HomeAnswersInternal MedicineabscessI have an abscess. Is it possible to drain it myself?

What is the best way to treat an abscess on my own?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At August 30, 2022
Reviewed AtOctober 6, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have an abscess, and I saw a doctor. He gave me antibiotics (I took Elequine for three days) and told me to return when I was ready to drain. It has drained a bit on its own. Now the only doctor in town, the one I saw, is away on vacation and I have no way to get to another doctor. I squeezed a bit out, as much as I could. There is still a lot in there. It is still hard. I am keeping it extra clean by using antibacterial soap and antibacterial cream. It is like Polysporin. I would like a doctor to look at it online, and here are my questions.

1) Is it safe to drain it a little by myself?

2) When is it safe to return to the ocean or pool?

3) I am pretty much on my own. Anything I should look for and alarming signs?

4) Because of where it is positioned, I can not sit; that is why I can not take a bus to another town. Next town to a doctor is a two-hour bumpy ride.

But I could find my way to a hospital somehow if I needed to. When would you say I need to go to the ER?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com,

I want to assure you that do not worry as everything is going to be fine soon. I have thoroughly gone through your case and can well understand your genuine concerns. I will answer your questions one by one:

1. I can better suggest you after seeing the abscess online.

2. To go back to the ocean and pool, I can suggest the time frame after actually seeing the access advancement.

3. I can guide you in an online video chat about more alarming signs, particularly related to the abscess size, shape, severity, and how it is healing right now.

4. I will see the abscess, and if needed, I will tell you about a specific surgical dressing available in your town to apply to the wound; it will help in healing the wound fast, and you will have the least discomfort while sitting or walking or lying down in a bed. But it depends on assessing whether you need it or not after carefully examining the abscess.

Such skin infections are really difficult to treat without actually seeing them. I will ask for all the history needed for the case, will thoroughly examine the lesion, and will tell you the method to drain it (squeeze) if needed through video chat. After assessing the case, I can decide how urgent it is to get into the emergency room. Sometimes home remedies work well too. But if the wound is severely infected, I will be in a better position to suggest taking the pain of going to the hospital or any other doctor after two hours of distance travel. It all depends on how serious your disease is and how advanced the infection is. I can decide online.

I hope it helps you today.

The Probable causes

Insect sting bite

Investigations to be done

It can be discussed online.

Treatment plan

It will be discussed according to online physical diagnosis.

Preventive measures

Avoid making the wound dirty for faster recovery.

Regarding follow up

Go to my profile and book a video chat right away and get detailed help needed for the case. If you have any questions or doubts, consult the follow-up query here.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for the reply,

I am here, ready for our video chat which is scheduled for now.

Where should we meet? Are you going to send me a link?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com,

You were supposed to be here one hour back.

Anyway, the team will send you the link for a chat. I have already wasted one hour of mine here waiting for them and you. They were offline, just opted in again and came online.

Let us see how it goes.

I appreciate your presence here.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif
Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Cardiology

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