Thought it was a skin tag could it have been an abscess/cyst?

[KayleighMeek]

Warnings in advance but this isn't the nicest thing but I guess a lot of you have been through something similar.

I have had to wear a pad for some time now as I have had slight leaking most of the time and more so after BM's. I have fissures and a lot of very large skin tags which makes it hard to see what is going on down there. Well this evening I tried to have a look and touch what I though was a skin tag and pressed it slightly and fluid started to come out of it somewhere and it has reduced in size a fair amount. Could it be an abscess or cyst? I have not had one before so I am really not sure what is going on I am going to check again in the morning because this is weird.
I am planning on leaving a message for my GI in the morning to see what they say but I would be greatful for any insight from anyone who has experienced something like this. Thank you

 

[DJW]

Hi. I've delt with many of those issues over the years. Was it painful? abscesses are painful and the pain goes as soon as it's drained. What colour was the fluid?

 

[KayleighMeek]

It didn't have much colour to it a tiny but orange/yellow but only very slight. I have been having pain on and off for a long time but I hadn't noticed that it has got any worse.

 

[DJW]

Hummm. I would have guessed abscess. Not totally sure. Keep us posted.
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

 

[Ams-Qld]

Hi! Sorry you are in this position, we know exactly how difficult it is! My son (13) had a perianal abscess develop over 12 months ago (it was drained by an unsuspecting GP in his office without pain relief - don't ask!). Generally an abscess will come with extreme pain (especially when walking etc) and can also have associated fever and grow in size. Sometimes they burst on their own (especially when they get large or you sit in a very warm sitz bath), but generally they require drainage by a colorectal surgeon in a hospital setting. My son's abscess proceeded to drain for months until we confirmed by an MRI that a fistula had formed, apparently this happens in around 50% of cases.
After my son's abscesses were drained though he grew several large skin tags, in effect they 'cover' the opening of the fistula (apparently this is relatively common) and since his one fistula opens up to four sinus tracts he has four large skin tags. After 10 months of flagyl (to make sure any infection was gone and another abscess would not form) his skin tags stopped draining pus and changed to faecal matter, fun huh! He is due for a colonoscopy and examination under anaesthetic this Friday to see what we can do to close the fistula surgically and remove the skin tags as they are so painful, especially while going to the toilet and for several hours afterwards.
So (sorry about the long reply but I thought some background might help!) it sounds like a possible fistula or a possible abscess forming that is attached to the skin tag. My son also has so much going on that it is impossible to determine what is leaking what from where (!) and so hopefully you can get some answers from your GI, let us know how you get on. Hugs, Ams

 

[KayleighMeek]

Thank you for the replies.

Ams so sorry that your son has gone through so much at such a young age I hope you get the answers needed to make this better for him.
I really have no idea what is going on at the moment but waiting to hear back from the GI and see if they have any ideas. It sounds in some ways like an abscess it has been painful but not as bad as other pain I have had before, the worst pain I have had with it is before and during a BM it feels like someone is shoving a hot poker up there (tmi) but the best way I can describe it. I have been struggling with a fever for around 3 weeks now I thought I was just getting over one of the many bugs that are going round it comes and goes but my other half said I was boiling hot all last night and struggled but I don't really remember it.

 

[Essieluv]

That does sound like an abscess or fistula, sorry hun. The best thing to do is get a sitz bath, which you can usually find at pharmacies, and soak in warm water until you hear from the GI. Many times abscesses can be treated without surgery or draining. If you do end up needing to have any procedures done, it is best to have a colorectal surgeon do it rather than a GI. Colorectals specialize in, well, butts. GIs just don't know as much about bums as colorectals do. I really hope you get this fixed easily and quickly. Sending you hugs and prayers!

 

[KayleighMeek]

Thanks I'm hoping its an easy fix. Been feeling awful ever since all my joints have flared again and my knees are huge and I feel hot and generally not very well most of the time. I don't know if I'm just catching every bug around or if its a weird flare.
I am still waiting to have a call back from GI but I left it on the non emergency line so it can take a few days, if I don't hear anything today I am going to leave them another message. Think I might get some bloods done today aswell just to see what is going on if anything.

 

[KayleighMeek]

A quick update I finally heard back from the Ibd nurse today and they have given me an urgent appointment next Tuesday to get it looked at and they said they will probably need to book me in for a scan.
Another thing they said was I a vitamin b12 deficient at the moment so will likely need to start having injections soon.
I don't think it's sinking in yet I don't feel as bad as I have in the past but I really think something is going on but I felt pretty bad this week.
Hope you are all doing ok and I will probably post again when I know more.