12 replies to this topic

[missx555]

I started to develop a rather big pimple on chin yesterday, which was nothing new since I have had a bunch of huge zits on my chin lately. Anyways, I poked at it a little and just left it alone. This morning I woke up with my chin all swollen, and the pimple just looked terrible. I feel the inside of my gums swollen, and I can definately see it swollen about an inch around the red part. What is it. Is it a cyst? Is it infected, what do I do? It really hurts.

[Eyevan]

Either get a cortisone shot or ice it about 3-4 times a day.

[missx555]

So it sounds like a cyst? I thought I was supposed to put hot water on them?

[cloudy]

Take an Advil and try an icepack on your chin (a couple of ice cubes in a ziplock bag, wrapped in a clean, thin napkin/hanky/towel). Keep the ice on it long enough so the skin feels cold but not long enough to give yourself a frostbite. Repeat several times. That might take the swelling down and help with the inflammation.

My daughter woke up last Saturday morning (the morning of her senior prom) with a seriously swollen cheek thanks to unsuccessful acne self-surgery (she tried to get a blackhead out) the night before. Ice and aspirin brought the swelling down by the night: you can't even tell it's there in the photos. An aspirin a day and warm Epsom salt compresses got rid of the remaining redness and swelling by Tuesday. (Don't take aspirin if you are a teenager!)

This is the first time I tried either icing, aspirin or Epsom salts. I found all these emergency zit measures last Saturday morning. Fortunately they all worked.

I hope they work for you too! However, if the swelling/pain spreads and/or you start running a fever, you might want to check with a doctor ASAP.

[missx555]

Thank you for the responses. ok I put an ice pak on it, and it didn't notice a difference. It just feels weird now. I just need someone to tell what it is? The size of the swollen part is what has me all bent out of shape.

[cloudy]

Ummmm...it's an inflammation/infection of some sort. What exactly you'd call it at this point I'm not sure--especially based on just an internet description.
How big is the swollen part? Like an egg?

BTW, are you an adult or a kid?

[missx555]

I am an adult female, and I dont have a history of acne, just lately and I blame stress. The swollen part is about an inch and a half wide. It actually looks a little yellow in the swollen part. The red part looks like an infected pimple. BTW the swollen part hurts to the touch like a pimple. I tried the ice and I think it helped a little, I will keep putting ice on it.

[cloudy]

Okay, good.
Sounds like a mightily annoyed cyst to me. Take Advil, see if ice or heat feels better. Ice will take the inflammation down--heat might bring the cyst to a head.
Epsom salt compresses might speed it up.

Cysts can sometimes get real deep, large and painful and really inflame the surrounding tissue--and the surrounding follicles--especially after acne self-surgery. A dermatologist could inject it with cortisone (except few work on Friday nights :-) some apparently freeze them out with dry ice (cryotherapy).

Like I said above, if the redness/swelling spreads and you start feeling generally unwell or develop a fever, you should show it to a doc. You might need antibiotics to clear it.

[missx555]

Thanks Cloudy for your prompt response. It was the size of the inflammed tissue that what was worrying me. It looks like an extra chin. I called my GP and they made an appointment till monday, then all she would do is refer me to a dermatologist, and there are no dermatologists that accept my insurance where I live, so I would end up back here anyway. You say to drink an advil, is that for the inflammation or pain. The only thing I have right now is tylenol.

[cloudy]

Advil or aspirin are painrelievers AND help fight inflammation. Tylenol relieves pain too but doesn't help against the inflammation.

Getting late here. Good night.

[Jodie]

You might try a baking soda treatement. I use it for bug bites, or anything like a swollen sore because it draws out the infection and swelling. It does what the old "drawing salves" used to do. My cousin had a huge boil on her back and I put the treatment on it and after a few times it was gone.

Just take a teaspoon of baking soda, put enough water in to make a paste (it won't take much, just a few drops). Pile it on the zit (I suppose you'll need to lie down if it's on your chin) and let it sit for at least and hour. If you can mange to pack it on, let dry, than cover with a band-aid so it can work longer, that would be good too. I'd try it twice a day if I were you.

[cloudy]

How does it look today?

[missx555]

well Cloudy the swelling went way down. It just hurts now. I will make sure to try everything, and hopefully there wont be much scarring. I am a nervous person, and it was freaking me out, I feel alot better now.