Persistent Pus Despite Multiple Antibiotic Courses?
Age: 26, Female. I’m dealing with a pilonidal cyst that seems relentless in producing pus. My treatment began with Bactrim DS on December 3rd. After culturing the infection, the results on December 10th indicated the necessity for Augmentin, which I subsequently started. Throughout this entire period, pus has been continuously draining, even prior to beginning the Bactrim treatment. The cyst ruptured on November 30th, and I consulted a dermatologist on December 3rd, during which they performed a minor incision to clean the area. I’m quite concerned that, even after all this time, there’s still a significant amount of purulent discharge. The initial antibiotic course was only for 10 days, although I was given a 14-day regimen of Bactrim.
Answers (1)
12/14/2025, 3:50:31 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about the ongoing pus drainage from your pilonidal cyst, especially after multiple courses of antibiotics. Persistent drainage can indicate that the infection is not fully resolved, even after treatment.
Explanation: A pilonidal cyst can be stubborn, particularly if there is an underlying infection or if the cyst is not fully drained. Antibiotics can help manage infection, but if the cyst is still producing pus, it may mean that there is leftover infected tissue or debris that needs to be addressed. Since you have already tried two different antibiotics without improvement, it is important to consider other solutions.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on the amount and color of the pus. If there is increased redness, swelling, or you develop a fever, it may indicate worsening infection.
-
Maintain Cleanliness: Continue to keep the area clean and dry. Use mild soap and avoid any irritants that may aggravate the cyst.
-
Consider Warm Compresses: Applying warm compresses to the area several times a day can help promote drainage and relieve discomfort.
-
Evaluate for Further Intervention: If pus continues to drain after your current antibiotics are done, and symptoms do not improve, it may be necessary to discuss options for drainage or surgical intervention with a healthcare provider who specializes in this field. Consider a follow-up appointment to discuss persistent symptoms, as further procedures may be necessary to address the cyst adequately.
-
Document Everything: Keep a symptom diary noting any changes in the discharge, pain levels, or new symptoms, which can assist any healthcare provider in understanding your progress.
Staying proactive about monitoring your situation is crucial. If you notice no improvement in the next week after finishing antibiotics, reaching out to a healthcare provider for further assessment will be important to resolve this issue effectively.
Related Questions
Is It Typical to Skip Physical Exams for Joint Issues?
Age: 22 years Weight: 76-77 kg Height: Over 5' 11" No current history of smoking or alcohol consumption Gender: Male For the last few years, I have experienced symptoms such as impingement, clicking, popping, grinding, and instability accompanied by pain in both my shoulders, knees, and elbows. These issues began in 2019. Recently, I consulted with two medical professionals here in India. They reviewed my MRI reports and recommended vitamin D supplements to address my severe deficiency, along with a couple of other medications for slightly elevated uric acid levels. Fortunately, all other blood tests returned normal results. The findings from the MRI were as follows: **Right Shoulder MRI:** - Decreased subacromial space - Supraspinatus tendinosis - Subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis **Left Shoulder MRI:** - Decreased subacromial space - Supraspinatus tendinosis **Right Knee MRI:** - Minor fluid accumulation in the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa - Likely rupture of Baker’s cyst Tests conducted to check for autoimmune disorders returned negative results, and the consensus is that my injuries are likely sports-related, accruing over time. However, I am uncertain if it’s standard practice not to undergo a physical examination for these conditions or if I simply haven’t located the right healthcare providers. The initial doctor did refer me to a physiotherapist, but I did not adhere to his recommendations, as he failed to communicate or explain anything effectively, nor did he conduct a physical assessment. Meanwhile, the second doctor prescribed medication and mentioned a follow-up appointment in a few days to discuss my bloodwork, primarily aimed at normalizing my vitamin D and slightly reducing my uric acid. For various reasons, I did not pursue his prescribed treatment. Now, I find myself in a dilemma about whether my expectations are misguided — should I expect to receive a physical evaluation as part of my treatment, or am I simply consulting with unsuitable doctors? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Persistent Lump on Arm for Over Two Decades
Greetings, I’m seeking guidance regarding a lump on my arm that has been present for more than twenty years. The size is comparable to a dime, and it has a noticeable bulge rather than being flat. The overall texture is quite solid, though there is a white section within that feels extremely hard, similar to a tooth. At times, it forms a scab, which occasionally falls off. However, it does not cause me any pain or discomfort. This lump is situated on the outer part of my left bicep. Thank you for any insights you can provide.
Misdiagnosed While Travelling: My Experience with a Skin Condition in Vietnam
About three weeks ago, I embarked on the Ha Giang loop in Vietnam, where I noticed a rash forming on the lower part of my buttocks, which I initially dismissed as a friction-related issue. However, two weeks later, I began to experience persistent bite marks on my feet. Disturbed by the situation, I visited a local pharmacy, where they took photographs of my rash and bites. The pharmacist then consulted with a doctor who diagnosed me with scabies. Having already taken my second dose of ivermectin, I noticed that the bite marks have evolved into strange-looking hives. My research indicates that post-scabies rashes can be common, yet these hives appear unusual. I've seen images of scabies, and what I'm experiencing doesn’t match. I'll provide pictures showing the progression from the initial bite marks to what they look like now, along with an image of the rash on my buttocks. Additionally, I've been dealing with diarrhea for the last two days, which I suspect is linked to alcohol consumption. Thankfully, I haven't exhibited a fever or other concerning symptoms; I feel relatively fine overall, but the itching has intensified considerably, leading to concerns. As a healthy 25-year-old woman from Scotland, I've never encountered any significant health or skin issues. I have no known allergies and am not taking any prescribed medications. Alongside the ivermectin, I have been instructed to use sebosan’s permethrin spray on myself twice daily. Thank you for reading my experience.
Urethral Injury: Seeking Advice
Here's the situation: Yesterday, I decided to experiment with sounding for the first time, using a candy cane (yes, I realize how strange that sounds). I've done some reading on the topic, and thought it might be fun to give it a try, despite my poor choice of object (definitely not advisable for a first attempt). I gently inserted it after waiting for some pre-cum to serve as lubrication. Initially, there was no issue; it actually felt enjoyable, despite some discomfort, which I couldn't tell if it was due to the peppermint flavoring or just the novelty of the experience. As I gradually became more at ease, I began to move it around. But when I reached climax, I noticed a small amount of blood, which understandably freaked me out. Fast forward to today, I woke up feeling the urge to urinate, and when I did, it stung intensely, almost like I was passing a kidney stone. Now, I'm in a bit of a bind and could really use some guidance because I urgently need to relieve myself. I'd rather avoid a doctor's visit if possible and would prefer to handle it at home, preferably letting it heal naturally. If there are any over-the-counter remedies you could recommend, I'd appreciate suggestions for anything that costs under $15. As for a bit of background: I’m a male (not quite of age yet), with a length of 5.5 inches, and from Southeast Asia. I suspect the bleeding is coming from near the tip of my urethra, as that area is quite painful, though there might be some discomfort further down as well. (P.S. I recognize that this was not the best idea, but please don’t be too harsh.)
Concerns about Vertebral Artery Dissection Symptoms
A 30-year-old female with a history of right vertebral artery dissection and transient ischemic attack following a car accident about a year ago has been experiencing some troubling symptoms. She is currently on a regimen that includes aspirin, although she often forgets to take the medication. A computerized tomography angiography (CTA) performed six months prior indicated that the dissection remains unchanged; however, her neurologist mentioned that this is likely the typical appearance, suggesting that healing may not occur. Recently, over the past few days, she has been noticing a dull pain on the right side of her neck. Initially, she attributed it to her sleeping position, but the discomfort has persisted and intensifies during head movement. This sensation resembles the pain she experienced during her previous vertebral artery dissection episode. Additionally, she’s also suffering from a mild headache at the base of her skull, rated around 2-3 out of 10 in terms of severity. She feels a peculiar dullness on the right side of her face compared to the left, though there are no symptoms like tingling or drooping, and she is not experiencing any vertigo. She is seeking advice about whether these symptoms might be linked to her prior dissection and is uncertain about where to seek medical attention. Should she wait until after the weekend to contact her neurologist, or would it be more appropriate to visit urgent care or an emergency room? Ideally, she would prefer to avoid an emergency department visit if possible.