“I have a pus filled boil on my index finger. I am a diabetic. Can it get complicated?”
I am a diabetic with an HbA1C of 9. I have a pus filled boil in my index finger. I am not sure if it is just a boil or what else could it be?
5 Answers
If the boil is truly filled with pus, an abscess and infection are present. The infection can cause sepsis, which is an infection of the blood. The infection can then spread to various internal organs.
EDWARD N. SMOLAR, MD
EDWARD N. SMOLAR, MD
Vijaya A. Ganta
Endocrinology-Diabetes
If blood sugars are not under control.
Yes. Need antibiotics.
This certainly can already be an infection, and it can definitely spread, with extra risk because you are a diabetic. You should see a doctor ASAP to get it cultured, find out what antibiotics or herbs the infection is sensitive to, get put on local and internal anti-microbial therapy as determined appropriate, and be sure your diabetes is under control.
See a Dr right away and get the boil lanced & drained and get antibiotics. Second, get your blood sugar down and your A1c under control. A high A1c dampens your immune system & inhibits its ability to fight infections. High A1c also causes damage to your blood vessels & nerves, causing even more complications. A1c should be below 7% (ADA criteria or 6.5% AACE criteria) to prevent these serious, life-threatening complications. Do whatever you need to do (change or add medications, change lifestyle, or add insulin if not now taking) to get that A1c down. Check blood sugars regularly & work at it for better control.
