Boils or Hidrenitis Suppurtiva - Skin Problems Message Board

lizziemac26 · 12-27-2003, 04:55 AM

Hi, Im new here.

I have been suffering from HS for 2 years (undiagnosed) but i KNOW this is the condition ive got, and its getting worse. It started with one 'boil-like' leision now and then, but now i have multiple leisions, every couple of months, and i have also found stress as a trigger. At the moment i have maybe 8 or more (its hard to count, as they have combined into one huge lump) under my right armpit. They are so painful i havent been able to sleep for 4 nights. Its christmas, and the doctors surgery is closed...i know i should be on anitbiotics by now, as it does help to heal it quicker. Im taking 2 paracetemols and 2 nurofens every 4 hours to cope with the pain, but it hardly touches it. Childbirth has nothing on this pain!! I really need gas 'n air right now.

I was wondering if anyone else out there has had this condition, and if theres anyone with help on pain relief..im in tears here at the moment.

Thanks, and help would be appreciated.

Liz.

spicket317 · 01-24-2005, 12:23 AM

Liz,
Im a 37 yr old woman who has this i started out with a few here and there when i was about 20 this has progressed so rapidily. i have had surgery to lance these only to have them back in a few weeks, my understanding is there is no cure only antibiotics to keep them from getting so big but that hasnt helped me, i have them in several places now i do seem to think that tanning seems to help i bought a tanning bed and i tanned 4 times a week last yr and i had less new boils but mine seem to never go down completley. if you have any remedies pls let me know im willing to try anything at this point. but i do say the tanning works somewhat i havent tanned in since last yr and i have major boils but i have to decide on boils or skin cancer lovely choices dont u think, i only wonder why we was the unlucky ones to get this dreadful stuff. take care and i wish u well

Sara4293 · 02-11-2005, 10:43 PM

Hi, Liz

I'm very sorry to hear about your situation and of course the first thing I would recommend is to get it diagnosed so you know your options. My mother never had HS, but she is a diabetic, which makes her very prone to boils if her blood sugar is too high or if she's stressed. I don't have HS either, but I've had several boils before , so I know how painful they can be. The best thing I find for relief is to apply a hot water compress. You can boil some water with Boric Acid (over the counter) and dip some clothes into it or just put hot water into a plastic bag. The heat helps draw out the infection, and you know when it's out it doesn't hurt anymore.

goldenwings · 03-16-2005, 09:06 AM

Hello,

I have only just come across this topic. I have posted elsewhere on the boards regarding the problem, and outlining exactly what it is. (Not in a medical way, but in a way of a person having it). If you are still having the problems, then I hope I can give you a bit of insight into my own treatment.

I had these large awfully painful lumps for 10 years before I was finally taken seriously about how much they had caused problems in my life. I must say mine were not under my arms but -- ahem --in a private part of my body

I was finally referred to a wonderful dermatologist who listened and looked. First time in 10 years that somebody had looked properly and taken me seriously.

He diagnosed this problem at once. Thank goodness, confirmation of the fact that something was definitely not right. I had up until then been given oral antibiotics because the general concensus was that it was "a bit of imflammation, or caused by tiny hairs". I was obsessed with thinking that I wan unclean, as you would be. I began to imagine that they thouight I was in fact imagining the pain these lumps caused me. All they could do was dismiss me. Urrgghh, it made me so mad.

Because I have lupus, amongst other things, they always try to put things down to that, inflammation in the body. It was absolutely nothing at all to do with lupus. So don't worry ladies. Anyway, I am going off the subject sorry. I live in the UK. I don't know where you live but if not here I don't think the names of the preparations will be the same. The treatment will be though. You must ask your doctor about it. I now use a antibacterial wash on the area. It is the same type that I washed in before and after my heart surgery, so I know it is highly recommended for its cleansing properties. After gently drying I then use a topical rollerball antibiotic preparation.

Of course with this treatment you have no pills to take and no problem of stomach issues. I took antibiotics for such a long time, they did nothing for the problem so in the end I just gave up taking them. I still get a bit of trouble with lumps, but they are so, so tiny now and nothing like the huge abcessy things I used to get.

Please tell your doctor about what I have suggested. You need to be free of this horrid thing. Best of luck.

goldenwings

triple · 05-18-2005, 03:43 AM

i am 19 years old, i have had these since i was 16 when i got my first... i get them on my butt cheeks....
atm i have like 9 scars and 3 infected ones that im gonna be getting drained properly by the doctor in a couple of days...

does these boils stay around for years n years... i ve had em for 3 years already i thought they would one day just stop forming...

i cant believe this.... not only do i suffer from boils i also have PPP and sebacous glands so under my pants i m not the most appealing

another question i have does the scars ever go away or they there for life?