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Can Perineal Abscess Be Hard To The Touch?

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Posted on Mon, 4 Jul 2022
Question: Hello, I am a 34 yo female with a history of 4 child births. I have pelvic prolapse and endometriosis and a history of IBS

I started taking probiotics a couple months ago (which cured my IBS) and ran out of my capsules a couple weeks ago. During that time My stools became very hard and I believe may have caused a fissure. I’ve had fissures before and was experiencing sharp pains in my rectum. I then discover a small pea sized hard and painful lump that was about 1/4 inch under the skin of my perenium. I began using hot compresses, and by the next day it had grown to 2 cm big and was protruding from my perenium.

The lump is hard and rubbery. I called my doctor because unable to get an appointment until Monday. She prescribed me the antibiotic Kelflex.

My question is, have you seen anything like this before? Do you think it might be a perineal abscess? Can perennial abscess be hard to the touch?

If not, do you have any other suggestion of what this may be? It is painful and beginning to really effect my quality of life.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Perineal abscess likely.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

A sudden appearance of the lump that is growing fast with pain in the area is suggestive of an infection like folliculitis or an abscess. This can be hard to touch initially due to induration. Gradually as the pus collects a pus point can be seen. It is best to start with the prescribed antibiotic and do a hot compress thrice a day and let the pus collect to form a pus point so that the pus can be drained to get a relief. You can also have a mild pain killer in addition to it to have relief.
You can upload the image in the box provided on the right hand side of this query page.

I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Regards,
Dr. Rakhi Tayal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (53 minutes later)
Thanks I appreciate your answer. If you would kindly look at my picture and tell me if this is consistent with a perineal abscess.

You can see a slim tag in the picture which has always been there. Only the lump has appeared within the last few days.
Do you find it normal or abnormal that an abscess would have a flesh colored appearance instead of red? And is the shape of this consistent with a perineal abscess? Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
This seems to be an infection.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

The lump is due to an infection. This can be blocked gland also instead of an abscess. It can be flesh colored.
The shape can be any- round or irregular according to the area of infection. This seems to be a perineal folliculitis or a small abscess.

Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal

OBGYN

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 14047 Questions

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Can Perineal Abscess Be Hard To The Touch?

Brief Answer: Perineal abscess likely. Detailed Answer: Hello, A sudden appearance of the lump that is growing fast with pain in the area is suggestive of an infection like folliculitis or an abscess. This can be hard to touch initially due to induration. Gradually as the pus collects a pus point can be seen. It is best to start with the prescribed antibiotic and do a hot compress thrice a day and let the pus collect to form a pus point so that the pus can be drained to get a relief. You can also have a mild pain killer in addition to it to have relief. You can upload the image in the box provided on the right hand side of this query page. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Regards, Dr. Rakhi Tayal