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Suggest Remedies For Swollen, Red And Painful Abscess In Forearm
Question: i went to an urgent care to have a lump that showed up on my forearm 4 days ago and its been very painful, when i use my arm or to the touch. She asked me if I had lifted weights or have been doing any kind of work or heavy lifting which i have not been, then she asked if I had gotten bitten... which again no, or if i had any kind of cut.
I haven't had any and nothing happened for it to show up, she then proceeded to tell me she thought it was an abscess, and gave me paperwork that described what an abscess was, and I literally have none of the symptoms, its not red or swollen, I haven't had any kind of cut or bite to make it become infected or abscessed... its just a painful lump... she then advised me that if the medication didn't work to go to ER and have ultrasound and maybe blood work.
Should I just take the medication to see if it goes away? and follow her instructions even though I don't think its an abscess? its between my elbow and wrist closer to elbow, not red, not warm, just a hard lump/knot under skin, thats painful.
I haven't had any and nothing happened for it to show up, she then proceeded to tell me she thought it was an abscess, and gave me paperwork that described what an abscess was, and I literally have none of the symptoms, its not red or swollen, I haven't had any kind of cut or bite to make it become infected or abscessed... its just a painful lump... she then advised me that if the medication didn't work to go to ER and have ultrasound and maybe blood work.
Should I just take the medication to see if it goes away? and follow her instructions even though I don't think its an abscess? its between my elbow and wrist closer to elbow, not red, not warm, just a hard lump/knot under skin, thats painful.
Brief Answer:
If its an abscess, should be drained.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Can you please attach a photo of it so I can give more valuable answer?
Generally, not every abscess causes swelling and redness. It all depends what has caused it. It does not have to be an infection. Some abscesses can appear due to rheumatoid diseases for example.
The other thing is that abscess can not be treated with an antibiotic. Its a mistake thinking like that. If she thought about an abscess, she should than consult a surgeon and the abscess should be drained.
So I do not thing following her instructions is a good idea. You should rather have an ultrasound done to see what kind of fluid is inside (if any). General surgeon is a good doctor to consult.
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
If its an abscess, should be drained.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Can you please attach a photo of it so I can give more valuable answer?
Generally, not every abscess causes swelling and redness. It all depends what has caused it. It does not have to be an infection. Some abscesses can appear due to rheumatoid diseases for example.
The other thing is that abscess can not be treated with an antibiotic. Its a mistake thinking like that. If she thought about an abscess, she should than consult a surgeon and the abscess should be drained.
So I do not thing following her instructions is a good idea. You should rather have an ultrasound done to see what kind of fluid is inside (if any). General surgeon is a good doctor to consult.
Hope this helps. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks, I have uploaded a pic, its hard to see in the picture, you can feel it more than you can see the knot/lump.... its about a golf ball size round... but its nothing on the surface to really see. But thank you for the info.
Lana
Lana
Brief Answer:
There is no abscess for sure.
Detailed Answer:
Its not visible indeed. But it is clearly visible that there is no abscess at all. No doubt in that. You have minor amount of fatty tissue and your skin is thin. That means that any abscess would be clearly visible.
Ultrasound is a good idea.
There is no abscess for sure.
Detailed Answer:
Its not visible indeed. But it is clearly visible that there is no abscess at all. No doubt in that. You have minor amount of fatty tissue and your skin is thin. That means that any abscess would be clearly visible.
Ultrasound is a good idea.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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