abscess on a 7mo tushie

[marinak1977]

I'm wondering if anyone has experienced something like this. My DS has had a persistent rash around his anus since he was born. I admit I haven't really tried a full elimination diet but I did reduce dairy and the irritation softened somewhat. About 2 weeks ago he got a swollen red bump near his anus and I thought it was a hemorroid. It got smaller, and appeared to not bother him so I was waiting to see if it went away. Well, today it ruptured and drained a copious amount of pus. I think I need to have my pediatrician look at it. Has anyone experienced something like this with their babe? I would've taken DS in earlier but he didn't seem to be bothered, and I assumed that if it was a hemorroid nothing could be done. I feel bad for DS, but he is quite cheerful.

[sugarpop]

I have taken DD to Dr for a rash...and glad I did. She had a yeast infection and I was treating it wrong, used the right treatment and it was gone in days. She acted fine the whole time...but babes are a bit resillant and well some parents circ. the boys and see no indication of pain.......so I say if it looks like it would bother me...then get help!

Anyhow, I would go/call the dr. and get a solution, I am glad he is doing ok!

[Llyra]

I would probably want to get something like that swabbed and cultured, mostly because sometimes staph infections can look like that.

[marinak1977]

Thanks everyone for the replies - we have a ped appointment in the morning, it looks like it's healing but I do want it looked at/swabbed. Hoping that it's not going to require abx. : while there are certain situations in which they are needed I really don't like the effect they have on the rest of the body.
I will update after the appt.

[P.J.]

I hope your appt goes well and it's not a big deal and the doc can help you get it cleared up once and for all.

A little unsolicited advice, if you get this before the doctor's:

I would try putting him at the breast if there needs to be any further drainage or anything potentially painful done to him. That way he can be soothed while it's done. My friend's baby had to have a growth cut off his ear at 2 weeks and she nursed him while he got the novacaine shot and had the procedure done, and he didn't flinch or cry or even seem to notice. Good luck!

[marinak1977]

update

well, the pediatrician looked at it (she is a naturopath and is awesome) and we're going to treat it conservatively - it's a small infected spot, doesn't seem to bother him, so we're doing a course of probiotics, epsom salt baths, and lots of air, and keeping a very close eye on it. Yay! DS had a blast at the peds as always.

P.J. thanks for the advice, I pretty much always nurse him through anything unpleasant (like vaxs) and it works really well for him. Some shots he didn't even notice. Luckily we're done with shots for a while.