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Suggest Treatment For Lump In Buttock
Question: Hi, I noticed, when showering, a strange node like lump on inner side of buttock. felt smooth but no " headlike" area, like one sees on a boil. it is tender and when using commode, or sitting, I do so gingerly. I tried to see my MD, but was told to go to ER., as he cannot see my till scheduled appt in March! Funny area to find this. any suggestions? Thank you, A. M. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Continue using heat.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. XXXXXXX
I am sorry you are having this difficulty. Since it feels tender, it may be an infected hair follicle or cyst - a boil that has not come to a head yet.
I have had good success with small skin infections with using hot compresses and if on one's bottom, hot sitz baths. It looks like you are already trying warm compresses but I can't tell for how long you have had the bump and for how long you have been trying the compresses. Make the compresses quite hot, but not enough to burn your skin. I'd give this a couple of days.
If no success with the compresses after 2 days (no signs of improvement) then you will need to go in to have it incised and drained. Also consider going in sooner if it is getting considerably worse.
In much of the country there are urgent care or walk in clinics. I don't know what your insurance situation is, but they can take care of it without needing to go to the ER.
I hope this information helps.
Continue using heat.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. XXXXXXX
I am sorry you are having this difficulty. Since it feels tender, it may be an infected hair follicle or cyst - a boil that has not come to a head yet.
I have had good success with small skin infections with using hot compresses and if on one's bottom, hot sitz baths. It looks like you are already trying warm compresses but I can't tell for how long you have had the bump and for how long you have been trying the compresses. Make the compresses quite hot, but not enough to burn your skin. I'd give this a couple of days.
If no success with the compresses after 2 days (no signs of improvement) then you will need to go in to have it incised and drained. Also consider going in sooner if it is getting considerably worse.
In much of the country there are urgent care or walk in clinics. I don't know what your insurance situation is, but they can take care of it without needing to go to the ER.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, my lump,cyst has been on going for approx 2 mos. I recently was on anti-biotics & area decreased in size but now has returned with tenderness again. My dr seems to think ER is better? I will use compresses & then decide regarding tx but is it unusual to have cyst in the "crack" of ones buttock (midway) I am not overweight & have no hair, like some male would. Anyway, it is a new place for me as I have never heard nor known anyone with this condition. & needless to say, it is pretty embarrassing! PS. I am a retired critical care RN, feel pretty silly at this time! Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Not an unusual place for an abscess/boil.
Detailed Answer:
No need to feel embarrassed about this. It actually is not an unusual place to get a boil or abscess.
If you have been treating it with hot compresses for 2 months and it hasn't gone away, it is time to have it looked at.
In different parts of the country, health care is delivered in different places (for example where I live in Wisconsin, urgent care doctors could treat this and ER is reserved for emergencies). So I will defer to your doctor's judgement of where would be the best place to go for this in your region.
I will add that in both ERs and urgent care centers, in many places nowadays, there will be both physicians and physician's assistants. At least where I live, nobody minds if you request (when registering) to be seen by the physician. Your wait may be a little longer, but after all, if you are a nurse, you want someone who has more training about this than you have!
The doctor will incise and drain the infected lump. This is the most effective way to clear a contained skin infection. Boils and other walled off infections of the skin can respond variably to antibiotics. Usually antibiotics don't penetrate them very well and that's why incision is required.
Please don't feel silly. Go on in and get some relief!
Not an unusual place for an abscess/boil.
Detailed Answer:
No need to feel embarrassed about this. It actually is not an unusual place to get a boil or abscess.
If you have been treating it with hot compresses for 2 months and it hasn't gone away, it is time to have it looked at.
In different parts of the country, health care is delivered in different places (for example where I live in Wisconsin, urgent care doctors could treat this and ER is reserved for emergencies). So I will defer to your doctor's judgement of where would be the best place to go for this in your region.
I will add that in both ERs and urgent care centers, in many places nowadays, there will be both physicians and physician's assistants. At least where I live, nobody minds if you request (when registering) to be seen by the physician. Your wait may be a little longer, but after all, if you are a nurse, you want someone who has more training about this than you have!
The doctor will incise and drain the infected lump. This is the most effective way to clear a contained skin infection. Boils and other walled off infections of the skin can respond variably to antibiotics. Usually antibiotics don't penetrate them very well and that's why incision is required.
Please don't feel silly. Go on in and get some relief!
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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