abcess on buttocks

kimmer · Newbie Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 22

Hello. My brother has developed one very delicate and unpleasant condition. You see, he was complaining about a week ago on localized pain on his left buttock while sitting, although he hasn’t any other visible symptoms.
Then, one day, on the mirror, he has noticed that he has some big red and very painful bump on his left buttock. We have talked with his GP which told us that he has developed some condition called buttock abscess. He also prescribed him some antibiotics and scheduled him in three days with some surgeon. What he could expect from this visit? Is this condition serious or what?

rhea · Silver Member Joined: 21 Oct 2000 Posts: 269

I must tell you that I exactly know how unpleasant this condition is because I have developed it few years back.
What can I say about it? An abscess is painful collection of pus under the skin. In most cases it may grow from simple pimple but it can also occur after insect bite.
Problem is that this pus is filled with bacteria; especially with Staphylococcus aureus and that this pus collection must be removed. Antibiotics may be prescribed but the most effective treatment is surgical incision and drainage. This will result in immediate pain relief and rapid resolution of the inflammation. Anyway, this isn’t so serious condition!

heathrow · Newbie Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 1

i have firsthand experience with this. i have an abcess on my left inner butt cheek - a terrible location - that gets inflamed about 2 times a year. i have gone to at least 3 doctors and the prognosis has varied a bit but treatment is typically the same: They lance it, drain it, and let it heal from the inside out by putting in a surgical wick that facilitates ongoing draining while the (lance) wound heals. Because I do have times where it gets inflamed, heals, then inflamed again - i have gotten accustomed to doing the lancing and draining myself. I wouldnt do such a medical procedure but b/c the abcess can fill with puss and become SUPER painful (difficult to sit, drive, and walk), i often resort to my own efforts. As the previous comment says, its not a serious issue and most of the doctors i have seen echo that sentiment. Only one doctor offered an option for "permanent" relief. He said that there is probably a space in that area that is acting like a channel where bacteria collects and eventually becomes inflamed. His suggestion was to do surgery to clean out the area and eliminate the "channel" - he used some other non-scientific word that i dont recall but the concept is the same. Im very embarrassed about this and no one knows about it. It is really a problem for me when it gets inflamed as it has swollen to what seems like an egg just under the skin and my mood becomes very irritated until it it drains. Sometimes the abcess will peak and a slight pressure will send a lot of puss rushing out. Its disgusting and makes me feel very dirty.

abcess on buttocks

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