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Suggest Treatment For A Boil On The Forehead
Question: My hisband has a huge boil on his forehead. Does this look like MRSA?
Brief Answer:
Oral and topical antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for writing to me on HCM.
I have reviewed the clinical pictures carefully.
It looks like simple bacterial infection of skin known as pyoderma.
Whether the boil is infected with Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus( MRSA) can only be known if we take a pus sample from the boil and run the culture and antibiotic sensitivity test in laboratory.
Usually culture and sensitivity tests are not recommended straight away unless we have tried basic antibiotics.
Therefore, i would suggest that you go along a primary course I will highlight below and in case there is no improvement after 1 week then I would advise culture test.
The primary course I generally recommend is antibiotic like cefadroxil 500mg twice a day for 5 days. Apply topical antibiotic like mupirocin thrice a day over boils.
Take analgesic like Diclofenac if required for the pain.
Cold sponging/ compresses will also reduce pain and swelling.
Avoid picking/ scratching of lesions.
Hope he will get soon well with the treatment highlighted.
Give me your follow up condition after 1 week of treatment.
Thank you
Dr Hardik Pitroda
Oral and topical antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for writing to me on HCM.
I have reviewed the clinical pictures carefully.
It looks like simple bacterial infection of skin known as pyoderma.
Whether the boil is infected with Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus( MRSA) can only be known if we take a pus sample from the boil and run the culture and antibiotic sensitivity test in laboratory.
Usually culture and sensitivity tests are not recommended straight away unless we have tried basic antibiotics.
Therefore, i would suggest that you go along a primary course I will highlight below and in case there is no improvement after 1 week then I would advise culture test.
The primary course I generally recommend is antibiotic like cefadroxil 500mg twice a day for 5 days. Apply topical antibiotic like mupirocin thrice a day over boils.
Take analgesic like Diclofenac if required for the pain.
Cold sponging/ compresses will also reduce pain and swelling.
Avoid picking/ scratching of lesions.
Hope he will get soon well with the treatment highlighted.
Give me your follow up condition after 1 week of treatment.
Thank you
Dr Hardik Pitroda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you!
I will make sure that he goes to the doctor.
He says that the boil is not painful and that it is not warm to the touch.
I know MRSA can only be diagnosed after official testing, but if it were MRSA would it be painful and warm?
Also, is pyoderma contagious? I have a young son who has been in close contact with my husband and am now worried about him catching it .
I will make sure that he goes to the doctor.
He says that the boil is not painful and that it is not warm to the touch.
I know MRSA can only be diagnosed after official testing, but if it were MRSA would it be painful and warm?
Also, is pyoderma contagious? I have a young son who has been in close contact with my husband and am now worried about him catching it .
Brief Answer:
Nothing to wory, not very contagious
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Nothing to worry as pyoderma is not very contagious. Still for safety, its better to avoid close physical contact for few days.
Once he will be on antibiotics the infectivity will rapidly wane away.
Dr Hardik Pitroda
Nothing to wory, not very contagious
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Nothing to worry as pyoderma is not very contagious. Still for safety, its better to avoid close physical contact for few days.
Once he will be on antibiotics the infectivity will rapidly wane away.
Dr Hardik Pitroda
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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