Underarm boil - should I go to the Dr?

ailuro2

I've had a boil type thing in my arm since last Sunday - should I go to the Dr with it, will they be able to help, or is it just time required. It's really sore and is driving me up the wall, obviously it hurts every time I move my arm.

I've tried magnesium sulphate from ther chemist, and putting heat packs on it to draw it out but it still has no head.

So, would I be wasting the Dr's time, or not?

GonzoAston

Me and my sister had one of these at the same time. My doctor gave both of us tablets and it was gone in a few days

Toothsmith

This thread will very soon be closed I predict.

If in doubt - GO TO THE DOCTOR - Not an internet chat room.

When I was 14 I ended up seriously ill in hospital with blood poisoning from a spot that turned into a boil that turned into an abscess.

You will NOT be wasting the doctor's time, even if it isn't serious.

anguk

Agree with Toothsmith, go to the doctor. My SIL had one on her stomach, she ended up having an operation, staying in hospital for 10 days, then coming home with some sort of draining machine attached to her!

Bronnie

Definitely go to doctor. Daughter had one under her arm too. Went to Walk-in centre at local hospital , expecting to be given antibiotics and was kept in and operated on that evening to have it removed. Don't mean to scare you, but you really should get it attended to straight away.

belfastgirl23

If you're worried, go to the doctor. That's why you pay your national insurance after all

kazwookie

Go to the Doctor

We are not qualified to tell you what it is or how it should be dealt with. The Doctor is, that is what he/ she trained for.

absolutebounder

How do you know its a boil and not something else?

RoseFairy

it could be a boil, or cyst, or lymph node - if you have any infections or cuts around face/shoulders etc. or an ingrown hair -especially if you epilate underarm

if you use a body stick then slice off a layer so infections doesn't spread (was it a change of brand), or chuck the underarm roller.

nevertheless, its best to get it checked out.

annie2005

Doctor's is best for this. Under the arms for some reason is a very pain sensitive area. Also try to avoid putting deodorant over the 'boil'. That was my mistake. Managed to, stupidly, turn a razor nick into a full grown infected armpit. :eek:

:oNot one of my proudest achievements.

ailuro2

Thanks for the tip on ditching the roll-on deodorant - I hadn't thought to bin that - I've not been using any since it appeared.


I went to my G.P. who took one look and gave me antibiotics, so I'm really glad that I did need to go and wasn't wasting her time. It's always really busy and it felt a bit trivial going to the docs with a big 'plook' under my arm.:o
That's why I was asking the kind folks on here - just whether they had gone or whether it had resolved itself. Sorry if that might be construed as medical advice.:o


Thanks for everyone's help.:beer: