abscesses*
abscesses*
Thanks for all the bits of advice.
I had it lanced and drained today. Doctor said he got out a lot of pus. Hurt like crazy to get it numb with the needle, but I am glad it is over with.
However, I am not sure I totally understand the point of packing the wound. I guess I just associate this with an open wound, and I've always associated open wounds with being bad.
Also, not crazy about the amount of medical tape they had to use to keep the dressing on. The stuff extends into the unpleasant area of my...ummm...butt crevice. Talk about not wanting to take a poop. Given that I am a pretty hairy dude, ripping the tape off tomorrow when they remove the packing should be rather enjoyable, and if im lucky, ill just get some more ingrown hairs from it that have to be lanced again. A nice little paranoid circle I have going on.
If you get it again - and you probably will - keep at the tea tree oil (multiple days) w/o popping it. The tt oil will dry it up. Has worked every time for me and SOOOOO much cheaper than a doc visit and procedure.
The packing is to try to get it to heal from the inside out. When wounds get sealed off from the outside they form a pocket that festers. Think of a simple zit as a smaller example.
I am having this same problem, and googling led me to this exchange among all of you - thanks - it's just what I needed to know.
Dr. Rosen Rosen - I started laughing so much ..... (showing my age)
Try AmLactin to help prevent as well as reduce the scarring
I went through a year long struggle with boils on my butt, and wrote a blog post (
) on what I tried, what finally worked, and the many things that didn't in the hope it'll save time for others.
I tried standing desks, chinese herbs, all manner of scrubs, lotions and potions...
Everyone is different but through trial and error i know now that amlactin is probably biggest factor in keeping my behind clean (for the first time in years)