Question 1

i just had a boil drained and its still hard is that normal?

Accepted Answer

: There is often residual tissue swelling around a any abscess or boil that is drained. It can last weeks, depending on the size of the boil/abscess.  The best results from an abscess occurs when drainage involves removal of an inner abscess lining called the rhine. If a boil is smaller, simple drainage may resolve the issue. If it recurs, it is likely because it has a rhine that needs removal.

Question 2

just got a boil drained but it still hurts and swollen ?

Accepted Answer

Drained boil: Try a cold compress for a couple of days, then switch to a warm compress until the wound is completely healed.

You might ask the doctor who did the drainage about prescribing something for the pain.

Question 3

i had a perianal abscess drained 2 weeks ago and doctor says it looks good, even though its still sore. today, i noticed a boil/ abscess on the outside of my vagina near bikini line but not exactly. not near anus. is this related or a separate issue?

Accepted Answer

Recurrent infection : A "boil" in the "Bikini line" area is probably not related to the perianal abscess. The area is prone to infection and may simply be a coincidence.  See your gyn physician to make sure there is not another reason (hygiene, type two diabetes, etc.).

Question 4

i had a boil drained and pack. i have to change the dressing twice a day. can i use saline would wash from the pharmacy to keep it clean ?

Accepted Answer

: The use of saline should be ok but you should ask the doctor who drained and packed the boil to be certain. That doctor know the situation the best and can say for sure if this would be ok. Good luck to you!

Question 5

boil drained and has a soft black head over it. head now gone. crater left. how should i treat this now? band-aid and neosporin on it now.

Accepted Answer

Sounds good: Will probably leave scar depending on how deep crater is, but getting it to heal is key.

Question 6

i had a armpit boil drained leaving a lump. after the wound healed i heard a popping noise.i think it bursted inside. no pain yet, should i be worried?

Accepted Answer

NO: These incisions heal from the inside out and the "lump" may be scar formation. Look for these following red flags: heat, pain, redness, swelling or fever. If these occur call your physician ASAP.

Question 7

had an  abscess drained 5 days ago near the top of my butt crack. it is still rock hard is that normal?

Accepted Answer

Not usally: Sounds like a pilonidal cyst.  It may have been drained too early or not completely.  You will need to see your doctor again.

Question 8

i had a boil a couple weeks ago, came to head and drained on it's own. this past week i got another one right below and it finally popped but, there's a hard red lump now above my new boil. could another one be returning? while one is still draining?

Accepted Answer

Boils: When boils come in crops it indicates that the skin at the involved site is colonized by staph bacteria which are becoming invasive. In my experience this calls for a course of potent antistaphyloccal antibiotic given orally for 10-14 days. In addition keep the surrounding skin sterilized with rubbing alcohol and keep it protected from pus by covering the active boils with gauze and paper tape.

Question 9

how soon after an abscess is drained does it flatten out again? i had an abscess drained from my pubic area a couple of days ago and it is still hard and raised. no pus came out from i&d, just blood. is it normal to still feel hard & raised? no pain?

Accepted Answer

: Two days is too soon to have all swelling clear up. Return to your doctor if it starts to enlarge again, or if no better after a week or two.

Question 10

had an abscess drained from my armpit on 7/20. i still have a hard lump and painful. could it still be an abscess there or cyst?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: It takes a bit of time to settle and the hard bit is the inflammatory process around the lump. It will take few more weeks to get better
If symptoms of pain, redness, fever or feeling unwell start coming, then you would suspect that the abscess is building up again

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Doctor answers about:

Boil drained but still hard edges

A member asked:

I just had a boil drained and its still hard is that normal?

A member asked:

Just got a boil drained but it still hurts and swollen ?

A member asked:

I had a perianal abscess drained 2 weeks ago and doctor says it looks good, even though its still sore. today, i noticed a boil/ abscess on the outside of my vagina near bikini line but not exactly. not near anus. is this related or a separate issue?

A member asked:

I had a boil drained and pack. i have to change the dressing twice a day. can i use saline would wash from the pharmacy to keep it clean ?

A member asked:

Boil drained and has a soft black head over it. head now gone. crater left. how should i treat this now? band-aid and neosporin on it now.

A member asked:

I had a armpit boil drained leaving a lump. after the wound healed i heard a popping noise.i think it bursted inside. no pain yet, should i be worried?

A member asked:

Had an abscess drained 5 days ago near the top of my butt crack. it is still rock hard is that normal?

A member asked:

I had a boil a couple weeks ago, came to head and drained on it's own. this past week i got another one right below and it finally popped but, there's a hard red lump now above my new boil. could another one be returning? while one is still draining?

A member asked:

How soon after an abscess is drained does it flatten out again? i had an abscess drained from my pubic area a couple of days ago and it is still hard and raised. no pus came out from i&d, just blood. is it normal to still feel hard & raised? no pain?

A member asked:

Had an abscess drained from my armpit on 7/20. i still have a hard lump and painful. could it still be an abscess there or cyst?

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