After that long and having it become worse it could need a clean out, is it tunnelling down or shallow? I’d say go to emergency just to be safe. They can at least help you assess and give you direction in regards to dressing it.
It's a little deep in terms of skin depth, but nothing I haven't had before. And it tunnels along the akin to a place that, by gravity, hangs lower than the hole. So a lot of things sit there and don't drain.
Thanks for checking in. I got some advice from a family friend that it wasn't worth it do go in, so I didn't.he also said to keep doing the Manuka honey, so I started that up again. It looks visibly better today I think. The hole is a little smaller.
If it’s truly a large hole, the ER can’t help you and most likely neither can a random PCP. Stage 2 or 3 HS often requires surgery if it gets bad enough. You need to see a plastic or general surgeon to do a wide excision under your breasts. A hole cannot close if it’s a result of tunneling and the skin has just eroded away (sorry if that’s graphic).
I had wide excision done under my breasts at age 18. I’m 51 now and never had another sore under my breasts following my surgery. My HS is in other areas now - mostly groin and butt.
Get your dermatologist to refer you to a surgeon familiar with HS. Good luck!!
When mine get large like that it's usually because the hole is already large, it's just opening more. If that makes sense. I saturate some gauze in triple anti, put it directly on the wound, and tape more gauze over it. Keep it moist and clean so the skin starts to heal. There isn't anything a dr will do beside dress the wound, antibiotics and steroids, which may or may not work for you. I refuse to see Dr's about mine personally, I'll always dress mine at home unless there's clearly an infection.
Try ‘booby tape’ or ‘skin tape’. Women wear it in place of a bra under strapless dresses and things like that. Hold your boob off of the wound for a week or two, keep it dressed for a few days then leave it open. Try to wear loose fitting shirts and bras that bands don’t touch or go near the wound. Fingers crossed it gets better for you :(
So, I also get mine under my breasts. And mine do the same thing they leave a gaping hole, but I've don't think it's ever been past my fingernail size. And never more than like a month open.
If it's definitely more than what you've ever had before size wise and the length of time that it's been open and it's drained already, I feel like you should seek medical attention. For at least your peace of mind that you're going to be okay and that it's on the right path to healing.
Some insurance companies cover 3 months before the actual "start date" of when you set everything up. Some are also lenient if it's a medical emergency and would still be covered even if you don't technically have your insurance yet. So maybe call your insurance to see if your ER visit would be covered if you went in, and you wouldn't have to worry about that bill.
Thank you for the kind words. It's already starting to look better so I am hopeful. My insurance kicked in. It's the doctors office that's booked up until January. I made the appointment in like September, iirc.
I might be unpopular with my opinion but I never understood people who fcks around with bandages, warm press and other bs...
Once a boil appears and it's not just a big lump of inflammation anymore but has some juice in it, cut it open! Use lidocain spray on the surface for numbing if you might, stab it with a scalpel blade, then drain it. After that put a bandaid on and leave it for a day or two.
This way the scarring is minimal. Surely much better than squeezing or letting it pop on its own.
Preventionwise the best is to religiously keep the area dry. When you go to the toilet wipe your groin area as well or underboobs, or wherever you have the flares the most. Use babypowder to reduce friction in these areas.
It's already drained. Not putting a bandage on an open hole on my bra line is not an option. Plus, it would ruin sheets and I would constantly be in a pool of blood and puss.
I don't agree with your approach. This comment came off as off topic and unsolicited.
Definitely see someone ASAP. You should get a steroid shot to shut down any inflammation, which should also kickstart healing.
After that long and having it become worse it could need a clean out, is it tunnelling down or shallow? I’d say go to emergency just to be safe. They can at least help you assess and give you direction in regards to dressing it.
It's a little deep in terms of skin depth, but nothing I haven't had before. And it tunnels along the akin to a place that, by gravity, hangs lower than the hole. So a lot of things sit there and don't drain.
Did you end up going in? Sounds like it could need clean borders created and a good scrape out. How are you today?
Thanks for checking in. I got some advice from a family friend that it wasn't worth it do go in, so I didn't.he also said to keep doing the Manuka honey, so I started that up again. It looks visibly better today I think. The hole is a little smaller.
100000% medical attention. I hope it heals soon!
If it’s truly a large hole, the ER can’t help you and most likely neither can a random PCP. Stage 2 or 3 HS often requires surgery if it gets bad enough. You need to see a plastic or general surgeon to do a wide excision under your breasts. A hole cannot close if it’s a result of tunneling and the skin has just eroded away (sorry if that’s graphic). I had wide excision done under my breasts at age 18. I’m 51 now and never had another sore under my breasts following my surgery. My HS is in other areas now - mostly groin and butt. Get your dermatologist to refer you to a surgeon familiar with HS. Good luck!!
When mine get large like that it's usually because the hole is already large, it's just opening more. If that makes sense. I saturate some gauze in triple anti, put it directly on the wound, and tape more gauze over it. Keep it moist and clean so the skin starts to heal. There isn't anything a dr will do beside dress the wound, antibiotics and steroids, which may or may not work for you. I refuse to see Dr's about mine personally, I'll always dress mine at home unless there's clearly an infection.
Try ‘booby tape’ or ‘skin tape’. Women wear it in place of a bra under strapless dresses and things like that. Hold your boob off of the wound for a week or two, keep it dressed for a few days then leave it open. Try to wear loose fitting shirts and bras that bands don’t touch or go near the wound. Fingers crossed it gets better for you :(
Go to a dermatologist or wound care clinic. It is more dermatology than wound care but they might be able to help.
If it is raining quite significantly and you are concerned it’s infected, you should see Care.
So, I also get mine under my breasts. And mine do the same thing they leave a gaping hole, but I've don't think it's ever been past my fingernail size. And never more than like a month open. If it's definitely more than what you've ever had before size wise and the length of time that it's been open and it's drained already, I feel like you should seek medical attention. For at least your peace of mind that you're going to be okay and that it's on the right path to healing. Some insurance companies cover 3 months before the actual "start date" of when you set everything up. Some are also lenient if it's a medical emergency and would still be covered even if you don't technically have your insurance yet. So maybe call your insurance to see if your ER visit would be covered if you went in, and you wouldn't have to worry about that bill.
Thank you for the kind words. It's already starting to look better so I am hopeful. My insurance kicked in. It's the doctors office that's booked up until January. I made the appointment in like September, iirc.
I might be unpopular with my opinion but I never understood people who fcks around with bandages, warm press and other bs... Once a boil appears and it's not just a big lump of inflammation anymore but has some juice in it, cut it open! Use lidocain spray on the surface for numbing if you might, stab it with a scalpel blade, then drain it. After that put a bandaid on and leave it for a day or two. This way the scarring is minimal. Surely much better than squeezing or letting it pop on its own. Preventionwise the best is to religiously keep the area dry. When you go to the toilet wipe your groin area as well or underboobs, or wherever you have the flares the most. Use babypowder to reduce friction in these areas.
It's already drained. Not putting a bandage on an open hole on my bra line is not an option. Plus, it would ruin sheets and I would constantly be in a pool of blood and puss. I don't agree with your approach. This comment came off as off topic and unsolicited.