Sore spot/blister in belly crease

'morning Coolgran
Gosh, that looks sore.
I'd slather it with Sudacrem; email your surgery today, with that photo attached; and ring them first thing.
I reckon that you need antibiotics.

I’m not seeing the photo clearly on my phone Coolgran65 but wondering if it could be shingles? Maybe you should persist in trying to get through to your GP in the morning or even phone the out of hours number for advice. You might be prescribed a short course of anti viral medication if it is shingles.

The picture isn’t very clear email your doctor and ask for a video call

A friend had something very similar for over a week on her back and asked me to put antihistamine cream on as she thought it was a bite of some sorts.

Turned out to be shingles. As others have said send a photo to the GP.

Skin folds that are warm and possibly moist are prone to Candida infections. To differentiate between this and anything else e.g. shingles you need a clinician to look at it as the treatment is very different. You're pharmacist can advise. If it is Candida supreme will add to the warm moist conditions.

Sudocreme!

It needs a doctor’s diagnosis I think Coolgran.
If you’ve not e-mailed the surgery before, persist with ringing them tomorrow, even though your call will probably be placed in a queue.
Ask if you can e mail the surgery with a photo attached and once you have the e mail address you can keep it for future use. It seems to be the way Surgeries are working right now.
Try and get a closer photograph to send to enable Doctor to see the affected skin clearly.
I’m sure once a doctor has looked at it he/she will give you a ring back and talk to you about diagnosis/medication.
Good Luck, it does look sore and in an inaccessible place too!

I’m not sure it’s the same, but I’ve had a couple of similar things along my C section scar area, starts like a massive blister, and takes ages to clear up completely and I have to keep it covered, I haven’t been to the doctor, but may do if it keeps happening.

As mentioned it is in a really inaccessible place.
Shingles has been mentioned but there’s no nerve pain, just tender.
My dil is a nurse and will be here today. I will ask her opinion. ‘Skin’ is not her department but she will have an idea.
Reckon I’ll be on the phone to the health centre tomorrow. Monday is the worst day to try and get through and there’s only a 90 minute window for appointments but I’ll be on redial.
Thank you everyone.

Good luck Coolgran65. Come back and let us know how you get on.

Sara1954

I’m not sure it’s the same, but I’ve had a couple of similar things along my C section scar area, starts like a massive blister, and takes ages to clear up completely and I have to keep it covered, I haven’t been to the doctor, but may do if it keeps happening.

Exactly the same along c section scar. It gets red very red and itchy.
Sudocreme.

sweaty bit ? Wash, dry carefully then apply Sudocrem or Canesten . No scratching ! x

Just to say, it’s not itchy and there is no rash. I do know what that’s like as I’ve had it occasionally under my breasts but now use medicated powder and haven’t had the sweaty rash for a few years. I do also use the medicated powder in the belly crease just in case but not since this inflamed lump has appeared.

Could it be the start of Bullous pemphigoid? It is rare but not that uncommon in older people.

My nurse dil has checked me out and says it’s definitely an abscess. She sterilised a pin and made a hole to drain, with some (agonising) pressure out came pus and blood. At the other end it was much more firm and difficult to get the pin to make a hole. So that bit is not drained. While dil was doing this I was in agony. She was apologising for hurting me and I’m gasping... ‘keep going, it doesn’t matter just keep going.’
She advises I need an antibiotic so that’s me on redial from 9am tomorrow.

Also I should go to the pharmacy and get sticky edged iodine dressings which will draw out the pus. I should cut off the bottom end so it does not catch on any body hair.

I’ll let you know how it goes. Thank you all for taking the time to respond.

Send the photo to your surgery in an email. Ring them up and tell them you have sent the photo and that you want an urgent appointment with your Dr to discuss

Sorry just seen your update. Good luck

Talk about frustration trying to get GP appointment. So far I have dialled 51 times and always engaged. There is only a 90 minute window for getting appointments.

Good grief! Your surgery does sound awful.
Hope that you get through soon

I hope you can get to see a dermatologist as these sort of skin eruptions have a habit of returning. Hope you get sorted soon.

Waayhaaay.... I got through on call number 59 and will receive a call back.

I’ll talk with GP today.

EllanVannin mentioned a Dermatologist. A Dermatologist would require a referral from GP and I guess if a returning abscess became an issue I would request a referral.
I can’t imagine how long that waiting list would be.

Once over 65 private health care became too expensive for us so it had to go.

Recently my husband and I each required referrals to a consultant for treatment .......
Husband....
gall bladder- operation to remove required - waiting list 3 years.
Hernia- waiting list 4 years. He then went private and had his op in two weeks.

Me .....
Referred to neurologist, waited a year and then went privately for consultation and tests.
The Neurologist Further referred me to Sleep Consultant, 3 year waiting so went privately for consultation and tests. Tests showed the required treatment but continuous private treatment was too expensive so referred over to NHS 3 year waiting list.

In our 70s we would expect medical issues to present themselves.
We are fortunate enough to manage to pay for the occasional consultation for diagnosis but not for follow up treatment.

To see a Dermatologist I’d just go on an NHS list.

Wondering if it might be a cyst rather than abscess. I have had both. Glad you have a call back today.

Doctor asked me to go see him at 2pm. He tried to express some contents without success and didn’t want to lance it for fear of infection and me being diabetic. There are 4 heads !! I’m home with an antibiotic and some dressings. May need a second week of antibiotic.
Thank you all so much for your comments and support.

silverlining48

Wondering if it might be a cyst rather than abscess. I have had both. Glad you have a call back today.

I had something similar at the end of an underarm scar; I did seek medical advice and had antibiotics and a hospital referral but it was a cyst, thankfully.