update.
Clinician just rung straight away, said it needs a course of antibiotics and that they wouldn't lance it at A&E as GA is required and it would need to be booked as an outpatients surgery.
She's prescribed antibiotics and I can pick them up in the morning.. Asked her about sepsis and she said to keep an eye on worsening symptoms but once I start the antibiotics it'll eliminate risk of sepsis.

Just got to get through the night now!!

Glad you’ve got a plan of action OP.
Pantsomime · 02/10/2021 23:15

For those saying pop it - is it near your femoral artery- you don’t want puss in there

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/10/2021 23:16

Sit with a mug of really hot ,very salty water and a clean wash cloth. Keep dipping the wash cloth in the hot water and holding it against the boil. As soon as it cools off do it again. After about half an hour of doing it cover it with Sudocrem or Savlon.

Repeat x3 over 12 hrs.

Never known this not to work and I've had bigger ones than yours.

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