Help please - is it another abscess or ingrowing hair?

[Brizzle]

Good morning all,

Just after a bit of advice please if possible as I can't get an appointment with my GP until Friday!!

I have symptoms of Crohn's but as yet un-diagnosed. My colonoscopy showed as normal and I am awaiting results of biopsy. Recent blood test showed a high level of white blood cells but GP wants another full test done next week and will hopefully have biopsy results back so will know more.

In November last year I needed to have a Perianal abscess drained. On Monday I recognised the same pain I felt with the abscess only this time its at the front. I can barely walk and sleeping is a nightmare because each time I move it's very painful. I've covered it up to avoid friction of clothes but last night I started getting very sharp pains in the lower left side of my tummy (almost in my groin area) and I'm not sure what this is. It is not a constant pain or even happening regularly but when it does happens it stops me in my tracks.

I am assuming the mound that has appeared is an ingrowing hair, it feels like a blister. It is smooth and hot to the touch, but it doesn't look like a blister. I have tried sitting in a hot bath and hot compress :ywow: but it's just getting worse.

Has anybody experienced anything similar? Any advice on how to deal with it? I really dread the thought of having to have another drainage.

Many thanks
Brizzle

 

[LisaL]

HI Brizzle! What you are describing sounds very painful. I wish I could be of help, but I am afraid I can't. I have had one episode of peri-anal abscess, infected anal skin tag, and boy was it terrible. I had to have an exam under anesthesia and the abscess drained. It was bad. What you are describing does sound more like some sort of abscess, rather than an ingrown hair. You are right to get to your doctor, and right, I think, to try the b,th. Have you tried adding Epsom salts to your bath. That can really help ease the pain from swelling and help any infection come to the surface. Epsom salts helped me tremendously during the time I had my abscess.

Let us know what the doctor says.
-Lisa

 

[Brizzle]

:bigwave: Hi Lisa,

Thanks for looking in.

Panic over it was a hair follicle. I couldn't stand the pain anymore and luckily got in to see my GP this morning. She managed to lance it which relieved the pain immediately. She said it was a bit infected which is why it was so large but has given me a course of antibiotics so should okay in a couple of days.

I'm just so relieved it wasn't another abscess.

Funny you mentioned Epsom salts, I just bought some, (haven't bought any for years.)

Thanks again
Brizz

 

[LisaL]

Well, I am so glad that I was wrong!! Just goes to show you that medicine, practiced via the email messages, with no actual medical training is not such a good idea (wink ;-))

Epsom salts are great for sore, achy muscles as well as abscesses. I use them when I am very sore after a series of hard workouts, and, of course, several times a day when I had my peri-anal abscess.

Here's hoping you never have another abscess!!
-Lisa

 

[Brizzle]

Here's hoping you never have another abscess!!
-Lisa

Thanks Lisa, :thumleft: Right back at ya!

Brizz