Boils or Furnacles

[LBW]

I have a question concerning boils or furnacles. I have been reading up on the internet on boils as well. I'm just not sure what I can do to get rid of them. I am 22 years old and a female. I have gotten them on and off for the past 6 years in my groin area only!!! I have heard it may have something to do with nutrition and other things. I think they also leave places once they do finally go away. I have recently went to CVS and bought some boilease, but I don't think that will totally rid the problem just alittle of the pain. Are boils really serious? Should I worry because they come and go so often and for so long?  Is there anything I should do? Should I start taking lots of vitamins? Should I go to the Doctor or maybe a Dermetologist??

Thank You,
LBW

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Furuncles are, as you say, boils.  These usually involve bacteria, but the body often takes care of the inflammation itself.  Only when the boils are large or painful are compresses, antibiotics, or lancing required.

It is hard to explain why some people get boils and it is hard to prevent them.  One strategy you might try is to shower with an antiseptic cleanser like chlorhexidine and to apply bacitracin ointment daily both to any boils and also into the nostrils.  The reason for putting it there is that bacteria often live in the nose but don't cause problems there, just elsewhere.  Try the bacitracin nightly for 2-3 months.  (Both bacitracin and chlorhexidine are non-prescription--ask your druggist.)

I doubt that you have any underlying problem, but I advise you to make an appointment with your doctor, just to get a full going-ver and find out for sure.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

I would advise

[Karbear8]

I am 32 year old female who also has been experiencing the same problems.It started out of the blue about 7 yrs. ago.At first I thought i had a STD,went to my gyno, he did a culture,was negative and told me what he thought it might be.He sent me to a dermatolagist,who comfirmed that I more than likely had "Hidradenitis Suppurativa". He wanted to put me on Accutane to prevent outbreaks,which i could not take in case I got pregnant,it causes birth defects.Anyways, I've been dealing with this on my own, did some research on the net. I agree with the Dr. about using the soap and also I find bactroban ointment to work really well with a bandaid.I find it very embarrassing, but my husband is very understanding. It also helps to know I'm not the only one with this problem!So there is a word for your problem,now if only there was a cure! Good Luck!!!

[sharon29570]

Hi Karbear8, I also suffer from HS (hidradenitis suppurativa). I would like to chat with you some times, if you don't mind. My email address is ***@****. Or anyone reading this that has or thinks you have HS can email me. Sharon

[sharon29570]

Hello LBW and Karbear8, I also suffer from HS (hidradenitis suppurativa) I would like to chat with you both, if you don't mind about this. My email address is ***@****. Hope to hear from yall soon. Sharon

[jolie]

i was so relieved to find this site !!  i have been dealing with boils   or as i like to say  abssesses since i was 13  im now 35  the worst is when it appears on the left side of my labia   the pain as you all know is excruciating   last weekend i went to the e.r  for the first and last time   they lanced it and  if i had known the pain id suffer  i would have never gone   usually i deal with is myself with  hot packs  and  scolding baths    i cannot deal with this anymore   its disrupting my life and jeopardizing my job    im embarrassed  and dont know what to do   my gyno tells me to stop shaving  dont wear tight jeans and take hot baths  ok  all that done  they still some back  i was recently told that an antibiotic regimine perhaps can  help  it may take up to 2 years though   my gyno never suggested this   i feel like he's laughing at me   im in  pain  im miserable and ive been so humbled by this     my gyno also said  " well  if ya want ill remove your sweat glands "   has anyone ever been suggested this in the same situation ??   im currently searcing for a new gyno !!  he has no compassion   he was great dealing with my endometriosis but when dealing with this i feel so belittled and embarrassed  by him   thanks for giving me this opportunity to vent !!

[kooldaddy]

Hi people, so far the comments i have read have been from females.I on the other hand am a 35 year old male.I have been dealing with large boils on my scrotum for approx.the past 5 years.I had no idea what causes this.Ive been with the same woman for the past 11 years so I ruled out any type of venerial deseases.I have a female cousin who also has problems with boils,only she has them in her arm pits.Now she has discussed these boils with me for some time but I would not mention my problems because like you people I find them to be very embarrassing.Just recently she mentioned that she found some information online about her problem,she also mentioned that some men have a similar problem but the boils appear on the scrotum.Well when she said that,I opened up.I told her about my problem and I think that she was grateful that she was not alone, that someone close to her had a similar problem.She immedeatly took me online and we looked at a few sites together.I did feel better to know i was not alone and that there are some things that can be done to POSSIBLY help me with this.Today is the first time I had to call in at work,I can hardly walk.Like 1 of you ladies have commented I have also been to the e.r. ONCE!! The doctor lanced it. I will NOT go back.The pain was too much.I NEED A CURE...***@**** talk to me.

[kooldaddy]

Hi people, so far the comments i have read have been from females.I on the other hand am a 35 year old male.I have been dealing with large boils on my scrotum for approx.the past 5 years.I had no idea what causes this.Ive been with the same woman for the past 11 years so I ruled out any type of venerial deseases.I have a female cousin who also has problems with boils,only she has them in her arm pits.Now she has discussed these boils with me for some time but I would not mention my problems because like you people I find them to be very embarrassing.Just recently she mentioned that she found some information online about her problem,she also mentioned that some men have a similar problem but the boils appear on the scrotum.Well when she said that,I opened up.I told her about my problem and I think that she was grateful that she was not alone, that someone close to her had a similar problem.She immedeatly took me online and we looked at a few sites together.I did feel better to know i was not alone and that there are some things that can be done to POSSIBLY help me with this.Today is the first time I had to call in at work,I can hardly walk.Like 1 of you ladies have commented I have also been to the e.r. ONCE!! The doctor lanced it. I will NOT go back.The pain was too much.I NEED A CURE...***@**** talk to me.

[Scoobydoo]

Hi. Im a 25 year old male and Im pretty sure what I get all the time is boils, but they only recently have got worse. I was wondering what your guys boils do? I want to explain mine and see if you guys have any similar conditions and please let me know. I get mine always near my genitals. 90% just above my pubic hair, on the upperist part of my legs and recently I have gotton 2 in my anal region. Some actually get really big, and man do they hurt like hell, they get infected and turn red, and I soak in hot salt water and have to pop them open even though it huts, because if I dont, the pain takes over. Now I dont want to be gross, but when I do pop them open, a lot of green/yellowish pus comes out. And eventually a few days later it will get better. Does this sound anything like any of yours, or is mine probably somthing else?

[deano]

Hi.  Even though I don't have this condition, I have an 18 year old daughter that has been getting very painful boils for the last year.  The doctor gave her some antibiotics which helped to clear up her last bout, but this past week she got two more.  She seems to get them on her leg, inner thigh, and butt.  She complains about the pain that they cause and I would really like to help her, but is there really anything that you can do or do you just have to ride out the storm?

[Lauren79]

Hi everyone,
I am very embarrased of my situation.  Since I was probably 13 or so, I started getting what I am pretty sure are Boils on my Butt.  I am 23 now.  I don't know what to do.  They come and go, and are very painful.  This is the first time I am talking about this to anyone.  I have been hiding this from my boyfriend for years.   I know he would understand, but I just can't bring myself to tell him.  What kind of treatments can I use.  I am way too embarrased to go to a doctor.  Please help!

[naynay]

Hello Eveyone,
I'm a 32 year old female and I started getting boils after my first child, about 9 years ago.  At first they came under the armpits, then a couple in my groin area, But I stopped using anti-perspirant about 4 months ago and so far I haven't gotten anymore THERE!!  Now I get them on my behind like right at the top(tailbone).  I've tried the bacterin ointment in the nostrils and the stuff to wash with for about a month now and guess what, today I discovered another starting in the same spot (behind)It seems like the older I get the more frequently they come. It started maybe 1 or 2 a year(I could deal with that) Now I get one every 30-45 days and they stick around for 10 days before bursting by themselves.  My Dr. says that I should see the General Surgeon  to have the core removed. Is there a way to make them come to a head quicker besides compress and hot baths??

[Pandy]

My boyfriend has been plauged by cysts and boils for nine years.  It first started with a cyst on his tailbone.  then he joined the army, and they occured all over his butt.  Then they spread to his back (mainly down the spine) He's had them under his armpits, and he had a major surgery on his abdomen to remove several "cores".  He had a large cavity that he had to change the gauze for weeks (the cavity spanning his abdomen).  he's had them on the back of his head (the base) and his earlobes swell, and his jaw can swell with cysts.  He has dealt with alot of pain throughout all of this.  The only doctor he sees is the VA dermatologist, but they only see him for 5  minutes at a time, and drug him on antibotics.  I fear he will develop an allergy to the medicines someday.  and It's horrible to see him in such pain.  I just want some doctor, somewhere, to understand what he has, and possibly shed some light on the situation.
If anyone has any clue as to what this is, or if anyone has such severe symptoms, please write back!!!

[Diva]

Hi
So I finally found other people who suffer from this and I now know that what I have been suffering from, since the age of 13, has a name. Believe it or not, this actually makes me feel so much better. I have to say, that I am happy to know that I am not alone.
I have read all the other comments posted here and can relate to all of them. (especially the 23 year old who expresses her embarrassment) To you I have to say... Don't be ashamed, although it took me many years to feel comfortable with my HS and accept the awful scarring it has left, it was actually my boyfriend who helped me find this site and research and possible help or cures. Please remember this is not a result of something that you have done wrong but the result of some sort of genetic or chemical imbalance that is beyond yours or my control at this point!
In the decade and a half that I have been dealing with this I have tried many many things ...
hot compress's, sitz baths, epsome salts mixtures, tea bags (one of the many home remedies that you'll try when your desperate haha) antibiotics, peroxide, tea tree oil and I do believe the list could go on forever and a day!  
I have actually been successful (knock on wood) in stoping these dreaded beasts from returning. Atfer I shower or use the washroom I wipe down my bikini line and surrounding area with alcohol. I keep it extremely clean. since I started doing this I have not had them return. It has worked for me for about a year and a half, its definately worth a try.
Another thing that may have helped me was weight lose. not that I was extremely over weight but, my thighs rubbed together causing friction, more sweat and additional heat down there. hense more infection!
The one thing I still suffer from is trying to find a way to remove the scarring! Any suggestions????
Good luck to all of you!