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I Have A Large Soft Mass On The Inside Of My Right Elbow, Just Above The Crease. I Noticed It 4 Days Ago.
Question: Hello, Doctor. Thank you for considering my question.
I have a large soft mass on the inside of my right elbow, just above the crease. I noticed it 4 days ago. It is tender to the touch, but not painful when I move the arm, although some tenderness and warmth develops after using it repeatedly to move objects or type. It is not like any sprain or tendonitis I have had in the past. It is not hot and has not responded to ice or anti-inflammatories. I had a MRSA infection on that arm in April, on the forearm below the elbow, but I was compliant with the medication regimen and it resolved. There is no obvious cut or damage to the area, although there is a small probable bug bite (not spider, more likely flea) right at the elbow crease. It is the size of a dot on an I that is red, but no surrounding redness or bump. I don't usually have reactions to bug bites.
I do have some osteoarthritis in my hands and fibromyalgia (I take tramadol daily), but this is not like either of those. I had a brief, high fever 103.5F with the MRSA infection, and also with a sebaceous cyst in my groin that recently resolved, but no fever with this. I am at a loss how to proceed or what doctor to consult, but I am mildly concerned about another MRSA infection. How worried should I be? Thank you!
I have a large soft mass on the inside of my right elbow, just above the crease. I noticed it 4 days ago. It is tender to the touch, but not painful when I move the arm, although some tenderness and warmth develops after using it repeatedly to move objects or type. It is not like any sprain or tendonitis I have had in the past. It is not hot and has not responded to ice or anti-inflammatories. I had a MRSA infection on that arm in April, on the forearm below the elbow, but I was compliant with the medication regimen and it resolved. There is no obvious cut or damage to the area, although there is a small probable bug bite (not spider, more likely flea) right at the elbow crease. It is the size of a dot on an I that is red, but no surrounding redness or bump. I don't usually have reactions to bug bites.
I do have some osteoarthritis in my hands and fibromyalgia (I take tramadol daily), but this is not like either of those. I had a brief, high fever 103.5F with the MRSA infection, and also with a sebaceous cyst in my groin that recently resolved, but no fever with this. I am at a loss how to proceed or what doctor to consult, but I am mildly concerned about another MRSA infection. How worried should I be? Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Diagnosis: Abscess (MRSA induced possibly)
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Recurrent skin infection can occur in people who had previous episodes of MRSA and this is an important concern in your case. The soft lump is likely to be an abscess (collection of pus) caused by MRSA.
Depending on the size of the abscess, drainage of the abscess may be needed. An oral antibiotic (clindamycin) also should be initiated.
So please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider for necessary evaluation and management.
You can continue icing the area and take Tylenol for pain.
Recurrent MRSA infection also requires application of mupirocin(antibiotic) ointment in the nostrils for 5 days. This is because MRSA usually colonizes in nostrils causing recurrent infections.
Hope this answers your question
Please let me know if you need further clarification
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Diagnosis: Abscess (MRSA induced possibly)
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Recurrent skin infection can occur in people who had previous episodes of MRSA and this is an important concern in your case. The soft lump is likely to be an abscess (collection of pus) caused by MRSA.
Depending on the size of the abscess, drainage of the abscess may be needed. An oral antibiotic (clindamycin) also should be initiated.
So please be advised to follow up with your primary care provider for necessary evaluation and management.
You can continue icing the area and take Tylenol for pain.
Recurrent MRSA infection also requires application of mupirocin(antibiotic) ointment in the nostrils for 5 days. This is because MRSA usually colonizes in nostrils causing recurrent infections.
Hope this answers your question
Please let me know if you need further clarification
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Doctor, why do you think it is an abscess? How can we test to confirm it? or does it just require a physical examination? If it were a hard lump would that make a difference? (I was palpating it last night and wondering if I misspoke when I said it was soft. There is some movement and soft tissue around it, but I am not sure if an experienced diagnostician would call it soft or hard.)
I do not have a PCP, only a series of specialists. What kind of doctor would you recommend that I see? I very much appreciate your help and perspective.
Thank you.
I do not have a PCP, only a series of specialists. What kind of doctor would you recommend that I see? I very much appreciate your help and perspective.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Most likely to be abscess
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
An abscess can be diagnosed with physical examination alone. Since you notice tenderness, ability to move the mass, warmth and previous history of MRSA, abscess is the first and foremost consideration. An abscess may be hard depending upon how tense is the collection of pus inside.
You can either follow up with a primary care provider or urgent care for necessary evaluation. Follow up with a specialist is not needed.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Most likely to be abscess
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
An abscess can be diagnosed with physical examination alone. Since you notice tenderness, ability to move the mass, warmth and previous history of MRSA, abscess is the first and foremost consideration. An abscess may be hard depending upon how tense is the collection of pus inside.
You can either follow up with a primary care provider or urgent care for necessary evaluation. Follow up with a specialist is not needed.
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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