Long term Abscess

[Spudarthur]

Hi Everyone, I have an abscess on the left cheek of my posterior (bottom), close to the middle and just above the bottom on my spine. it has been quite large and sore, measuring 5cm x 1cm. It is hard, deep and red but without an external point. By using magnesium sulphate I have managed to "rupture" the skin and get seepage from (a multitude of "pin holes," according to my lovely wife). I had a similar, if not the same, abscess possibly 25 years ago in the same place. It was lanced by my late doctor and was probably given antibiotics but I can't remember. The wound "healed" but the area of the incision has also remained tender ever since rather than sore, sometimes promising to become active again. I am not an alarmist but would like to hear from anyone who has had a similar problem. PS For information, I have never suffered from the more common round=type"boils" on any part of my body. Thanks, Spud

[lovesradio]

You don't say if you have been to a new GP about this? Might be your first port of call?

[Spudarthur in reply to lovesradio]

Thanks.

[Twokittens]

Hello, have you checked out a pilonidal abscess? I had one a few years ago, it sounds similar. If caught early enough (before there's pus) it can be treated with antibiotics. I had to have surgery but was out in a day. Best of luck, feel free to ask any Qs.

[Spudarthur]

Thanks two kittens. I remember seeing pilonidal abscess so i'll look it up again. The latest is that the doctor referred me to a surgeon who was a bit cross that I hadn't sought help earlier (pus was already emerging). He has opened up the abscess under local anaesthetic but I need general anaesthesia to remove a fistula that has gone deep and is near my colon. That's probably too much detail but thanks for your response and good wishes.PS He is operating on Tuesday.

[Gailsweetcheeks]

Hi, I suffer from the same condition, have you heard of HIDRADENITIS SUUPPURATIVA, ITS A VERY PAINFUL SKIN CONDITION, MAYBE ASK YOUR DOC TO SWAB AND CHECK FOR THIS, HOPE THIS HELPS, GAIL

[Cb1963 in reply to Gailsweetcheeks]

Yep no only is it painful it's embarrassing, I have lost count how many eruptions I've had, mine are mainly down in my private parts, or the surrounding areas if you get my drift, also underneath my armpits and occasionally at the back of my ears, I'm constantly checking myself for lumps and bumps on a daily basis, and knowing when there's a bad un on the way, time to hibernate, I've had quite a few general anaesthetics for removing the stubborn ones, but my GP has said constant surgery does not mean that that's the end of the problem, yep how right he was, so had one that keeps coming back and more or less said we're not going down the surgical line, hmm, more antibiotics eh, so never seem to be abcess free, a right pain in the rear, and I'm a male in my mid fifties and suffering with acne thrown in for good measure, and I'm depressed with it, so all in all the condition HS, is not nice and makes me feel miserable, man how sad a man of my age discussing a skin complete with a "stranger" but you know how it is, and I don't think my GP understands how fed up I'm with going down to see him about this condition, shame that it's all well and good trying to cure this problem but really perhaps maybe looking deep inside a person and ask how do you "feel"? Well how long have I got would seem the answer, so it's not just normal acne it's a recognised health condition and not easy to cure, as you are probably aware, people don't understand if your skin is not looking good you don't feel good and there's my moan over with, thanks for your post, ttfn

[Spudarthur]

Hi Gail,

Thanks. I am on the mend. Without getting into the gory details, a fistula below the abscess had grown large and deep and was removed under a general anaesthetic operation within two days of my being seen. Good luck with your condition.

[Cb1963 in reply to Spudarthur]

Yep I know what you mean spud, glad you had a successful surgery, and boy is all of it a painful procedure, these abcesses are a bit like a weed, you can cut the head off, but underneath there's a root that's left behind, and as your aware it's never easy for the healing treatment to be a success, and all being well you'll have a good outcome,and stay abcess free,I've been on thus forum a few times regarding my skin, and it's not got the biggest following but it's a great help to me when I have a flare up and occasionally you get a good honest reply, so look after yourself, and stay lump free hopefully, cheers

[Spudarthur in reply to Cb1963]

Thanks Cb. I didn't feel embarrassed and neither should you. It wasn't a matter of a poor diet, lack of hygiene or exercise or anything like that. I'm no expert, as you can tell, but maybe trying different bio body wash liquids might help, if you haven't already. According to my surgeon, the origin of my fistula probably resulted from the flesh being irritated by my colon but in many cases it is from an in-growing hair. I'm glad it seems behind me so good luck with your situation.

[Cb1963 in reply to Spudarthur]

Yep I use hippe scrub, but when the flare ups occur they're just going to rupture anyway and as your well aware these things leave a hole, and yep hair foliculs tend to be the main reason, or sometimes they can be due to crone's disease or ulcerative colitis which can be a known factor, thanks for your input and good luck with your recovery, cheers