Do you take antibiotics everytime an abscess appears?

[hailey108]

Hi Ladies!

I was just wondering if its really necessary to take antibiotics every time I get an abscess? I got an abscess last Saturday and on Monday my breast surgeon drained it and put me on antibiotics for 10 days. And now I have another abscess that appeared while on the antibiotics. I'm going back tomorrow to see the surgeon and know when she sees the other abscess she's gonna put me on antibiotics again. Just wondering if this is the protocol for everyone?

[fibromommyx3]

Hi, just thought I'd throw my two cents in.  In the very beginning I was on antibiotics, but my surgeon stopped putting me on them because they were of no use.  Most of these infections are sterile infections, meaning there's no bacteria.  People get scared because of the pus and think infection, but it's just the bodies way of getting rid of the cells, etc.  And I haven't been on antibiotics since then.  

Even with having abscesses open and pop, no antibiotics, but I do keep a huge eye out for secondary infections after they pop and while they are healing.  From having a daughter who was on antibiotics for several years and knowing the affect on her body, I don't think it's good for our bodies unless we know there is a positive infection going on.  So watch your bodies and have your doctors send them out for cultures.  Know the signs of infection for when your abscesses do pop so you can take care of yourself.

[hailey108]

Thank You Ladies for the feedback. The breast surgeon drained the second abscess and told me just to finish the antibiotics I was taking. No need for a second round. And as for the cultures, she always sends the fluid she drains but nothing ever grows.

[ruostentatious]

I'd definitely stay on the antibiotics - more so to prevent any secondary infection.

I'm on continual antibiotics - doesn't matter if there's a flare up or not - I'm positive it's because when my GM flares up, it leaves open holes in the skin (sometimes that go deep into tissue) so it's to prevent any infection while it's open. And since there's no real telling of when a flare up is going to happen, I stay constantly on them...

[JoJo45]

Hi Hailey -

yes, I would be put on antiobitics each time I had an abcess, unless as you have mentioned in your case, I had just been through a course...in which case their action won't be increased by exending them

Jo

[Mum2006]

Hi,
    I was put on antibiotics intially when I first got to see this large abscess before IGM was diagnosed to see if it helps. But since these have always been sterile abscess for me antibiotics didnt help. My surgeon said there was no use of taking the antibiotics unless there was an infection. But yeah if you may have an open wound she may put you on them to avoid secondary infection as Pandora and Red mentioned.
    I basically tried to keep the abscess clean after it was drained at the Surgeon's office. But yeah do get the cultures done on the drained fluid to check for infection.

[Pandora1962]

She may not. Your first anti-biotic shoud still be covering you. Ask her about her reasoning behind the anti-biotic. If it is to combat the abcesses...ask her to send the fluid in for cultures to see if they are sterile or if they grow. If it is to protect you from secondary infection as the result of a needle compromising your system...you should still be covered.

I two abcesses drained last Tuesday. She did not push the anti-biotic...and is letting me make that call. Now, one abcess is fine, but the other one is getting a red skin rash around it. AND I am feeling a new one about an inch or so closer to my arm pit. I have been active a sweating...so I am waiting to see. I may have to go back on an anti-biotic though.

[Red11483]

In my experience we tried several types of antibiotics and like you I developed abscess even while on them. I had my most recent draining just over a week ago and my breast specialist suggested we try not doing antibiotics this time and see how I do. I think its been the same as far as healing and after being on antibiotics almost constantly for the last 3 months I am glad to  be off of them. I think generally its protocol to do them to prevent further infection though so it sounds normal to me.