i have an abcess in my armpit,bad pain etc,on antibiotics,but how can i speed up recovery,and avoid in future?

Answer 1

Stop using antiperspirant. You have a choice, wet or sore.

Answer 2

Unfortunately it is going to hurt until it drains (usually 4-10 days), so you may want to take OTC painkillers or if it's really bad, call your doctor for some prescription painkiller in the meantime. He/she can prescribe lidocaine gel which is a topical painkiller that helps a LOT.

Soak a washcloth in very warm water and hold it to the abcess 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, 10 minutes on as many times a day as you can stand to do it (at least 3) - that will help to bring the abcess "to a head" so that it can drain. Alternately or in addition, take long hot baths, being sure that the abcessed area is under water.

After it is drained (it will drain on its own, but if the abcess recurs later in the same place you may want your doctor to surgically drain it for you just to make sure that it's really all cleared out), wash with antibacterial soap and bandage it as best you can so that the skin can heal without getting re-infected.

Abcesses can be caused by infected hair follicles which can happen from a razor nick, so if you shave your armpits then make sure you are using a razor that's clean and has smooth, sharp blades. Or consider not shaving, or shaving less often.

Taking vitamins A and E can help prevent abcesses from occurring in the first place.

And generally you want to keep the skin as clean and dry as you can.

Answer 3

Not sure how you could avoid it. But to speed things up a bit put the kettle on once it comes to a boil, pour some of the water on a tea bag. Let it cool but not too much, you want it as hot as you can tolerate. Then place the tea bag over your abcess and leave until it gets cool. Keep this up 1x per day and it will draw the poison out faster than just leaving it alone. Use a regular tea bag not a fruity or herb tea.

Answer 4

I used to suffer from these terrible!

I don't think there is any way you can minimize getting them,

I know it sound disgusting but get in a hot shower or bath or apply a really hot compress to the abcess for as long as you can stand it - then put pressure on it and some of the puss should start to come out.......(horrible I know) but this will immediately feel better and reduce soreness - do this every day and it will eventually start to feel better. It will actually have a core and until this comes out it will keep filling up with puss again...........

I used to get them all the time and as quick as they started the just stopped coming..............I have never felt pain like it so I know what you mean.

Good luck mate!

Answer 5

For the future you could try Bowen Therapy, or some form of lymphatic drainage. Lots of lymph nodes in that area, keeping the lymph moving will help drain all liquids away, and help your own immune system deal with the problem.

There are alternative forms of deodorant that are not antiperspirant, but control the bacteria that actually cause the BO.

If it developed from a hair follicle cyst/ingrowing hair.... then for small mostly very temporary examples of these cysts on different parts of my body I have alternately been told to shave/wax to reduce the hairs or to stop shaving.

Answer 6

antibiotics dont really work unless youve had the abcess lanced, keep the area clean with a antibacterial wash from the chemist called Aquacept. Wear loose clothing around the area Dont use talc under your arms, it will only block the sweat glands.

Answer 7

I had one of them a couple of years ago , started off the size of a pea ,when I eventually went to the docs was like a golf ball ,when I went out for a beer was like I was some posing weight trainer , but it proped me arm out .Anyway antibiotics cleared it up leaving a crater type scar.I used to use under arm spray and I believe that that caused it .However cysts occur in some people anyway. Daft part about it was the antibiotics for the cyst caused thrush in my mouth and I needed more antibiotics to clear that up .Anyway wish you well.

Answer 8

Abscesses like this usually occur when you are run down or neglecting your health.

You need to take things easier for a while, but as your question insinuates, you want to get back to your old ways ASAP. Sure fire way of getting an abscess like this again.

Chill out, look after yourself, and stop trying to rush things, then you might get better.

Answer 9

one of my daughters suffers with them alot hers is caused by the perfume and colouring in soaps and deodorants she's been using Aquarius(soap with no perfume or additives) she also users bioson crystals from boots chemist that you just add water to then spray.she hasn't had them for over a year now.

Answer 10

the antibiotics should clear it up o.k. and in future you would besafer to lay off the antiperspirant, and just use talcom or ordinary deodorant.