# How to "draw up" the fluid in a pustule? (Gross, probably.) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 27, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282 "2010-09-27T23:03:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![may\_be\_ignorant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c5a1d2/32.png) [@may\_be\_ignorant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/may_be_ignorant)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/1 "2010-09-27T23:03:37Z")
I had a small red bump just behind my knee for quite a long time. Today, it randomly started hurting and i looked down to see it had grown significantly in size. it kept growing, too, but its calmed down now. It hurts really badly though, and bending my leg is killer because of its location. I want to draw up whatever is in it, and I suppose, lance it before school tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/2 "2010-09-27T23:23:39Z")
There is some vile stuff available at your drugstore for this purpose. Some are also pretty ordinary like magnesium sulfate. They’re not always fast acting though. Edit: Also, see a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![may\_be\_ignorant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c5a1d2/32.png) [@may\_be\_ignorant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/may_be_ignorant)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/3 "2010-09-27T23:43:24Z")
Yeah I should probably go to a doctor. It hurts pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/4 "2010-09-28T00:29:55Z")
To help ripen a forming abscess or boil, I generally recommend warm compresses or warm soaks. Then come back when it’s ready to be lanced. I don’t advocate home surgery for most folks. Signs of systemic infection, such as fever, chills, myalgias and so forth, should indicate sooner consultation with said physician. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/5 "2010-09-28T00:34:27Z")
“probably”? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/6 "2010-09-28T00:37:38Z")
Bourbon. Bourbon and an Exacto knife. (This is a joke. This is only a joke. This is not medical advice. Listen to **Qadgop**.) ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/7 "2010-09-28T00:53:18Z")
Heat works well. I recommend heating water to as hot as you can bear it, then putting it in a water bottle and resting your leg on that. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/8 "2010-09-28T00:57:03Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Bourbon. Bourbon and an Exacto knife. > > (This is a joke. This is only a joke. This is not medical advice. Listen to **Qadgop**.) MMMM. Boiled Bourbon. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/9 "2010-09-28T01:12:21Z")
My doctor suggested making a hot compress from a clean, wet washcloth that has been microwaved for about 1 minute. Just hot enough that you don’t get burned. If it’s too hot to touch, wait for it to cool down some. Put it on the area until it’s no longer hot. For my more awkwardly-placed boils and such, I soak in a bath tub that is full of water right from the hot water tank - no cold. YMMV based on how hot you keep your hot water tank. Again, don’t burn yourself - just make it as hot as you can stand it. Neither of these things cause boils/ingrown hairs/sebaceous cysts to go away overnight but in my experience it makes the inflammation go down and if you do it a few times, they go away faster. If it does get infected, go to your doctor to get it taken care of. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/10 "2010-09-28T20:09:24Z")
[Almost identical thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=579202&highlight=pustule) The “vile stuff” is called ichthammol (sp?) per that thread. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/11 "2010-09-29T06:20:30Z")
So, how’d it go? No YouTube link yet? (this post is also a joke. By now you’ve gone to a doc, and didn’t have to X-acto your knee… right?) ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/12 "2010-09-29T16:54:18Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Bourbon. Bourbon and an Exacto knife. Waste of bourbon, if you ask me. Use cheap rum or vodka instead. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/13 "2010-09-29T22:05:45Z")
The bourbon is for anesthesia, not sterilization. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/14 "2010-09-29T22:09:56Z")
Go to a doctor. Don’t make me link to my Infamous Abscess Story. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/15 "2010-09-30T00:46:05Z")
The thread title contains possibly the funniest use of the word “probably” I’ve seen in a while. - wanders off to find some bourbon \* What? I’m easily suggestible! ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/16 "2010-09-30T14:17:45Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Go to a doctor. > > Don’t make me link to my Infamous Abscess Story. (Gross, probably.) ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/17 "2010-09-30T16:55:50Z")
> [@digs](#): > > > [@Broomstick](#): > > > > Go to a doctor. > > > > Don’t make me link to my Infamous Abscess Story. > > (Gross, probably.) And epic. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/18 "2010-09-30T16:59:50Z")
Is it pustule season or something? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/19 "2010-09-30T17:52:35Z")
_hiccup_ Bourbon season. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-draw-up-the-fluid-in-a-pustule-gross-probably/555282/20 "2010-09-30T19:31:44Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > _hiccup_ > > Bourbon season. _blorp_ Pustule season!