Seeking Guidance on Worsening Skin Infection Symptoms
I am a 28-year-old female, 5'4" tall and weighing 138 pounds. I do not smoke, consume alcohol, and I have a diagnosis of celiac disease. Currently, I am not on any medication. For several months, I've been dealing with a troublesome groin lesion that started as a benign cyst but has since become infected. It began exhibiting redness and pain around early October, prompting me to seek urgent care twice within a single month. During these visits, the medical team prescribed two different antibiotics—doxycycline and cephalexin—neither of which provided relief. I was advised to consult my general practitioner since the lesion was not draining, making it impossible for them to perform a culture. By this time, the cyst had increased in size, slightly larger than a pea. It's worth mentioning that the lesion drains intermittently; it swells, reduces in size and redness, then resurfaces. However, the internal pain has remained constant since the onset of the infection. Upon seeing my GP, she ordered a blood test and an ultrasound to investigate the possibility of an abscess, yet it revealed no such finding, though inflammation was evident, and my blood results came back normal. Consequently, she referred me to a dermatologist, but the appointment is still a month away. Given the urgency of my symptoms, I feel apprehensive about waiting for my dermatology appointment. The infected area has led to widespread fatigue, warmth in my skin, body aches, sinus issues, a metallic taste in my mouth, mild digestive troubles, and weight gain of 10 to 15 pounds that I haven’t been able to lose for several months. Recently, the pain has intensified, and I've been experiencing an overarching sense of malaise; the discomfort persists and my legs tremble when I stand. The lesion itself has grown to the size of a penny, displaying a reddish (sometimes purplish) hue and is firm and sensitive to touch. While the redness has not spread nor are there streaks, the area feels warm. I frequently experience sharp internal pains in the vicinity. Occasionally, it produces a yellowish pus, but each time I noticed this draining, I was unable to visit urgent care for a culture. At this point, I'm unsure whether to return to my GP or go back to urgent care. I'm unclear on what they could do if they can't perform a drainage for a culture. I thought it was possible to use a needle for cultures with cysts, even if they aren't actively draining, or perhaps surgically remove the cyst entirely? Please advise if my understanding is incorrect. I am genuinely worried about the potential for this condition to deteriorate, especially since I’ve been experiencing systemic symptoms for months now. Should this situation warrant an emergency room visit? I apologize if I'm overlooking something obvious, and I appreciate any advice you can offer!
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 6:10:50 AM
OpenHealth AI
I understand your concerns about the worsening skin infection and the systemic symptoms you've been experiencing. It sounds frustrating and concerning, especially given the duration of your issues and the discomfort you're feeling. Here's a structured approach to address your situation.
Key Points
- The persistent and worsening symptoms indicate that you should seek further medical evaluation sooner rather than later.
- Given that the lesion has changed and your overall symptoms have intensified, it is important to have a thorough reassessment.
- Symptoms like fatigue, body aches, and a metallic taste could suggest a more systemic issue that requires medical attention.
Explanation
Your lesion's progression from a benign cyst to a painful, inflamed area may suggest a complicated infection, possibly an abscess that hasn't been detected yet. The fact that you are experiencing systemic symptoms like fatigue and body aches raises concerns about the infection affecting your overall health. Intermittent drainage and the presence of pus further suggest that your body is trying to address an infection, but the antibiotics previously prescribed have not resolved the issue.
Cysts can sometimes be aspirated for fluid, and if there's any suspicion of infection, cultures would ideally be taken. However, if there's no drainage, surgical intervention (such as incision and drainage) might be necessary to identify the underlying issue.
Next Steps
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Visit Urgent Care or Emergency Room: Given the worsening pain, systemic symptoms, and the current state of the lesion, I strongly recommend returning to urgent care or considering an emergency room visit. Explain all your symptoms in detail, as it's essential for addressing potential systemic implications of the infection.
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Preparation for Your Visit:
- Bring any previous medical records related to your cyst and infections.
- List all symptoms, including how they have changed or worsened, along with any new symptoms (like weight gain and digestive troubles) that could help the medical team understand your overall health.
- Discuss the possibility of drainage or surgical removal of the cyst as options for further management.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in the lesion's appearance, size, drainage, and associated symptoms. If you experience increased redness, swelling, fever, chills, or difficulty standing, seek care immediately.
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Self-Care at Home: While waiting for your appointment (if you opt not to seek immediate care), keep the area clean and dry. Use warm compresses to help alleviate discomfort and promote drainage if applicable, but avoid squeezing or forcibly draining the cyst yourself.
Conclusion
Your symptoms should not be taken lightly, especially with the systemic signs you're experiencing. It’s better to err on the side of caution, so seek a medical evaluation sooner rather than waiting for your dermatology appointment. Your health and well-being are the top priority, and further exploration of these persistent issues is warranted. Let me know if there’s anything else you need!
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