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Suggest Treatment For Pustule On Arm

Posted on Wed, 12 Aug 2015

Question: My son has a small hole in his arm that was filled with pus

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
drainage and antibiotics are needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

what happened to his arm? Your description sounds like an abscess. If pus is coming out then complete drainage is required along with antibiotic treatment. If the cavity that contains the pus is shallow then removing the pus by applying pressure may suffice. If the cavity is larger than that, then surgical approach might be required.

You've got to visit your primary care doctor or a general surgeon to assess the lesion.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (10 minutes later)

May I send you an image

IMG_6433.jpg

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
you haven't uploaded the image...

Detailed Answer:
You've sent me the filename but not the actual file. Search for "upload" button and send the photo.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (12 minutes later)

I'm using my XXXXXXX phone, and I do not see an upload button. When I get off work I will send it through my computer.

I found it! And I have uploaded the image

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it's not helping a lot but it's probably a shallow one

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for uploading the image. It looks like a furuncle. This is usually due to an inflammed hair follicle that gets infected by Staphylococcus. If it only contained a few drops of pus then removing the pus frequently until no pus is coming out and perhaps irrigating the cavity with antiseptic solution and normal saline may help.

Unfortunately the picture is not helping a lot. It's not a bad picture but even the best picture cannot provide all the information of a real examination. Close inspection and palpation is required to determine the extent of the lesion, so you'd better visit your doctor anyway. It seems that your son is going to avoid surgical exploration of the lesion.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (15 minutes later)

I will pass that on to my wife. We had an idea it wasn't too serious. However, we will visit a doctor.

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
I agree...

Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
It doesn't look too serious, I agree with that. Visiting the doctor is a good decision.

Best Regards!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar