Boils? Staph vs HS?

I recently had some folliculitis secondary to shaving my pubic area. The area was itchy and red and later a boil formed in the area, the first one I've ever had. Warm compresses and some draw out salve had the boil virtually gone in a few days. While draining, it was hard to keep the area covered because of the hair ( that I was now scared to shave). The small ingrown looking hairs around the boil looked a little worse once the boil had drained. My derm said it was secondary infection and gave me a zpack and bactroban ointment and within 5 days the are was almost completely healed. I now, just had another boil pop up in the surrounding area. Could it still be from the staph infection? I've found websites detailing HS and am now really anxious that it could be that! What are your thoughts? I have an upcoming appt with my derm, but I'll have to wait a few wks.

[Gaurang Krishna, MD]

Dear kaycee85,

Thanks for posting your query.

In my opinion, you’re probably suffering from a simple folliculitis due to Staphylococcus aureus. It is common to have one or two recurrences after an initial episode. Presence of ingrown hair further suggests toward folliculitis (or pseudofolliculitis).

Herpes mostly occurs on the penis (glans (glands) and prepuce), mouth and vagina. It also causes an itching or burning sensation in the genital area.

However, I suggest that you still get yourself evaluated by your dermatologist as one can be absolutely sure only after examining the lesions.

Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon.

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Best Regards,
Dr. Gaurang Krishna