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Does Topical Lotion Help In Treating Furuncle?

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Posted on Fri, 28 Aug 2015
Question: I uploaded a picture not too long ago of a bump under my skin, coming to the surface with a red ring around it. It went away but now on the same arm there is another pimple looking bump (lumpy under skin too) with a ring around it. I started Bactrim Ds but it gave me awful side effects so i had to stop it. Once i stopped it it moved to another bump under my arm. Now I have another ring around a red lump. The very first out of 3 bumps had puss but these last two haven't the doctor online (not on this site) said that it was cellulitis but a dr on here said it was furuncle. I'm freaking out. The dr prescribed me a topical lotion and I'm using it but if it is cellulitis I'm so so scared that it will enter my bloodstream. Please help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Furuncle is bacterial infection of skin with surrounding cellulitis

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have read your query, however, I could not find any Image. I would request you to kindly try and Upload a pic again.

I would also like to know whether are these painful?tender to touch?

After going through your query these seems like bacterial infection of skin i.e Furuncle. One of them also had pus in it. The bacteria usually gains entry through a hair follicle. Furuncle is deeper and is felt as a tender, hard lump.

Furuncle is usually associated with surrounding Cellulitis. Therefore these 2 conditions are often seen together. The furuncle bearing area feels warm to touch and is swollen. There may be fever.

Since you have 2-3 lesions, therefore, I would suggest a course of an Oral antibiotic, other than bactrim e.g Fucloxacillin Or Cephalexin 500 mg thrice daily for a week.

Topically you may use an antibacterial ointment e.g 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (18 minutes later)
thank you the 3rd lesion went away a while ago. will the cream help the infection or just an oral antibiotic
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Oral and topical antibiotics

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Oral antibiotic is definitely more effective than using topical antibiotics alone, specially in case of a furuncle which is usually set at a deeper level and more so if you are getting new lesions. Therefore, if you have an active lesion, you may start with oral antibiotic that I had suggested.
In addition, topically you may use a 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily. That would help in addition.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (37 minutes later)
how do I get this medicine
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Oral antibiotics are prescription medications

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Oral antibiotics and Mupirocin ointment are prescription medications and therefore you need to talk to your General Practitioner for a prescription.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 days later)
Okay can i ask. My dr said it was a pustule but it had a ring around it so i think she was wrong. Now, the last bump i had with puss i was sanitary however i did touch a bottle of polysporin with the same hands i touched the lump with. Now today without even thinking i touched an open wound from falling with the polysporin. Can i get staph from this?? The last time i touched the polysporin before this was about 2 weeks ago maybe 1. please don't laugh :( i know it's a funny question
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Staph is ubiquitous; Proper wound care would decrease chances of infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Staph is ubiquitous environmental organism and therefore an open wound can get infected with staph from any contaminated surface Or object.
Proper wound care and asepsis would decrease chances of contamination and cure any existing infection e.g using soap water to clean the wound, always washing hands before touching your wound etc, using an antiseptic solution like betadine Or peroxide to clean/ disinfect the wound.
You may also use a topical antibacterial e.g 2% mupirocin twice daily for any open wound after cleaning.

Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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Does Topical Lotion Help In Treating Furuncle?

Brief Answer: Furuncle is bacterial infection of skin with surrounding cellulitis Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to us I have read your query, however, I could not find any Image. I would request you to kindly try and Upload a pic again. I would also like to know whether are these painful?tender to touch? After going through your query these seems like bacterial infection of skin i.e Furuncle. One of them also had pus in it. The bacteria usually gains entry through a hair follicle. Furuncle is deeper and is felt as a tender, hard lump. Furuncle is usually associated with surrounding Cellulitis. Therefore these 2 conditions are often seen together. The furuncle bearing area feels warm to touch and is swollen. There may be fever. Since you have 2-3 lesions, therefore, I would suggest a course of an Oral antibiotic, other than bactrim e.g Fucloxacillin Or Cephalexin 500 mg thrice daily for a week. Topically you may use an antibacterial ointment e.g 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily. Regards