The Abscess

About a week ago, I discovered this little bump on my leg (thigh region). I assumed it was an ingrown hair, because, well... it looked like one! Throughout the week, it kept getting worse, bigger, more swollen, and hard all around it. I got scared. Was it infected, or worse, a spider bite? So yesterday morning, I went to the PrimeCare clinic here in Searcy. The doctor there took a look, felt it, and said "This is what we call an abscess." A wha-what?

According to emedicinehealth.com:

"An abscess is a localized collection of pus that generally develops in response to infection. An abscess is typically painful, and it appears as a swollen area that is warm to the touch. The skin surrounding an abscess typically appears pink or red. Inflammation surrounding hair follicles can lead to the formation of abscesses. Skin abscesses are often referred to as boils."

So I had a boil, essentially, infected with staph. She numbed it with a gigantic needle, sliced around it with a scalpel, and drained it. Not being dramatic, it was one of the most painful things I've ever experienced. She gave me 2 antibiotics and hydrocodone for the pain (yes it really is that bad). I had to go back in today to get the dressing on my wound changed, and I'll go back tomorrow, hopefully for the last time. Honestly, the changing the dressing was almost worse than the first visit where the abscess was actually removed.

So I'm in my bed, doped up on hydrocodone, watching Sex and the City and sleeping for hours on end. Just thought I'd update everyone on my latest adventure. If you wanna call it that.