Author Topic: Pus (Read 7928 times)

Valiant · « **on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:07:20 am »

So a while back I had what I assumed was an in growing hair just above my knee, it sort of built up into a small black solid spot, it was very itchy so one day while scratching it got taken off, with it was a tiny bit of blood.

Since then, the area around the spot (about £2 coin size) is blackkish and slightly raised/swollen and every time I push on it, quite a fair bit of pus comes out, so keep doing it until blood starts flowing (tis what me mum used to do when we were young-something about blood being clean). Trouble is within a day the pus has built upto impressive levels again. This has been going on for a couple of weeks.

Any ideas?

kyuss · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:16:17 am »

Aye. Get to a doctor. That doesn't sound like something that's going to clear up on its own.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:18:11 am »

Indeed, if 2 weeks already and no signs of improvement, doctor + possible antibiotics (depending on his diagnosis) would seem a reasonable next step.

Is it possible that any medications your are taking could be reducing your resistance to infection? If so, do the above, but faster.

The black area is probably bruising due to pressure applied by yourself. Either that or... oh.

PS: I am not a Spot Nurse.

Valiant · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:24:55 am »

I don't have much of an immune system at the moment, the only anti biotric I am on at the moment is primaxin

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:25:58 am »

In that case I am sure that your doctor will also see a visit (soon) as perfectly reasonable - even as a precaution.

Valiant · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:27:36 am »

Thanks S

I shall go tomorrow.

fred the great · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 January, 2009, 02:41:49 am »

Wakey, wakey

Off you go to the Docs today as promised

Valiant · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 January, 2009, 03:02:55 am »

Bit early I think, need to sleep, been 3 days without anything more than an hour.

Maffie · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 January, 2009, 07:34:56 am »

I had something like this after an injection that I had a reaction to. Ended up on antibiotics as my arm get busting open and pus running down it. Not very nice when you are based working in a hospital. Best to get it seen to.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 January, 2009, 07:38:35 am »

Sounds like an abcess - better get it looked at before you develop gangrene

fred the great · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 January, 2009, 10:06:58 am »

At this place we term it a wound dressing. It's murder trying to hold a cat when it's being done. We have temporarily lost a few in the back of the fridge and they are very hard to get out

A few days of cleaning (that stings like hell), dressings (sigh of relief) and antibiotics should be enough.

Of course you have now been to see the quack to ensure it's nothing more serious?

Eccentrica Gallumbits · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 January, 2009, 11:35:47 am »

Would anybody else like to squeeze it?

peliroja · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 January, 2009, 11:38:27 am »

I like all this assumption that it's possible to get to a Doctor whenever we like. I usually have to wait at least three days for an appointment at my local surgery. Is this normal in people's experience?

Hope it clears up, Sammy.

Hot Flatus · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 January, 2009, 11:47:48 am »

Hack your leg off with a rusty tenon saw. Douse the stump with petrol and set it alight.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 January, 2009, 11:50:23 am »

I usually get GP appointments from same day to 3 days ahead.

NHS walk-in places can be a good alternative at the weekends Sam.

http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/WalkInCentre.aspx?id=YDC39

fred the great · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 January, 2009, 12:02:55 pm »

What goes with this waiting a few days to see a Doctor??!!

That's ridiculous

Any day, 24 hours a day, I can visit any Hospital and get treatment.

slowfen · « **Reply #16 on:** 31 January, 2009, 12:26:01 pm »

With a crap immune system you need a DR, your gp's should have a link to on-call gps, if they are not helpful get along to your local A&E, it might be a long wait, but it is worth it, don't faff about jfdi!!

pcolbeck · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 January, 2009, 12:49:57 pm »

Yup, the late John Martyn had to have his leg amputated after an untreated cyst burst. Get thee to thee to a doctor ASAP.

Valiant · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:28:43 pm »

Got an appt at 3pm.

It used to talk me upto a week to see a doc, but since I got ill, I can walk in a be seen pretty much instantly at the GP or hospital.

Sergeant Pluck · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:29:43 pm »

Good man.

hellymedic · « **Reply #20 on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:37:52 pm »

Treating this kind of thing can be painful.
Often, a cavity needs to be opened out and cleaned out, then prevented from closing while pus is still forming so the cavity can be cleaned out again.

Hope you're better soon.

PS Antibiotics don't work well on pus.
Pus is a collection of dead white blood cells and bacteria and has no blood circulation. Antibiotics are carried in the blood and can only diffuse about a millimetre from where there is a blood circulation. Treatment of pus is therefore mostly mechanical.

Valiant · « **Reply #21 on:** 31 January, 2009, 01:45:14 pm »

At least I'll feel something different, better than feeling nowt but a constant pain days on end.

fred the great · « **Reply #22 on:** 31 January, 2009, 02:44:21 pm »

Yes the cleaning out is the painful bit so grit your teeth and it will soon get better

Valiant · « **Reply #23 on:** 31 January, 2009, 04:25:57 pm »

I am back, I got referred to the minor injuries make shift clinic bit, wound opened up and cleaned with sterile fluid, it stung a bit but at most was a bit uncomfortable rather then painful I'd say, even when they poked around with with a bud, they stuck a bit of anti septic cream and a plater on there and said to keep it clean and reapple cream and plaster after any wash or everyday.

fred the great · « **Reply #24 on:** 31 January, 2009, 05:32:48 pm »

Did they comment on what could have caused it?