Armpit cyst infected

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I had a small pea sized cyst in my armpit that suddenly jumped in size, turned red and sore. It’s now the size of a pound coin. I saw the Dr who said it’s infected and gave me antibiotics (flucloxacillin). He also said I needed to see the minor op Dr in the surgery to judge if it can be dealt with in the surgery or if I need to be referred. I’m assuming they’re going to drain or cut it out?

I’m wearing baggy tops, no bra etc as anything rubbing near it is so painful. I’ve been putting warm, wet compresses on it when possible. Is there anything I should be doing while waiting to see the Dr?

I’m feeling miserable. To add to my discomfort I have a shoulder injury in the same arm so holding my arm at angles to keep from pressing on the cyst is hurting my shoulder!

On the plus side the antibiotics are the ones where you have to take them an hour before/2 hours after food so I might lose some weight from lack of snacking! 😂

Is there anything you should be doing? Yea, you should be posting pictures! That’s the rule.

@LegoTherapy apologies it's my first visit to the corner! 😂 Photo as requested

I had one of those! I was on flucloxacollin for a few days and then there was a tiny head and I had a little squeeze and it pretty much turned into the best day of my life. So much gunk came out.

😜

That looks sore, but I bet it's ten times more sore than it looks... bless you, hope it resolves soon!

Yes it's very sore! Thank you.

I'm getting random stabbing pains in it today. It's probably a bit early to tell but I'm not convinced the antibiotics are doing anything.

Am I the only one who wants to take a scalpel to that? (Sterilised - I’m not a complete animal)

How long have you been on the antibiotics? They will take at least a couple of days, if not more, before they start having any effect.

@tinylegoscars I'm drinking more than I ever have in my life 😂. Had a shower and done the warm compress again. I really hope the stabbing is a healing stab.

@spicetails I normally have a pretty high pain threshold but DH tried to hug me and I almost turned him to stone with my glare. I can't think about a scalpel near it.

@EBearhug I was given 5 days worth and had done 2 days. I am being impatient, I know.

Oooh I had one of those and posted about it here!

It was very painful, after a few days there was a tiny head on it so on the advice of the wise sporners here, applied a warm compress and instead of squeezing, placed my (clean!) fingers near the head and gently pulled apart. The relief, and the stuff that came out, was glorious.

@tinylegoscars I've been checking my temperature as it was feeling a bit hot earlier.

The antibiotics make me feel awful but not long left on them.

Going to call Drs tomorrow and try to get an earlier appointment with the Dr I need to see. He's only in one day at the end of the week so don't want to miss him.

That’s completely understandable - sorry if my sporner comment minimised that.

Hope you get it resolved soon

I had an infected cyst recently… after a couple of days on antibiotics it started to form a yellow heads (there were multiple, it was truly gross). My doctor friend advised do NOT squeeze as that can push the infection deeper. Instead gently pull the skin either side and see if it will discharge.

It was so incredibly painful before it popped though, it’s the skin being stretched where all the nerves are.

In the meantime, try a warm compress and maybe check in with the GP and see if they can give you a cream or ointment as well (I had Bactroban to apply twice a day).

As per PP, if you start to feel unwell, I would seek medical help asap as sepsis can develop.

Hoping it gets better soon.

I know its awful, df once had one, he was in agony till it mysteriously popped in the shower. To help with pain could a big wodge of cotton wool cushion it?

Little update, I had cold chills through the night (no high temp) so called 111 first thing this morning. They told me to see the GP today and get it checked.

He had a good look, press and took my temperature and pulse ox etc. He said the infection hasn’t spread, it doesn’t feel hard and the redness hasn’t spread so he’s happy it’s not sepsis or anything. He said to go back tomorrow if it gets worse or on Wednesday if it’s not improved.

It was cold last night - I needed an extra layer, and the car said it was only 6.5°C when I went to work. Glad you've been checked, though, and they're happy for you to go back if needed.

Yes I think that’s what it was. Our room was cold when we went to bed and I had a loose T-shirt on rather than the long sleeve PJs I normally wear.

Stress and worry also added to it and my period started today just to add a bit more discomfort 🙄

He said to leave it be but I can do the warm compress on it.

I keep feeling phantom wetness on my arm but I imagine I’ll smell it before I see it 🤢😂.

The Dr did say he had one burst on him and he had to throw that shirt away as it never recovered 🤣

I had one similar and it absolutely stunk when it went
mine was huge and I ended up having surgery to drain it as it wasn’t for bursting properly the second time

I’m getting so paranoid that this thing is going to erupt somewhere public and set off a huge stink explosion. I’ll never be able to show my face in Tesco again 🤣