Suggestions on how to care for an opened sebaceous cyst/abscess?

Every summer for about 5 years, I got them in my right armpit and down my right side. Only in the summer, only on the right side. I found that dry healing generally worked better for me than using ointment.

I would strongly recommended you go and see a doctor. This sounds like it has got past the “home treatment” stage. You need to get it sorted out properly by someone who knows what they are doing.

In the mean time do not put alcohol on it. Clean it with boiled water (let the water cool before you use it) with a couple of tea spoons of salt dissolved in it and apply a lint free dressing (such as melolin) and secure it in place with tape.

Then go to the doctor.

yeah I should mention mine were NOT that bad. They never oozed for more than a few hours, and they all fit under a regular bandaid.

There are certain things that you can do to help it heal faster and keep it clean and generally help your bodys response to it.

I would suggest that you take some anti-biotics something like Erythromycin or amoxicillin (speak to your doctor of course) which will ensure that you don’t contract any infections while there is a wound and to combat any lingering infection you might have.

Apply a moisturiser (doublebase works well) to the surrounding skin and general area, this will help your skin to absorb the antibiotic ointment that you are applying better.

Clean the wound and general area with warm water only, if you must use soap use something that doubles as a moisturiser such as dove.

Dalacin T solution works well to heal the skin and resolve the issue long term by repairing the skin and is easy to apply with its roll on application.

How wide is the swollen red lump? Has it enlarged since it started draining? Generally, I recommend sitz baths/moist heat for this kind of thing to help draw the pocket of infection to the surface so it will drain and heal faster. But if the red angry area has been growing, I think you need to be seen – if it happens to be MRSA, you need the right kind of antibiotics and soon.

These things can be miserable if not properly treated. Once I had 17 of them at one time and I was so ridiculously sick… I had to take a full round of Keflex, and I was so weak that I couldn’t even lift my head off the pillow for more than a few seconds.

It’s not huge, it’s maybe half an inch, at least the wound is. I went to see about getting it lanced/removed this summer, but couldn’t get it done immediately because the doc said it was too swollen. I have two roots/balls in there (it grew from just one originally). He gave me an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory cream to put on it, as well as a twice-daily regimen of diluted amuchina (Italian antiseptic liquid, similar to bleach but not bleach) and this did reduce the swelling and pain. I just ended up leaving before seeing a doc again to get it removed.

I’ve been monitoring for signs of infection and seem to be okay so far. No fever, the site doesn’t seem to be growing, etc.

@MagsRags – Should I use salt or anything in the bath, or would warm water suffice? What is MRSA?

I think for now, I’m going to go to a friend’s and take a sitz bath there since the tub here is frankly really disgusting, thanks to my roommates. I’ll also have her take a good look at it and tell me how bad it is. If it’s bad, I’ll go to student health tomorrow.

I too get sebaceous cysts but I think mine are quite deep because they have so far never come to the surface as you describe and turn into an abscess. The doctor used to remove them for me but now I’m told I need to see a cosmetic surgeon. I removed one myself with a Stanley knife, boiling water, vodka and jack (vodka as disinfectant and jack daniels as a painkiller!!) probably not the smartest thing I have ever done but it worked with no problems. What I wanted to ask though was are you aware of anything people like us can do ‘lifestyle’ wise to maybe stop them arising, changes in diet or anything?

I just eventually stopped getting them. Figured I grew out of it.

@poofandmook – It’s possible, I was reading up on them last night and it said they are most common in people in their 20’s and 30’s.

@RareDenver – It sounds like they’re caused by sloughed off skin cells being caught subdermally. So I wonder if daily bathing and exfoliating would help.

Can I just say how much I love my fellow jellies? I love that I can have a really gross question that is important to me, and people answer with no judgement and only wanting to help. You guys truly are the best. Thanks!!

[hugs]

@MissAnthrope MRSA is a type of Staphylococcus that is resistant to a lot of antibiotics. Staphylococcus is a common skin flora (ie it normally grows on the skin) however if you get it in a wound it will cause an infection. Unless you work in a hospital or have been exposed to people who have been colonized by MRSA you are unlikely to be at risk from having it.

Never having had this sort of thing, all I can suggest is putting hot compresses on in the earlier stage, to try to get it to drain sooner.

@MissAnthrope I shower every day and on top of that have a few baths a week, for the chill out time, I don’t exfoliate, I think if I did my wife would think I was queer haha I have given up smoking recently and noticed that the small ones on my neck have gotten much smaller and less aggravated. I’ve heard that putting a heat pack on them three times a day for 20 minutes can help them break down internally and be re-absorbed by the body and then all the yuck just gets dealt with in the normal way.

@MissAnthrope: ”Can I just say how much I love my fellow jellies?” Well, we love you, too! (And I’m following this question because I want to know how this turns out. Keep us updated on what you decide to do and what happens.)

When my husband gets sores on that part of his anatomy he has to be certain not to sit on them. We use pillows to prop him up in various ways. Also, the last time he had one they cleaned it well and put some type of very thin transparent bandage on it that they said to leave in place for a number of days.

@MacBean – Awww, thanks. :)

So, I went to my friend’s and did a sitz bath for 20 minutes with some salt added to the water. I took it as a good sign that it didn’t sting, in addition, there seems to be a lot less pain there than was previously. It’s hardly bleeding, as well, just a teeny bit of spotting.

My friend looked at it and said it didn’t look too bad, that it seems to be drying up and healing. However, she later said, “I don’t know, I think it could cause you trouble”, so I’m not sure now. In addition to the bath, she made me do a hot compress before putting antibacterial ointment on it and bandaging it.

For now, it’s a wait and see.. I’m going to go back over there tomorrow to repeat the procedure and have her see if it’s getting any better. I’ll keep you guys posted, thanks for the info and suggestions!

I get these, too. So following this thread.

So, here’s the update.. no doctor needed! I went back over to my friend’s yesterday and did a hot compress before she cleaned and bandaged the area. She said the site was a bit bigger, but that it looked like that was only because it was healing and crusting around the edges. There wasn’t much blood on the compress towel and today it seems like it may have closed up.

The bandage had some blood, but when I cleaned it just now, the gauze was clean. I’ve been using an antibiotic ointment under the bandaging and my body generally heals stuff like that pretty fast, so I think I’m good. :)

Glad to hear it.

Thanks for the update!

Thanks for your input and suggestions!

Huzzah! Glad you didn’t have to go to a doctor for it. They’re a pain in the butt even when the problem is located elsewhere.

Yet another update.. (don’t read if you’re eating)

I have been cleaning the area and changing the gauze twice daily. The bleeding stopped a few days ago and now it seems to be draining a yellowish pus. When cleaning the area, the pad is always free of anything and it’s only a small amount of pus on the gauze when changed, so I think it’s just draining slowly. Thankfully, it seems to have healed to the point where I don’t think it’s the open wound it was originally.

I palpated the area gently last night in the shower and I think the smaller of the two roots is gone, but the larger one is still present, though smaller than it was originally. This is probably what is draining.

Now that it’s not an open wound, I think I will take the advice of foregoing the antibiotic ointment from now on to help the drainage along (and to not trap the pus under an impermeable layer of petrolatum).

Just wondering if the current state of things sounds about right, that it’s slowly draining and not bleeding anymore?

I know this is a very old post… but maybe my response can still help someone stumbling across this thread on Google.

If you get sebaceous cysts often, particularly in the armpit, groin, or under breast area, you should see your dermatologist and ask about Hidradenitis Suppurativa. It is a chronic condition that ranges in severity from getting one cyst a year to getting several each month.

Most women outgrow the condition once they reach menopause, suggesting that this is a hormonal imbalance and/or autoimmune condition. Hidradenitis Suppurativa is sometimes diagnosed along with other autoimmune diseases such as PCOS, Crohn’s, or Celiac. For this reason, it is imperative that you find the underlying cause of your recurring cysts and make some lifestyle changes to protect your health.

Medical treatments involve antibiotics, hormonal therapy (ie. contraceptives), steroid injection, incision and drainage, or complete excision. At first sight of a cyst, you should apply a warm moist compress twice daily to help the cyst come to a head and drain naturally. Doctors also recommend washing with antibacterial soap, avoiding hot/humid weather, and avoiding jacuzzi tubs. While these treatments are helpful in the short term to ease your immediate pain, they will not cure the underlying problem.

There are alternative treatments that have helped many people control their HS symptoms.
1) First, you need to quit smoking. It’s hard, yes, but you absolutely must do it!! Even if you are only a social smoker… every cigarette counts (and second hand counts too).
2) Second, change your eating/drinking habits. Many people have found intolerances to wheat (gluten), dairy, alcohol, or even potatoes. Try going on an elimination diet, keep a food diary, and slowly re-introduce foods to see what triggers your cysts. Then simply avoid those foods to stay healthy.
3) Third, relieve your stress! The more you relax and have a positive outlook, the better you will feel. You can meditate, take a warm bath, read a good book – whatever helps you de-stress. In time, the cysts will go away and you will be back to your normal self.

I hope this helps someone out there. Just know that you’re not alone and there are many others who have managed to beat this chronic illness. I wish all of you the best of health!