Skin Abscess

bm28 · 06-30-2008, 06:26 PM

When I was pregnant I poked myself in the foot with a safety pin on accident and it got infected. I told my ob/gyn and she gave me antibiotics for it. This was the week before the baby was born. The infection stayed and about a week after the baby was born I went to another Dr. and he gave me a stronger antibiotic and said I had a skin abscess. The 2nd antibiotic didn't work either. I have had this abscess for over 2 months now and it's still there. It has gotten alot better than it was but it is about the size of a fingertip on my foot and it seems to be keeping the same size now. Does anyone know what I can do to get rid of it???? It's getting really frustrating. Thanks!

Lindaru · 06-30-2008, 11:37 PM

Since both rounds of antibiotics did not help, you may have to have a punch biopsy of it. They will check to see if it is a fungal infection and if so, they will give anti-fungals to treat it.

It is possible that it is just a regular infection and they have not found the right antibiotic to treat it yet, but you need to let them know the second one did not work.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes. In the mean time, keep the area clean and covered if it is in an area rubbing against sock, pantyhose or shoe.

Lindaru

feelbad · 07-01-2008, 09:59 AM

yep,i agree with linda,you do need at this point in time to get much more specific here as to what this actually is. they can do a biopsy or even take some fluid out of the abcess and see what actually is creating this infection by just culturing it. it could be some sort of staph infection too that could possibly even take a round of IV anti Bs to fully clear. it wouldn't hurt either to maybe check your overall labs and the blood sugars just to see if this could be symptomatic of possible diabetes too? its just a possibility when you have any type of sore usually the foot or lower leg that just wont heal properly. you could also see if you can be refered to an infectious disease type specialist too. they just know how to really Dx different types of resistant to anti b type infections much better and also treat more effectively than your standard primary doc can in most cases.

just having this going on for over two months would indicate the need for a bit more in depth Dx of what it actually is and why it is still there now. i hope you can get this cleared soon. please let us know how things are going hon. FB

bm28 · 07-01-2008, 12:11 PM

Thanks for the respones. I had a diabetes test when I was pregnant so I don't have that. The last Dr took a swab of the abscess and said he was pretty sure he knew what was causing it. He never did call back though to tell me what it was and I didn't call him. I know he said I was limited on what I can take since i'm breastfeeding.

feelbad · 07-02-2008, 09:03 AM

you really do need to try and touch base with that doc just to see what did or did not actually show up with that culture he did on you(NEVER assume that no news is good news or there is not a real issue with your health. you could have simply fallen thru the cracks). the fact that you still have this is just a bit worrisome. i am wondering too,since you really don't know just what this actually is,if you even should be realistically breast feeding either,you know what i mean? some infections can just show up in breast milk. i seriously would contact this doc and see what that showed and also ask him about the breast feeding too. you just don't want to take ANY chances when it comes to your baby. you also need this finally cleared,its just been wayy too long.

i would be giving your doc a call today and just find out where you are at with everything and if it is just plain safe to be breast feeding with an unknown cause/non treated for infection like you have. in this instance,it is definetly better safe than sorry ya know? you should also maybe have your breast milk tested. you just don't want to take any chances with that. but make that call today,you just need to know. hopefully this will clear soon and everything is fine,but if you have never heard back from your doc,you just really need to. that wound should just not still be there. good luck hon and please let us know what you find out. FB