Abscess around the belly button

[gracifer]

Just came back from my regular docs and he told me I had an abscess in/around my belly button. He said it was probably nothing to do with Crohns because of where it was situated and the fact that I had probably scratched my belly button and an infection had got in. It is hard, so apparently thats a good sign and they've caught it early!

However, I have a few questions:
1) How do I tell if it IS related to my crohns? which after numerous tests, and a colonscopy later, tell me its not in that direction (up the bum) and nothing test wise a few months ago showed I was getting an abscess. I do have it in my TI. Should it take longer to heal, as he gave me antibiotics as it was still in the hard phase! And is it more dangerous if it is related to my crohns?

2) I was told by Saturday it should be going soft again, and have no pain. However, I am now freaking out, as i forgot to ask this, can it suddenly go soft because it has come to a head, or, if I am now on a course of anti-biotics is this very unlikely?

3) I cannot go to my GI, as before all this I had a fistula that 'fixed itself' however I was booked into a London hospital for this, and they found out my fistula had fixed itself at my regular hospital. However, he won't see me until I have an MRI at this London hospital. So I'm between a rock and a hard place as I don't really know who I can see.

4) I HATE THIS SUCKY DISEASE!!!


So in the end I have rung my GI and the medical secretary said she hadn't heard of an abscess where I have one related to the crohns. But she did say he (my GI) would ring back if it was a big problem. He hasn't, so i'm figuring it probably isn't related to the crohns.
I also went back to the doctors again for a second opinion, as i believe it is getting bigger but then its only a day and a half on anti biotics. Its so painful.
My temp regular.
However I do think the hardness is spreading.
Its apparently a skin abscess, but for my age (22) is very unusual. Would this be because my immune system is basically buggered?
Does anyone know what I should look out for if in case the anti biotics are not working?
Sorry about this..

 

[smallfry]

Hi! How is your abscess doing? That's quite the spot eh!? Abscessing sucks so much!!!! Is your MRI soon? I've been waiting for one 3 months at a toronto hospital and I feel your pain. I get to go Aug 8th and am excited to see what's going on for me. It will be nice for you too see what the MRI says cause it really could be forming into a fistula since you do have crohns. Or not just a thought.
I always be sure to watch out for fevers. If you get one you really should go to the ER since you are already on antibiotics. Heat is supposed to help draw infection out, maybe a heating pad on low on your tummy would feel nice. My abscessing turned into fistulae in my perineum. Now I have a seton for one to help with drainage.
Is your abscess still soft? Soft is better I think, they won't really lance it until it is hard anyway. At least that's what they did to my brother, he had a skin abscess, went in to the ER for drainage and they sent him home on antibiotics and it actually cleared up on it's own. So maybe you will have that kind of luck! Hope so!
Take care!

 

[mac4943]

Hello. I have gotten skin abscesses before. One right under my belly button actually. It became the size of a golf ball and had to be drained and packed. Personally, I do not think it is from your Crohns because my doctor did not seem to think so either. However, in my personal opinion, I feel that people who are on immunosuppressant drugs are more susceptible to abscesses. Since an abscess is an infection, this makes sense. I also have constant sinus infections and the occasional skin infection (small white pimply looking things on my arms and legs).