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Sporner corner

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

Original poster

Sporner help!

22 replies

SantaHat · 07/12/2021 16:41

Hey lovely sporners!
I’m hoping one of you can help me with getting some help with a sporner issue.
My elderly father has some big cysts on his back that are really bothering him. His GP agrees that they need to be surgically removed asap (especially as he’s had a history of a nasty back cyst getting infected in the past).
However, the GP doesn’t currently have anyone doing minor surgery and are being spectacularly unhelpful. Does anybody have any good ideas? I’ve had a quick look at some options and they seem to be hundreds per cyst, which we don’t have.
Also, whilst I would love to have a go at them, because of his age and history I really don’t want to risk them getting infected.

Any suggestions welcome and pics for you guys as I know you’ll like them ;)

OP posts:
picklemewalnuts · 07/12/2021 16:43

You can't do anything with those, I wouldn't think. I mean, they do in the states if they don't have insurance, but I'd not recommend it and I'm usually the first to shout 'drain it!'.

Ask about the NHS 'right to choose', see if you can get it done somewhere else.

Rekorderlig88 · 08/12/2021 22:20

Ah goodness what a shame.
I notice the double one at the top has some? Blackheads maybe could give those a squeeze and see what happens.

Original poster
SantaHat · 08/12/2021 22:35

The double header and the one below all have a tiny blackhead point and I would love to give them a squeeze but I am terrified about them getting infected if I do :( he is 90 after all!

Btw I chased the GP today and they can’t even give me a rough eta on when he might be treated despite the fact he’s in a lot of discomfort.

OP posts:
loubieloo4 · 08/12/2021 23:29

I would give them a squeeze! Try a sterilised needle to help it along.

They could be infected in there already, and as long as you don't start with a dirty scalpel I'm sure you'll be fine. Obviously make sure your hands are clean and with gloves if you have any.

If not whereabouts do you live, I'm sure we could send out a sporners recuse team 🤣

dane8 · 09/12/2021 00:07

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picklemewalnuts · 09/12/2021 07:34

Thing is, if they are bothering him now, they'll bother him a lot more if you've made the area tender with squeezing.

Original poster
SantaHat · 09/12/2021 07:55

Thing is, if they are bothering him now, they'll bother him a lot more if you've made the area tender with squeezing.
This is my concern too @picklemewalnuts. I don’t have the nice pain numbing jabs of dr pimple popper!

OP posts:
JuneOsborne · 09/12/2021 08:00

What about hot compresses to see if any draws out naturally?

You can buy lidocaine to numb the area, which might be worth doing without squeezing to give him some relief.

Can he take ibuprofen?

I'd be tempted to make up a brown Dettol wash (instructions are on the bottle for a first aid dilution) and get him to bathe them twice a day. He could soak a flannel in the diluted mixtures and out it in the area.

I think he'd feel better if they were drained tbh. I mean, I know you know, but you may have to have a squeeze just to relieve some of the pressure. Must be sore to sleep on.

tocas · 09/12/2021 08:02

If you just squeeze them then they will refill probably.
Ask GP to refer you somewhere.

picklemewalnuts · 09/12/2021 08:04

Yes, I'd think he'll bruise easily. If they were smaller, and he was younger, I'd have a go! Maybe a very gentle squeeze to see if they are 'offering' to drain.

MrsMoastyToasty · 09/12/2021 08:06

Could you go to a walk in centre/minor injuries unit? Or even go private?

Original poster
SantaHat · 09/12/2021 08:09

I think he'd feel better if they were drained tbh. I mean, I know you know, but you may have to have a squeeze just to relieve some of the pressure. Must be sore to sleep on

This! He’s not sleeping well because of it which is really impacting him.
It’s super frustrating that the GP totally agrees they need to be removed asap, but can’t even give us a vague eta on when that will be and we’ve been waiting over 8 weeks already.

OP posts:
Original poster
SantaHat · 09/12/2021 08:11

Could you go to a walk in centre/minor injuries unit? Or even go private?
I checked with the two nearest minor injuries units and they said they can’t do anything and we can’t afford to go private - the quote I got was £300 PER cyst :(

OP posts:
KineticSand · 09/12/2021 08:32

My mum had similar but a lot smaller. After she'd had a hot shower I tried a squeeze and it was very keen to release! A black plug and then white pus. I think you should try that with the single headed blackhead one in the 2nd pic. You'll know straight away whether it's coming out or not.

Plenty of dettol etc.

dane8 · 09/12/2021 09:59

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Original poster
SantaHat · 09/12/2021 12:39

Have you really piled it on at the gp, as these days you get refused for most things!

Yes :( but they’re not budging from saying “he’s on the waiting list”. Which I get but not even a rough eta when we’ve already been waiting is hard.

I think it might come down to the fact that they actually don’t have any drs who can do it as the previous one left (saw dad on his last day!) and his replacement doesn’t seem to have started.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 09/12/2021 20:19

I sorted similar out for my sdad Who was in his late 70s
I thoroughly disinfected everything and squeezed gently but firmly. The smell was unbelievable
They did refill but it took a good 6-8 months.
I appreciate that not everyone feels they can or want to do it.

MerryMarigold · 09/12/2021 20:36

I would first suggest feeling how 'solid' they are? Are they squishy (ie. puss filled) or quite hard (more of a cyst). If it's a hard cyst it would need a decent sized incision to get contents out. I have one between my shoulders. When it got infected it was very red and sore so these don't look infected. It eventually developed a huge white head, burst and a lot of puss as well as cyst stuff came out (took about 3 weeks I think and after 2 courses of antibiotics). Unfortunately over 12 years it's come back even bigger and doc refuses to remove it on NHS so I'm saving up.

NoEffingWay · 10/12/2021 01:39

If it was me, I would get him to have a hot shower to soften the skin, wear gloves and make sure both I and the area were clean, then give a gentle squeeze.
I don't think, at this point, you could make it worse, and you might relieve the pressure by getting rid of some of the pus.
I would clean and dress the wound afterwards with some softpore and keep a close eye for signs of infection afterwards.

QuestionableMouse · 10/12/2021 01:50

Might be worth trying a minor injuries unit - they should have everything they need to deal with them. I wouldn't mess with them myself.

Luredbyapomegranate · 10/12/2021 01:52

I'd be quite reluctant to have a go at them, just because at your Dad's age an infection could do more damage. However, if they are stopping him sleep, that's not good either, so if he were up for it, and they are squishy, I'd - very gently - try.

But before you do that I'd try giving age concern a call, skin is much more delicate in older people and they just might be able to suggest away of pushing the queue. Also absolutely make a pain of yourself at the GP..

GlamGiraffe · 10/12/2021 02:23

Because of his age and the increased risk of cellulitis for him, do not stick in any needles you have sterilised. Its not woth the risk and could make him very ill.
Try hot compresses and liberal ammounts of nagnesium sulphate paste applued twice daily and covered with a plaster they may draw some of the fluid out but ultimately they heed removing. If i were you i would keep returning to the GP comolaining about the impact on his quality of life and pain.it may get you bumoed up tye list to a different location. In a patient that elderly do not play with them. id sugfest they need prophylactic antibiotics to keep them safe. Their immunity is not likely to be as good as ours

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