topic Re: Boil in Wellness

Boil

Shiloh09 — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 22:22:05 GMT

Who has had one and how was the course of treatment? I am currently on an additional antibiotic (today). My two knee replacements did not compare to ickiness of this thing!

Re: Boil

maestra — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 22:57:13 GMT

Keep the area clean, warm moist compresses help, but follow MD instructions, esp. w/antibiotics-finish everything.Change bed linens such as pillow cases and towels daily.

I've had a staph infection from staying at someones home that wasnt clean. I'm a fascist about clean linens, bathrooms, and kitchens.

Re: Boil

SilleeMee — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 00:48:25 GMT

My husband had an ingrown hair on his behind that turned into a boil. I didn't know he had it until he developed flu-like symptoms. He then complained about feeling achy all over and that he had a pain on his cheek...not in those words, and I saw what he was talking about and told him to get into the tub with hot water to soak. I called the emergency room and asked if I should bring him in for the flu-like symptoms and that I thought the boil might have something to do with that. They said bring him in immediately and when I got there I told the doc that he was soaking in tub full of hot water just before we got there. Doc said that was the best thing to do to draw out the infection from the boil. My husband came very close to toxic shock that night and I am grateful to the ER who saved his life.

Soaking a boil in hot water is what I would do along with the antibiotics.

ETA: Bentonite clay pack - you may want to read about this also.

Re: Boil

geegerbee — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 00:32:22 GMT

I would also recommend buying a tube of drawing salve--a black gooey tar-based lintment that draws out the infection.

Re: Boil

Nightowlz — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 01:30:12 GMT

I had one on the outside of my left knee when I was 12. Don't know how it happened. Since I did not & still don't like doctors I never said anything about it to my parents. They found out when I started limping when it starting hurting more. My mom took me to the dispensary & they sprayed my knee with some freezing stuff, lanced it, stuffed it with gauze, wrapped up my knee & gave me crutches. I had to go back & have the gauze removed & repacked. I don't remember how often I had to do that.

Re: Boil

Scooby Doo — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 01:34:52 GMT

Is it a boil or a cyst? A cyst needs to be removed by your doctor. A boil larger than a pea size should also be lanced by your doctor. Otherwise, soak in warm water to draw it to a head and let it break itself. Do not stick it with a pin. You can also hold a warm compress on it to help bring it to a head. That should happen within 7 to 10 days.

Re: Boil

sidsmom — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 01:42:19 GMT

This sounds like a job for Dr. Pimple Popper.

Re: Boil

Shiloh09 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 02:15:10 GMT

Sid's mom.....all I can say is eeeewwwwwwww!!!!

Well I actually had it lanced and packed in ER on Monday after days of warm compresses. Followed up with own doctor today who was slightly concerned with redness around the wound. He adjusted the first antibiotic and added another. If this thing doesn't respond to this treatment I may need to talk to surgeon to have a larger area and remove any bacteria remaining. I am really stressed out about this! I would say worried...Not mention the amount of antibiotics I am taking...I have always been pretty vigilant about germs and cleanliness. I think I have taken it to a whole new level. Thanks for letting me vent...

Re: Boil

sidsmom — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 02:40:30 GMT

@Shiloh09

Keep us posted....and thanks for sharing.

I think it’s a topic more common than not...and your experiences

might help someone in the future. Don’t stress! 💚🌼💛

Re: Boil

jewel3 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 03:51:49 GMT

A “boil” is a staph infection of the skin. This is nothing to fool around with as the infection can spread. Antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics are usually called for. The old fashioned remedies may work and that is all well, fine and good unless the infection spreads to your bones, muscles or bloodstream or a more dangerous bacteria invades. Get advice from your doctor.

Re: Boil

Nightowlz — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 16:24:36 GMT

@Shiloh09 wrote:
Sid's mom.....all I can say is eeeewwwwwwww!!!!

Well I actually had it lanced and packed in ER on Monday after days of warm compresses. Followed up with own doctor today who was slightly concerned with redness around the wound. He adjusted the first antibiotic and added another. If this thing doesn't respond to this treatment I may need to talk to surgeon to have a larger area and remove any bacteria remaining. I am really stressed out about this! I would say worried...Not mention the amount of antibiotics I am taking...I have always been pretty vigilant about germs and cleanliness. I think I have taken it to a whole new level. Thanks for letting me vent...

@Shiloh09

Since its a Staph infection I looked up MRSA & it says this from the Mayo Clinic.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a type ofstaph bacteria that's become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections. ... This form, community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA), often begins as a painful skin boil. It's spread by skin-to-skin contact.

I would try some tea tree oil around it since it's suppose to be effective against MRSA. There is some info on Pub Med.

If it's MRSA I thought you had to take 2 different antibiotics to get rid of it not sure.

As I posted above I had one on my knee when I was 12. I have no idea how I got it. Cleanliness has nothing to do with it. I shower every day & consider myself very clean. I'm also a clean freak so my house is also very clean. LOL!!! My mom kept a clean house. I did not get this from living in a dirty house that's for sure.

Re: Boil

lulu2 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:14:08 GMT

@geegerbee wrote:
I would also recommend buying a tube of drawing salve--a black gooey tar-based lintment that draws out the infection.

@geegerbee

As children my sister and I had (at the same time) numerous boils on our right leg. It was 1955 and we used an awful smelling, black tar salve. It did work; as I recall it was used to draw out the white center/head of the boil.

Re: Boil

RedTop — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:17:16 GMT

@Shiloh09,

Please continue to follow your doctors advice with the treatment of this boil, and don't do anything that compromises your knee replacements.

Two years ago a friend of mine developed a painful boil in a private place and mistakenly decided to open and drain it. She nearly died, because of an infection that went septic. When she realized she had an infection, she went to the ER, and was admitted. She had 8 surgeries total due to the massive infection, spent 2 months sedated and totally out of it, and spent 5 months in 3 different hospitals. She developed MRSA and C-diff, came home in a wheelchair, needing PT to learn to walk again.

My friend is not in good shape; she has issues with her memory, pain from scar tissue, has developed COPD, CHF, and uses a scooter chair to get around. She is pitiful and her husband is her caregiver.

Re: Boil

software — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 19:08:57 GMT

Everyone has staph on their skin.

All the time, day & night. No matter how clean you are.

It's usually spread by skin to skin contact.

Some skin is more susceptible than others.

Cellulitis is also a skin infection that should be treated immediately.

This reminds me of a Facebook post a while back. One of the local weather guys took a picture of a rash on his leg and wanted people to comment on what it was and how to treat it. A good number of the people recognized it as cellullitis and told him to go right to the ER. He didn't but when he did he was very sick for weeks.

There are different types of staph, you need to have it cultured to see which one you have and treat it properly, not hit or miss.

It's not like having a blackhead. It really needs aggressive medical treatment.

Best of luck for a very speedy recovery

@Shiloh09

Re: Boil

Hope2017 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 21:28:47 GMT

@RedTop wrote:
@Shiloh09,
Please continue to follow your doctors advice with the treatment of this boil, and don't do anything that compromises your knee replacements.

Two years ago a friend of mine developed a painful boil in a private place and mistakenly decided to open and drain it. She nearly died, because of an infection that went septic. When she realized she had an infection, she went to the ER, and was admitted. She had 8 surgeries total due to the massive infection, spent 2 months sedated and totally out of it, and spent 5 months in 3 different hospitals. She developed MRSA and C-diff, came home in a wheelchair, needing PT to learn to walk again.

My friend is not in good shape; she has issues with her memory, pain from scar tissue, has developed COPD, CHF, and uses a scooter chair to get around. She is pitiful and her husband is her caregiver.

@RedTop...
Yes, I agree with your view on seeking medical attention immediately in these cases.

What you said in the later part of your post regarding your "friend" being "pitiful" was terribly mean and shocking to me. If she knew that you referred to her as "pitiful" she would be deeply hurt. You should be ashamed of yourself for even thinking such a thing. Where is your compassion?

Life is very "unpredictable". In a split second, circumstances can change. Anyone can go from being completely healthy to being totally dependent on others. I've seen it happen in my family and to a dear friend who is only 56. Her husband is now her caregiver. I would NEVER refer to her has "pitiful". She is a "courageous and spirited woman" who is struggling to recover. Her husband is a "gracious and loving man" who is supporting his wife of 35 years to the best of his ability. It is very hard for both of them. But, no doubt, if the tables were turned she would be doing the same for him. That's what LOVE IS.... "FOR BETTER OR WORSE".....

Re: Boil

loveschocolate — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 21:27:44 GMT

@software, best advice on this thread. Everybody has staph on their skin. MRSA is a totally different infection.

@Shiloh09, glad you went to the ER and your physician. Try not to stress out about it. Sounds like you are in good hands!

Re: Boil

RedTop — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 23:54:07 GMT

@Hope2017,

I fully understand your comments from the words written in my post. Your assumption of my "judgment" of my friend or her husband, is incorrect.

During the conversation I had with my friend 4 days ago, she referred to herself as pitiful and pathetic; her sisters also refer to her as pitiful in her presence, and she fully understands why they use that word. My friend has deteriorated drastically, mentally and physically, from this health issue, and is nearly bald. Honestly, if I had met her in a store or restaurant, I seriously might not have recognized her at all. There is truly a shock and awe in her appearance; I am very concerned about her ability to survive this health issue. She and her husband are struggling with her issues.

FYI since you are new and do not know my history, I gave up my job and took early retirement to be a caregiver for my husband of 43 years, as well as for my mother.

Re: Boil

Hope2017 — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 05:06:54 GMT

@RedTop wrote:
@Hope2017,
I fully understand your comments from the words written in my post. Your assumption of my "judgment" of my friend or her husband, is incorrect.

During the conversation I had with my friend 4 days ago, she referred to herself as pitiful and pathetic; her sisters also refer to her as pitiful in her presence, and she fully understands why they use that word. My friend has deteriorated drastically, mentally and physically, from this health issue, and is nearly bald. Honestly, if I had met her in a store or restaurant, I seriously might not have recognized her at all. There is truly a shock and awe in her appearance; I am very concerned about her ability to survive this health issue. She and her husband are struggling with her issues.

FYI since you are new and do not know my history, I gave up my job and took early retirement to be a caregiver for my husband of 43 years, as well as for my mother.

@RedTop...

I was only responding to this post.

When you said your friend is "pitiful"..it was distrubing to me. My "friend" is also very ill and her condition is "critical" at this time. She is housebound, lost much of her hair, has cognitive problems as well as physical. She often becomes discouraged and refers to herself in similar terms (pathetic, a burden, etc.), However, when she does this, her family and friends respond with compassion, and try to be as encouraging as possible. They (we) would never consider referring to her in those terms, even though she is so depressed at times, she "feels" that way about HERSELF. I can't believe her "loved ones" are referring to her this way, especially in her presence!!

That being said, I don't know your past history, but I DO KNOW being a caregiver can be terribly difficult. Taking on that role for both your husband and mother must be (or was) a gracious thing for you to do...and I wish you all the best.