Worried about boil/staph infection

[mrey86]

I noticed 2 weeks ago a small pimple like growth near to my armpit but not actually in the armpit itself. I ignored it at first because i thought nothing of it and that it would heal on it's own. After the first week however the pimple had swollen into a boil about the size of a marble. It's painful to touch and i have a low grade fever.

I went to the doctor and he prescribed me a penicillin called amoxiclav. I've only been using it two days but i am extremely worried as i perhaps made the mistake of googling "staph infections" and seeing that penicillin only works in 10% of cases and how many suffer for a long time battling staph. Which is worrying because i am meant to be going traveling in 10 days.

I also saw pictures of where staph has been flesh eating (googled "kevin randleman staph infection").

I'm very worried and although the doctor here has told me it is likely to heal within a fortnight i feel i need a second opinion for reassurance.

Thanks

Matt

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Welcome to the Dermatology Expert Forum!

It sounds like you have developed Furunculus. It is a bacterial infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

For optimal efficiency of the treatment, it is recommended to do a culture to confirm the causative bacterial strain and its sensitivity (or resistance) to different antibiotics (antibiogram). Such approach will enable a physician to prescribe optimal therapy.

Wishing You Optimal Health,
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic

[mrey86]

UPDATE: I now have a much smaller boil in the root of one of my pubic hairs

[mrey86]

UPDATE: The boil is now down considerably. I have chest pains though although my low fever feels better. Could it be the infection has spread to lungs? :(

very worried

[mrey86]

UPDATE: yesterday i noticed the boil has started to weep and is now considerably smaller now that the pus is starting to seep out. Is this a good thing?