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Hello, My Mom Recently Video Called Me And Showed Me
Question: Hello, My mom recently video called me and showed me what appears to be a hole on the back of her head. A few weeks back she felt what seemed to be a scab but payed no mind, today when she was picking at it she decided to have my sister take a picture of it she was worried and video called me to let me know. With things with covid-19 looking so bad, she is afraid to go to the hospital. I've uploaded a picture, I know that a picture is not enough to make a complete assessment or diagnosis but perhaps with the years of experience that you have, you would perhaps have some idea....
Hello, My mom recently video called me and showed me what appears to be a hole on the back of her head. A few weeks back she felt what seemed to be a scab but payed no mind, today when she was picking at it she decided to have my sister take a picture of it she was worried and video called me to let me know. With things with covid-19 looking so bad, she is afraid to go to the hospital. I've uploaded a picture, I know that a picture is not enough to make a complete assessment or diagnosis but perhaps with the years of experience that you have, you would perhaps have some idea....
Brief Answer:
It is very likely a skin infection called Furuncule.
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query / image and here is my opinion.
It is very likely a Furuncle - Head.
A furuncle is a infection that forms around a hair follicle,usually involving surrounding tissue and may contain pus.
Most common cause is a bacterium known as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).
I hope that she is not a diabetic.
Such infections are a common feature of Diabetics and even they might be resistant to treatment.
She can take a few measures like.......
Apply a warm, moist compress.
Maintain hygiene by frequent hair washing.
Avoid touching or squeezing it and wash the hands thoroughly,if at all,she touches the site.
She can take over the counter analgesics like Acetaminophen(Tynelol) or Ibuprofen for control of pain and inflammation.
Usually antibiotic ointment is applied and area is covered with sterile dressing.
Some patients may require oral antibiotics.
If the symptoms do not improve,please visit a clinician for further evaluation and management.
Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
It is very likely a skin infection called Furuncule.
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query / image and here is my opinion.
It is very likely a Furuncle - Head.
A furuncle is a infection that forms around a hair follicle,usually involving surrounding tissue and may contain pus.
Most common cause is a bacterium known as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).
I hope that she is not a diabetic.
Such infections are a common feature of Diabetics and even they might be resistant to treatment.
She can take a few measures like.......
Apply a warm, moist compress.
Maintain hygiene by frequent hair washing.
Avoid touching or squeezing it and wash the hands thoroughly,if at all,she touches the site.
She can take over the counter analgesics like Acetaminophen(Tynelol) or Ibuprofen for control of pain and inflammation.
Usually antibiotic ointment is applied and area is covered with sterile dressing.
Some patients may require oral antibiotics.
If the symptoms do not improve,please visit a clinician for further evaluation and management.
Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Brief Answer:
It is very likely a skin infection called Furuncule.
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query / image and here is my opinion.
It is very likely a Furuncle - Head.
A furuncle is a infection that forms around a hair follicle,usually involving surrounding tissue and may contain pus.
Most common cause is a bacterium known as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).
I hope that she is not a diabetic.
Such infections are a common feature of Diabetics and even they might be resistant to treatment.
She can take a few measures like.......
Apply a warm, moist compress.
Maintain hygiene by frequent hair washing.
Avoid touching or squeezing it and wash the hands thoroughly,if at all,she touches the site.
She can take over the counter analgesics like Acetaminophen(Tynelol) or Ibuprofen for control of pain and inflammation.
Usually antibiotic ointment is applied and area is covered with sterile dressing.
Some patients may require oral antibiotics.
If the symptoms do not improve,please visit a clinician for further evaluation and management.
Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
It is very likely a skin infection called Furuncule.
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX
I have gone through your query / image and here is my opinion.
It is very likely a Furuncle - Head.
A furuncle is a infection that forms around a hair follicle,usually involving surrounding tissue and may contain pus.
Most common cause is a bacterium known as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).
I hope that she is not a diabetic.
Such infections are a common feature of Diabetics and even they might be resistant to treatment.
She can take a few measures like.......
Apply a warm, moist compress.
Maintain hygiene by frequent hair washing.
Avoid touching or squeezing it and wash the hands thoroughly,if at all,she touches the site.
She can take over the counter analgesics like Acetaminophen(Tynelol) or Ibuprofen for control of pain and inflammation.
Usually antibiotic ointment is applied and area is covered with sterile dressing.
Some patients may require oral antibiotics.
If the symptoms do not improve,please visit a clinician for further evaluation and management.
Hope that I have answered your query.
Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Dr AjeetMay this follow-up finds you safe and in good health! I appreciate your time and your reply! I'm glad that is all, I was thinking the absolute worst! I will be sure to get her all the she needs as quickly as possible. As for whether she is diabetic, she doesn't believe so, she had blood work done 2 months ago and she was told nothing about having diabetes but, in the event that she is how much more would the diabetes complicate things? -Also, seeing as the boil has broke, and there is now a hole is there a chance that she can get some sort of brain infection? -Can water that fall in there while taking a shower somehow cause her any brain damage? -how bad can the infection effect her? I will be sure that she calls her doctor later today to see if he can electronically send a prescription over to her pharmacy for some antibiotics. Again, thank you for your time Dr Ajeet. God bless!
Dr AjeetMay this follow-up finds you safe and in good health! I appreciate your time and your reply! I'm glad that is all, I was thinking the absolute worst! I will be sure to get her all the she needs as quickly as possible. As for whether she is diabetic, she doesn't believe so, she had blood work done 2 months ago and she was told nothing about having diabetes but, in the event that she is how much more would the diabetes complicate things? -Also, seeing as the boil has broke, and there is now a hole is there a chance that she can get some sort of brain infection? -Can water that fall in there while taking a shower somehow cause her any brain damage? -how bad can the infection effect her? I will be sure that she calls her doctor later today to see if he can electronically send a prescription over to her pharmacy for some antibiotics. Again, thank you for your time Dr Ajeet. God bless!
Brief Answer:
It is very likely a skin infection called furuncule
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Wound healing takes more time in diabetics than non diabetics as the tissues are sugar laden ,thus favouring the bacterial thriving.
Brain is covered by skull bone and a three layer covering called meninges.
The three layers are called dura,arachnoid and pia mater.
There is absolutely no risk of any spread of this superficial infection to brain.
Please do not be anxious about it.
There is hardly any serious issue or risk involved.
It would be better if she covers the area and avoid water contact while taking shower.
This would encourage wound healing.
Warm regards.
It is very likely a skin infection called furuncule
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Wound healing takes more time in diabetics than non diabetics as the tissues are sugar laden ,thus favouring the bacterial thriving.
Brain is covered by skull bone and a three layer covering called meninges.
The three layers are called dura,arachnoid and pia mater.
There is absolutely no risk of any spread of this superficial infection to brain.
Please do not be anxious about it.
There is hardly any serious issue or risk involved.
It would be better if she covers the area and avoid water contact while taking shower.
This would encourage wound healing.
Warm regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
It is very likely a skin infection called furuncule
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Wound healing takes more time in diabetics than non diabetics as the tissues are sugar laden ,thus favouring the bacterial thriving.
Brain is covered by skull bone and a three layer covering called meninges.
The three layers are called dura,arachnoid and pia mater.
There is absolutely no risk of any spread of this superficial infection to brain.
Please do not be anxious about it.
There is hardly any serious issue or risk involved.
It would be better if she covers the area and avoid water contact while taking shower.
This would encourage wound healing.
Warm regards.
It is very likely a skin infection called furuncule
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Wound healing takes more time in diabetics than non diabetics as the tissues are sugar laden ,thus favouring the bacterial thriving.
Brain is covered by skull bone and a three layer covering called meninges.
The three layers are called dura,arachnoid and pia mater.
There is absolutely no risk of any spread of this superficial infection to brain.
Please do not be anxious about it.
There is hardly any serious issue or risk involved.
It would be better if she covers the area and avoid water contact while taking shower.
This would encourage wound healing.
Warm regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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