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Infected Abcess?

Posted , 4 users are following.

gtrnewt
gtrnewt

So this is a bit gross (pretty darn gross really.) For about 2 weeks I've had this abcess on my right butt cheek. It's been around longer than that as a cyst, since probably the beginning of the year; back then it was about the size of a pea and didn't bother me at all. Then one day it started to swell. I've have small abcesses on my butt before, usually after like 3 days they pop, heal up and go away. This one did not. It continued to grow, swell, and become very painful. Like an idiot (because I didn't know better yet) I tried to pop it. I felt something snap internally, I don't know for sure but I think it popped inside the skin and spread.

Anyway, I left it well alone after that. Still it swelled. It remained hard, not soft like it had fluid in it. After about a week of not being able to sit right I tried draining some of whatever was in it - all I managed to do was make it bleed. Which actually helped reduce swelling and it felt much better for a day, but then it just swelled up again. After that I left it alone again.

Finally I did some research, saw to apply warm compresses, and began doing so hoping it would draw the nasty stuff to the skin and help it pop on its own. So I've been doing that, keeping it clean, bandaging it to keep foreign objects from rubbing on it and irritating it more.

Which brings us to yesterday. I guess at some point it popped on its own (I accidentally pinched it 3 different times as I tried to sit, it hurt each time so I have no idea when it actually ruptured.) This morning I went to change the bandage and found it was leaking. Which is exactly what I've been waiting for, hoping it would rupture and leak on its own.

However, I'm pretty sure it's infected. By pretty sure, I mean I know it's infected but I'm no doctor. This whole time it's been red, but today when I saw it'd ruptured it has a blue color to it as well, along with purple. It's gross looking. Some of the skin is peeling too (I read today you shouldn't apply creams to abcesses? I'd been putting anti biotic cream on it, I thought it would help..) which may be due to the cream; when I didn't put the ointment on it there was no skin peeling but when I do put the ointment on it peels - I don't know maybe it's just because it's moist it's more noticeable than when it's dry.

So, I'm sitting here (uncomfortably) with a warm compress on it, and I don't know if I should go to the doctor? I mean I know I should, however I can't see my GP for another couple weeks (always booked.) A walk-in could take literally hours, and I'm having other unrelated issues that are preventing me from being able to sit in a waiting room for that long. I don't want to go to the emergency room, I don't want to waste their time and congest the ER for something that is obviously not threatening my life.

I know I should've gone somewhere before it got this far, but I'm one of those people who thinks "Ah, I don't need a doctor, it'll heal up on its own" until it's obvious it won't heal up on its own and by then it's much more serious. Also I just don't want anyone poking around my butt, just not something I'm fond of.

Should I go to the ER? Or maybe wait for my other issues to subside until I can afford to sit in a waiting room for hours? Or could I probably just stick it out for a couple weeks to see my GP?

Also, what can I do at home to help it drain? I've read warm compresses, warm baths with a bit of salt, and to let it air out and dry for about 30 minutes a couple times a day. Anything else?

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure gtrnewt

    Posted

    The whole capsule must be removed by a surgeon . A in and out office visit. Then it will never come back. See more info on google. 

    See your doc soon and just bite the bullet get it over with for once and for all.

  • will24
    will24 gtrnewt

    Posted

    GET TO THE DOCTOR... iam serious. I don't normally say that but i have known people who have died from that or gotten seriously ill. he had a pimple on his ass, it got infected and the infection  went into his blood stream and he died. 

    In the mean time use hot wet paper towels as the warm compress and sprinkle some epsom salts on it, apply 2-3 times daily for 15 minutes at a time. the epson salts will help to draw out the infection.

  • gtrnewt
    gtrnewt

    Posted

    So should I just go to the emergency room, or walk-in? Like I said, my GP is booked for a solid 2 weeks.
  • connie2cats
    connie2cats gtrnewt

    Posted

    Hi gtrnewt: I had one once on my butt years ago and I think I did see a doctor. He said use warm compresses,hot showers and a suana. Oh, and sit in a warm/hot tub. It did go away later. If you think it might be infected, use antibiotic cream. Hope this helps. If not, go see your doctor!
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