I know why it isn't sensible to pick spots. I really do but when faced with a large and painful cystic spot it can be hard to do the right thing. The particular spot in question was just to side of my eyebrow. I put treatments on it but couldn't resist a fiddle. I soon regretted it when I woke up to a swollen face!
Initially, I hoped it was just fluid that would drain away. It looked a bit like an extreme version of puffy morning eyes. When it didn't disappear after a couple of hours, I knew I was deluding myself and that I had actually forced the infection from the spot down in to the tear duct and racing around my face. I rang the doctors, got an appointment with the nurse and when the she brought in the doctor, I had to answer yes to the "have you been picking" question. Not my finest moment!
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| I really do look like I've been boxing in this one! |
I was given a course of antibiotics and promised not to do it again (which met with some titters). It actually took a while for the antibiotics to rein in the infection and my face had swollen down to my jaw before they caught up. I'm pleased to report that they sorted it out within a couple of days and my face is completely back to normal now. It probably took longer to recover from the embarrassment of doing the school run looking like I'd had a bout in the ring!!
I share these pictures not to make you feel ill but to remind you the next time that you consider fiddling that it might not be such a good idea. Picking spots is bad, m'kay?
We're all guilty from time to time, but oh, Jane! You learned your lesson the hard way,poor you! I feel like making my sister (who picks at her face nightly!!!!) read this to scare her straight! LOL
ReplyDeleteThat happened to one of my friends! She was just watching tv, then she decided to pick at it. Hers was far much worse and she had to go to hospital and ended up having a week off because her face was so swollen :/ To think, all this because of a spot! Truly ridiculous! :D
ReplyDelete-Aimee-x
ouch! that looks so sore, not quite comparable but I have one of my leg that I couldn't resist giving a squeeze now one leg is huuuuuge and bloody sore!! When will we learn?? Hope you're all better now xxx
ReplyDelete@HDTM: Yes, you should definitely show her. It pays not to fiddle!
ReplyDelete@Aimee: Your poor friend. Depending on the area it spreads to it can be quite serious. Often the infection will contain Staph bacteria and whilst it won't do harm contained as the spot, it will do if you send it in to other tissues. Has your friend learned not to pick now? It's hard to resist, even when you know better!
@Toni: I would really recommend getting that checked out. If it swollen and inflamed, it could be cellulitis. I don't mean to sound alarmist but it can be serious if left unchecked. I hope you're ok lovely xx
Argh I'd heard about how picking spots can cause infections to spread much further out across the face but I thought it was an old wives' tale!! Oh man, I'm going to be much more careful about spot picking now. Glad you've recovered now!
ReplyDeleteAre you dealing with this on vacation?? SO not fair! :(
ReplyDelete@Beauty Scribbler: No, it's definitely not a myth. I knew that it was best to leave it alone yet fiddled anyone. I won't forget how embarrassing that trip to the doctors was anytime soon!!
ReplyDelete@Zuzu's Petals: Sorry, I forget not everyone read the episode on Twitter. It's all gone and totally healed now. I just had to feel brave enough to post those pictures. I most certainly will NOT be repeating this on holiday ;). I'm getting the car packed up at the moment. Ready for the off in the morning.
Jane x
I always do this, it's only a matter of time before it happens to me! Must. Resist. Temptation
ReplyDeleteI didn't know it was possible to move the infection to another area with pressure but makes sense now you say it. Well Jane, we must be cystic twins as I am currently sporting one on my cheek, and yes I have messed with it and yes its more painful and looks worse now and no I can't say that I won't try messing with it again ... xx
ReplyDeleteOuch...Sounds so painful. I am horrendously guilty of prodding, poking and squeezing and always regret it. The scars last a lot longer...
ReplyDeleteThis story has certainly inspired me to be a little more gentle though and avoid the temptation to pick. Will be easier said than done though with me.
Glad to hear everything is better now though hun xxx
Oh no! I'm guilty of fiddling as well, but this is a very good reason to stop! This never happened to me, I think the worst was that I inflicted some scars on myself. Glad it's back to normal now!
ReplyDeleteO no! This may have actually scared me away from picking. That is absolutely terrible!
ReplyDeleteI am exactly the same and its only by luck not judgement that I haven't ended up with similar, although that said the "travelling nose boil" I had a few months ago may actually have been the exact same thing. Gad, warning headed! xx
ReplyDeletePoor you! I've done this before but it was never as fierce as yours! Ouch! xx
ReplyDeleteO __ O That has honestly yet to happen to me. I didn't even know that was POSSIBLE. ...Scary!
ReplyDeleteI am also guilty with picking spots, especially when I got bored (I know quite a silly reason). I am glad you are doing okay now.
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Oh dear- Im such a bad picker I really need to force myself not too- I gave myself impetigo on a spot i'd picked once. Not good- weepy crusty scab crawling across my chin!! Infected tear duct sounds awfully painful!
ReplyDeleteSorry for my slow reply. Thanks for all of your comments. I've had a couple more cystic spots pop up (no idea why it's been happening) and I've resisted the urge to fiddle. It's definitely put me off!
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