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Picking Scabs
White Stretchy Plugs
I've always squeezed bumps and blemishes on my skin, but recently I've gone through a period of work-related stress. I was off work for 2 months, during which time my picking and squeezing got worse. I had lots of blemishes on my chest which I squeezed and picked until I had a few nasty little wounds. One of them became quite deep, and I discovered that when I picked the scab off there were a few little white pinhead shapes under it, in the wound. They were screaming out to me to be picked out, but I couldn't do it by hand - I had to use tweezers. Sometimes I found I would need a wool needle to ease the white thing out a bit before the tweezers could get hold of them. When I pulled, a white elasticy thing would stretch and then come out. It was about 2mm long. It was VERY satisfying to pull it out, so I looked for some more in my skin. This made my picking worse, and I now find I am thinking of it quite a lot of the day. I am longing to pull more stretchy white things out of my skin. I put up with quite a bit of discomfort and pain just to get the satisfaction of pulling out these stretchy white plugs. To heal my wounds I use Savlon antiseptic liquid, and they begin to dry up quite quickly. But this is the most tempting time to pick - the scab becomes very crusty and itchy, and I see little white bumps underneath which could be those white plugs I long to pull out. They are itchy and I am dying to pull them out!
Gillco - I got cold sores for a few years as a kid...maybe 1st-3rd grade. I'm almost 30 now. The ones I use to have as a kid were pretty standard cold sores that people are use to seeing - on/near the mouth. Have not (knock on wood) had that typical cold sore since, just the chin sores that usually reoccur in the same spot. The majority of the white spots you can see are good old white heads that are prone to my face on the chin. Its my overall problem area. The plugs tend to colonize in the one bump that ruptures to reveal the little monsters.
Thanks GillCo. I didn't separate the last line :-/
PlugPlague...wow., impressive healing. Regarding the rest of your chin, have you tried salicylic acid?
Yah man - PlugPlague - your wound is in the exact same spot as mine! You really are healing nicely. I was able to access a Telehealth centre here in Ontario. I have an appointment in a few hours. I will request a scipt for valacyclovir. Will let you know how I make out. Thanks
Ha Ha - nothing. The doctor needs a picture in order to justify a prescription. Guess I didn't read the fine print. I asked if I could set up another appointment today but I'm not going to bother. I have lost all faith in the medical community. "It is the lack of faith that make people afraid of meeting challenges. I believe in myself." Muhammad Ali
I get cold sores once or twice every 5 years. I guess we cant rule out it could be some form of HSV. I've heard of babies getting it on their faces from kisses. If the meds work they work. It's still going to be frustrating to get meds and a proper diagnoses from drs.
Some guy, maybe use an old pic?
Some guy - maybe try a walk-in clinic or urgent care. You may also be able have a virtual appointment (Depending on insurance and/or funds) and have a script written. Last option, maybe try to find some generic over the counter version, or at least a topical for the time being and hope it helps.
Thanks everyone! My better half was able to get an appointment for me with my family doctor October 7th. I am very curious PlugPlague if you are still improving? With this knowledge, I can ask for the prescription for Valtrex. Been having a good couple of days.
Still improving folks, figures, just as I'm about to see my doctor. I have no idea why I'm healing. Not complaining. I'll see what he has to say and let you know. Have a good day :-)
Still improving and I'd say healed here with minimal scarring/discoloration. Thats how it always is huh, once you're feeling better is when they make time for you to be seen. Good luck tomorrow! Hoping for some results for you.
Very good news PlugPlague. Very good news indeed. All of us here know how difficult this infection is. So happy to hear from you and that you can declare you are healed. Perhaps you have found a treatment for all of us. Ha Ha! Valtrex it is! Thank you so much PlugPlague.
Hey, id say its worth a shot. Taking an antiviral certainly won't make it worse and it better than just letting this lesion wreak havoc and control our lives. What's the word from your appointment? Did you get a script written? Any potential diagnosis?
Hello PlugPlague. Yes - my doctor did prescribe Valtrex for me. I had printed out and showed him what your doctor had prescribed for you and have the exact same prescription. 84 pills over one month. One week of six pills a day. I am 4 pills into it and the change is truly remarkable! Incredible! No more burning sensation. I did not want to mention this but I was having another area beginning to act up. My doctor said that he never would have guessed a herpes cause. He said he has seen hundreds of herpes cases and nothing resembles what I have. He said "If this works, I'll eat my shirt." Ha Ha I have a visit with him November 3rd. Think I will bake him a cake in the shape of a shirt. Oh my PlugPlague - I haven't felt this good in so many years but it is too early yet. Our Thanksgiving weekend up here in Canada. I will return on the 13th and let you know the progress or lack of. I am way too excited!!!!! :-)
Wow...hope this is the magic for you. Seems more than bacterial or fungal since those meds haven't helped. Happy Thanksgiving...enjoy the celebration, stay safe! I'm looking forward to pumpkin pie :-)
Definitely do the shirt shaped cake...seems on the right track already.
Agreed snipzie, pumpkin pie is a good thing! Day 6 of my treatment. The area I have had troubles with is doing very well. Still healing nicely. The second area that started however is not doing as good. The same burning pain. It will be interesting to see how this goes. Still plenty of time for the medication to kick in as it may take up to ten days to start working. Really hoping to find something that works for us. Next time I am on the "mothership", I'll see what they recommend - lol. You guys be good
Yah man - I'm still alive! If I had to use one word to say today, it is "Improving". Main wound, well, my coworkers are saying it looks better. The secondary wound is feeling much better today. Perhaps? :-)
Two words to describe my condition this morning - "Still Improving". The "wound" is completely healed over with the scarring making me look like Al Pacino ha ha. My secondary wound has stopped spreading and showing signs of healing as well. Yesterday, there was no pain from either area and again today. I am hesitant to declare that I am "healed" I will give it another week. I will say however, if you are still experiencing symptoms of this infection and haven't tried valacyclovir, I strongly recommend you do right away. It isn't you - you are not crazy!
Happy things are still looking postive! I did feel like the sores tried to fight the medication initially, so hopefully that was just the case with your 2nd spot some guy. I had severe side effects the first 3 days so fair warning to those that may take this (TAKE IT ANYWAY, at least for myself, the side effects were worth the end result!).
Very positive PulgPlague - I can't Thank you enough! Please tell your doctor he/she has helped. And so have you :-)
@justsomeguy and @plugplague...please please tell me all prescriptions you are on. I read this just two evenings ago and it has given me hope for a possible answer to my unexplained facial and arm lesions that last forever. I happen to have valtrex on hand because I have gotten a single shingle on my arm once or twice a year due to extreme stress for the last 4 years. So, after reading this I took a dosage that I normally would if I had my shingle outbreak coming in and two days later my lesions are improving. Drying up and everything! I can’t believe it!! I’m planning on calling the doctor tomorrow to let me know my breakthrough and request a more accurate dosage and anything else you know has helped along the way. Your posts have given me so much hope! I’ve been hiding for years even from family...so grateful for your sharing your experiences!