Problems with abscesses, freaked out!? (kinda gross)?!


Question: Problems with abscesses, freaked out!? (kinda gross)?
This is a tad long but I REALLY need some advice.
It all started Christmastime of 2009. I had a pretty big abscess on my left underarm. I let it go for a few days and eventually it was so painful I couldn't put my arm down. I went to the hospital and they drained it and gave me antibiotics.

I didn't have another one until the end of the summer that just passed. I started getting 2-3 at a time and they would eventually turn into one huge one. I let the first 2-3 outbreaks go and they burst on their own. The third time it was so bad I went to the hospital and got it drained. The ER doctor said he was pretty sure it was MRSA so he wasn't going to test the sample. He drained it, gave me Bactrim and sent me on my way. Since then it's happened another 2 times. I took care of them and waited to pop them.

Now I have another outbreak. I don't know what to do anymore. Why won't they go away? I've had outbreaks every 2-3 weeks for 6 months now.

Also the main concern here is about 2-3 months ago (maybe even longer) I developed what looked like a pimple on the side of my right breast. I waited a week and popped it, ever since then it will NOT go away. It's gotten bigger and I feel like the pus never stops building up in it. I either pop it or it drains itself almost every day. There so much scar tissue under it now. Now as of the last week or so, I notice that when stuff comes out of it it smells HORRIBLE and it lingers, its not just on the tissue I use to wipe it. I've also been kinda shakey and today I am SO dizzy. I'm terrified of getting a blood infection, an infection of one of my organs, or gangrene. I can't get a doctors appointment for another week and I don't know if I should go to the hospital.

Please guys, any advice you have will be greatly appreciated. I don't know what to do anymore and I'm really scared it's going to spread somewhere else.

Answers:

Sounds like you have reoccuring MRSA infections. I see alot of these in the lab since they are so common anymore. Also, my daughter dealt with MRSA abcesses for this last year and a half. I would for sure go to the doctor for the one on your breast. MRSA loves dense tissue, like buttocks and such, because they grow and grow and it's so hard to clean all of the bacteria out! Once MRSA is in your system, it is so hard to get rid of. For most people, it isn't a big deal because our normal flora (good bacteria on our skin) can overpower the bad and keep in under control. But for those with weaker immune systems or not enough normal flora, it's easier to get infections. I would recommend a stronger antibiotic (vancomycin) for the abcesses that aren't clearing up with bactrim. You can only get that at a hospital through an IV because it is so strong, which is why it's important to go to your doctor. He should swab it and do a culture and see which antibiotics work to kill it.

I don't want to scare you but it is so easy to get septic from MRSA infections. Septic is when the bacteria gets into your blood stream. I know this from experience...twice in the year and a half, my daughter was septic. I wouldn't wait.

As far as getting rid of it for good, I still don't know the answer. We tried taking a bath ince a week in hibiclens which rids bacteria from your skin. I would definetly switch to Dial antibacteria soap for bathing. Eating more yogurt, taking vitamins.

Hope this helps. I felt as helpless as you when she was sick. Good luck and hope you feel better!!

Medical Technologist..work in a hospital lab.



Hospital. ASAP!



i think u need to go to d hospital to get it drained.. if u have ben having it continuous, i think u should c a doctor that will set u up an appointment with a specialist, i am thinking a dermatologist. i think its better to know sooner than later, i think u will b ok. good luck!




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