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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

Is this a boil?! Help!

114 replies

Reesewithafork · 25/07/2022 21:53

This appeared as a tiny spot after doing a quick shave. I suspect now the razor may have been blunt.
it just keeps getting bigger and more painful and now the area around it is swollen and red too.

I’ve tried magnesium sulphate paste today - is it supposed to make it bigger before it dries it out?

I’ve had little spots before but nothing like this. Is it a boil? Do I try to burst it? I think I might pass out with pain if I try. It looks worse than it is in the picture and I’m desperate to get rid!

HELP

OP posts:
WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor · 26/07/2022 22:45

I would have popped it straight away but I like doing it too much.

YellowMonday · 26/07/2022 22:47

Bloody hell. Have you been back to the doctor? They can resolve it in a sterile environment by cutting down to the core and draining. I've had this done - only part which is uncomfortable is the local anaesthetic injections as the skin is tender, but then the relief!

SausageMonkey2 · 26/07/2022 22:47

It will burst. A medihoney patch might help till then. It will hurt. I had ribbon once it had burst to draw the pus out. Don’t see a doctor. See a nurse for wound care. Doctor if it gets infected. Good luck.

Platax · 26/07/2022 22:55

Is that under your arm? When I had one like that, I stuck a sterilised needle in when one bit seemed to have developed into a small head. Initially it just produced a little rivulet of thin pus, and did the same virtually whenever I touched it over the next couple of days, which made it a bit less sore in itself. Then what came out started getting thicker, till I put a bit more pressure on it and had an incredibly satisfying two or three sessions with big thick lumps of pus flying out. I still treasure the memory.

wellhelloitsme · 26/07/2022 22:59

You poor, poor thing. I can't believe it's still getting bigger and is still so angry.

Did you see the GP in person? I would be going to a walk in tomorrow if there's one near you as I think that needs some eyes on it so they can let you know what to do next and how to dress it if it does burst.

Watapalava · 26/07/2022 23:01

I can’t believe people would waste a GPS time on this

heat a needle and pop it fgs! Then some sack on and it’ll be fine

done it loads if times

Watapalava · 26/07/2022 23:02

savlon

wellhelloitsme · 26/07/2022 23:05

Watapalava · 26/07/2022 23:01

I can’t believe people would waste a GPS time on this

heat a needle and pop it fgs! Then some sack on and it’ll be fine

done it loads if times

Yeah that's not a good idea at all. A really bad idea, in fact. It can spread the infection (especially in that area) and you can make the existing infection worse.

Medical advice:

Do not pick at, pop, or squeeze your boil. Among other negative results, popping your boil may cause the infection to spread. Also, squeezing the boil may allow additional bacteria to enter the lesion from your hands or fingers.
To help your boil heal:
• Use antibacterial soap to clean the area.
• Apply moist, warm compresses to the area several times a day.
• Do not attempt to pop the boil.

CornishTiger · 26/07/2022 23:05

Holy fuck that’s a painful one. I’d have needled it by now

Unforgettablefire · 26/07/2022 23:12

I'm sure I can see a little head on it to the right a bit. Is is starting to soften a bit? Keep those hot compresses on it it's ready to pop by the looks of it.
Hope it's not long, the relief is immense!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 26/07/2022 23:34

More paste and compresses, it's coming to a head. Really no need to go to the GP yet, it's just a nasty spot at the moment. Looks like it's coming to a head in the second photo. Won't be long.

Original poster
Reesewithafork · 26/07/2022 23:34

I sent pictures to the GP didn’t see in person.
she specifically said not to squeeze it or pop it because of it’s position around the lymph nodes and said it could cause complications apparently.
I was itching to but now I think I’d pass out from the pain as I can barely endure having a dressing on it or applying the paste!

i think I might be able to see a head on it too.
hopefully.

the doctor also said if there’s no improvement after 48 hours of antibiotics to go to A&E Which seems extreme but I guess I’ll follow her advice!

it started getting bigger and bigger with the mag sulph paste so I guess it was doing it’s job but then I googled and it said it can take two weeks to burst?! I bloody hope not, I’m in agony!

taken some ibuprofen to try to get some sleep and been doing all the hot compresses - will do a lot more tomorrow as well. I’ve got some numbing cream somewhere and I’m sorely tempted to slap that on but knowing my luck that will make it a hundred times worse!

OP posts:
Original poster
Reesewithafork · 26/07/2022 23:35

Oh and the reason I called the GP is because I had a bit of a fever and the area felt warm so just to be on the safe side, rather than for the actual boil/spot whatever the hell it is itself.

that’s calmed since I started taking the tablets today so now it’s just getting through the discomfort until it bursts. GP said I can call up the nurse and go in for a proper dressing when it bursts if I want to. I will see what level of carnage it creates

OP posts:
Original poster
Reesewithafork · 26/07/2022 23:38

When people say pop it do you mean squeeze? The very idea makes me want to pass out - how would you bear the pain?! Even just applying cream or paste is excruciating! You must be made of sterner stuff than I !

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 26/07/2022 23:54

Yeah, proper hard core 😉

Original poster
Reesewithafork · 27/07/2022 00:04

Good god, I have new respect and admiration.

genuinely cannot get my head around how anyone could squeeze it when it feels like this. A needle, I can see that more.

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/07/2022 00:10

I would probably lance it first then squeeze but believe me I live for things like this 😂

PeloAddict · 27/07/2022 00:14

Magnesium sulphate under a dressing
Numbing gel is fine (I have HS and get these a lot and use lidocaine)
A shower with hot water and direct it at the boil can help too or soaking it in a bath

Original poster
Reesewithafork · 27/07/2022 00:14

If it’s still growing at the end of the week I think I might be sorely (quite literally) tempted!

OP posts:
Original poster
Reesewithafork · 27/07/2022 00:16

I’ve put some antiseptic cream on overnight as the magnesium sulphate was making it so painful I’ll go back to it tomorrow during the day. I’ll try numbing cream too, so I can get through tomorrow with everything I need to do!

thanks for all the tips everyone.

did not realise they could be so monstrous in size or so painful!

OP posts:
PeloAddict · 27/07/2022 01:23

Oh yeah
Here was mine (it's a weird shape as it was originally an indented scar). The red bit heading towards my boob was all infection
They knocked me out to drain that one, I ended up having a skin flap by plastics to close it
It's a while ago now but it was burning hot agony

frenchfancy81 · 27/07/2022 02:25

I think this might need to be removed at the hospital? Cut and drained. Looks like an auxiliary abscess and it won't go on its own, I don't think. I had one and it was seen to at urgent care (local anaesthetic, cut, squeezed, cleaned) as it got unbearable and they didn't give me antibiotics...ended up with MRSA and sepsis to boot so it's best to get it checked out. Had a 12 day hospital stay and 6 hours a day IV antibiotics for those 12 days plus 3 hours a day for the week after I was allowed home. Never been so poorly! Not a scare story at all, just my experience as a result of one of these. Good luck and please leave it alone for now and get seen.

Original poster
Reesewithafork · 27/07/2022 07:32

Wow that sounds horrific @frenchfancy81 ive got antibiotics so I’ve been told if it doesn’t improve after 48 hours of being on them to go back to GP so they can refer me to A&E. I’m really hoping it improves before then!

@PeloAddict that looks sore! Mine is very painful but ibuprofen seems to be helping, I’m struggling to dress it with a covering without irritating the skin which is frustrating. It doesn’t seem to be getting any better yet but this morning it doesn’t seem any worse either so clinging onto that…

OP posts:
cherrypiepie · 27/07/2022 10:57

If go to a and e or call back to GP and say it has got much worse m. You must be in so much pain

Original poster
Reesewithafork · 27/07/2022 12:20

Fortunately ibuprofen is helping with the pain so it feels a bit more manageable today. If it’s not any better tomorrow I’ll call back

OP posts:
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