Abscess needs lancing, will it leave a scar?

fannyannie_2

Please move if this is in the wrong place!

This isnt really money saving but wanted peoples experiences on this.

I have a large and very painfull abscess on my chest, went to see my gp yesterday who has put me on antibiotics. I am seeing the nurse tomorrow to have the pus drained out. The doctor didnt explain the procedure but i just assumed they put a needle into it and drain it out but looking on nhs direct they cut it!

My cleavage is my best and only asset and i dont want to scar it! Anyone got any experience of this?

Thanks in advance xx

U've_been_framed

Having neither a cleavage nor medical knowledge I am not really qualified to comment; but I am sure that if a nurse is doing it, then it is very minor surgery only requiring local anaesthetic. If there is a scar it may well be out of sight and when it heals it will be virtually invisible. I have 2 scars on my head from minor surgery. One was from having a mole removed from my forehead earlier this year. You would probably never notice them. OK, people don't look at my head the way they would at a cleavage (I still haven't lost that adolescent obsession) but I am sure that you don't have to worry.

I also think that it (they?) is not your only asset. You seem reasonably intelligent.

Worst case scenario: claim it was a duelling scar.

HTH

silvercar

Never believe all the scare stories on the internet!

If it is all pus ie liquid, then it can be drained with a needle. If it contains more solid yuk then there may be a need to make a small incision. If it is being done by a nurse under no anaesthetic (other than possibly a numbing cream) then any cut will only be surface deep and may scab but shouldn't scar.

suki1964

I had one removed from the same spot - and it left a scar like a chicken pox scar

IIRC they used a cross incision ( x ) to drain it and dug down deep to get it all out. It also has to be deep so you don't heal up too quick because they want all the gunk out else it will just grow again. Wasn't stitched, just left with dressings and instructions on how to keep it clean.

Nowdays my cleavage isnt my best asset but a bit of make up covers the scar if needed and honestly I dont ever remember anyone else passing comment on it its that small

MissSunshine

I had one on my lower arm years ago and it was done in exactly the same way as suki1964 described, was quite a hole but it healed and is the same size as my tb scar. Was the 2 courses of anti-b's that knocked me for six.

Savvy_Sue

TMI! :rotfl: