DS 16 months has an infected cyst - what else can I do? (Picture attached)

[miniworry]

My DS is 16 months and has a dermoid/epidermoid cyst on his chest. He's had an ultrasound and seen the paeds surgeon who wants to take it out at the end of the year when he's closer to two as it'll invoke a general anaesthetic.

He's had chicken pox last week but this week the cyst that was once just a pea under the skin with a small whitehead has got 3x the size and is bright red!

Took him to the gp Tuesday who fobbed us off and said it was fine and no infection as no temperature- it got bigger by yesterday so took him in to see a different gp who sent us up to A&E. He's been prescribed some antibiotics and doctors have said if this doesn't help improve it then he will need the surgery now. 24 hours in on the abx and I think it looks slightly worse. I drew around it yesterday and it's not gotten any bigger it just looks more angry!

We are meant to be going on holiday to Spain as a family on Tuesday and I'm worried that this might not resolve itself- are there any home remedies that I could use to help it along? I really don't want them to need to operate 😢

Put the holiday out of your mind. Don't mess around with "home remedies" - if it's still getting worse even on the antibiotics, he needs seeing by a Dr again (GP, out of hours, a&e - whatever's appropriate at that time where you are)

Agree with this. As frustrating as it must be, I’d leave well alone.

I had an infected cyst. 2 sets of antibiotics and a severe case of thrush later, it finally burst on its own. It was very messy and needed to be dressed by a nurse every other day. You don't really want that on holiday.

A hot press may help but due to his age I'm not sure if he'd find it uncomfortable. I normally let boiling water cool a bit, then use cotton wool pads (squeeze out excess water) and then press it on the cyst. It helps draw out the pus. I had one on the top of my leg and it was painful when pus filled. I hope it doesn't spoil your holiday

Sorry but that cyst is clearly infected . Either the antibiotics will work or they won’t. There is around 50% chance it will need surgery for incision and drainage under general anaesthetic .

I'd put this on it. My DcC Had a terrible cyst under the skin. It was very angry. I put this thick with a dressing on the top. 24 hours later it had drawn all the puss to the top. After 48 hours it had drained itself. Although it needed regular cleaning and dressing once it was open.

https://www.boots.com/boots-pharmaceuticals-magnesium-sulfate-paste-bp-10083701

Do they have to pop then for them to get better? I didn't realise this was the case - he wouldn't be able to go in the pool on holiday then either would he? I'll give it another day today on the antibiotics and then if no better I'll take him back xx

You need to buy these just in case. You can swim with them. Although I'd get a few packs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elastoplast-Waterproof-Dressings-Plasters-Post-Operative/dp/B09Q8MNDV2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=55671629720&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9baspwafAnCVhlmZ-i_Niu8zWWdTsGN6V-CSmOimp89yMRzh_d3_C5_XFl50Jq19jXKNGS1ED906wJ-MUNhAdrogpLen4aXaA5Gzovdhco64-wfKVeiU8IvdX_JegPQ9_2sCK6vDJy5bh9HifMP7sn1gsUwn13bgRNeZZ8LBMsE2SM2Xm7MKcvCDV24dc2osaPfmZCpC4BODwaZsgcAWZw.UsWS8b92VOR_yHJaoXe8ZB00mmZQCqWAlxqYwA-pQ4A&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=259099297833&hvdev=m&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9046010&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=9366728577568021570--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9366728577568021570&hvtargid=kwd-317910087838&hydadcr=14015_1827955&keywords=waterproof+dressing+for+swimming&mcid=6d0fabf504c93cd9a9c549fa88fb6dc0&qid=1751703232&rdc=1&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

I'd be very reluctant to go on holiday with an active infection. Have you got good insurance and European medical card? It might be worth going back to the GP and asking for something just in case because you will be abroad.

Are they certain this is not a thyroglossal duct cyst? Dermoid cysts are more common but it is midline in the neck. Hopefully the ultrasound was done by a radiologist with a special interest in necks. For now let the antibiotics do their thing. If it is not improving after 48hours then seek another opinion as the antibiotics may need to be changed. Good luck and have a great holiday if all is well. Make sure you have a EHIC card to get free treatment in Spain and if you do need to seek a hospital make sure it is a public hospital and not a private one where you would have to pay.

@BlueRin5eBrigade the thing is they're saying that they are unsure it's infected or just inflamed as he has no temp. We've got these antibiotics for 7 days so will be taking them with us if we go. I asked in A&E we were ok to fly and his response was 'yes as long as it doesn't get worse' which means I can't cancel on the insurance either because we haven't been advised not to travel.

His epidermoid cyst is covered on the travel insurance as I mentioned it at the time of booking.

So torn on what to do!!

@Difficultwill it's definitely a dermoid cyst- he's had two ultrasounds; one private and one on the nhs and both said the same thing. It's hard to see on the picture as I think it makes it look higher but it's actually almost on the collar bone and my understanding is a thyroglossal is between the chin and Adam's apple?

I’d still update your travel insurance @miniworry

I had one of the side of my neck. It would periodically swell and shrink back. When it swelled it sometimes popped, but it wasn't like a messy pop explosion, it was more like a tiny hole that the inside gradually leaked out of, if that made sense. It got infected once and I had anti-biotics to clear up the infection. The doctor said then that they couldn't remove if while infected, but they would once the infection had cleared. In fact it shrank back so small once the infection had cleared that they said it was too small to operate on! It's just shrunk away now. I wouldn't go on holiday if there is active infection that is not responding to anti-biotics, but if the infection seems to be controlled you should be fine.

Oooof. Thay does look angry. Have you given him any ibuprofen? I would.

Is it bothering him?

I think I'd want that seen again to be honest.

This is how it looks today- excuse the fact I stupidly used a thick black felt tip to draw around it 🤣🤦‍♀️

This is just now out of the bath with the pen mark removed. The black head used to be white but has turned this colour today. It really doesn't look like it's getting any better does it? Still fine in himself, no temperature, not itching and eating and drinking fine.

How are things now?

I’d be concerned that the white ‘head’ of the spot is now black, that there is some blood inside the cyst (not unusual when it gets infected). And also that it is more likely to burst/break down

@LovedFedAndNoonesDead thanks for checking in- we ended up with 2 A&E trips in the end, but the antibiotics have finally started kicking in now and it's shrank to around half the size it was. I'm so surprised it hasn't popped as it looked so bulging!

hot flannels worked in mine, it was on the crease under my boob, the hot flannel soothed it but also brought out the gunk inside - day 3/4 it burst and emptied - at that point I git doctors appointment and got antibiotics.

Glad to hear the meds seem to be working; I hope the Drs get him a date for surgery sooner rather than later as, in my experience, once one of these cysts has become so badly infected, it’s prone to happening again and again.

I hope you’re able to enjoy the summer holidays without any further issues xx