Cysts?

I get these cysts quite often, and usually after a bout of severe stress they show up.  Doctors have removed one and left worst scarring than without surgery and said there is no cancer or anything in them.  It starts out as a small hard bump under the skin.  After about 2 days it gets very very red and hot and painful.  Nothing seems to help it until it breaks through the surface and drains.  It's substance is sometimes very runny and brownish to very hard and yellow.  The skin typically peels around it (prob due to the heat).  I get these under my breasts and in my biniki area, but also on my inner thighs.  From first notice to complete heal takes about a month.  It is really nasty and I have had several doctors look at it.  One doctor told me not to worry about it, take hot baths with epson salt and use hot compresses, but they don't help.  Can anyone tell me what is going on with me?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
What you seem to be having are boils or cysts. Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with pus. Finally, the pus "forms a head," which can be surgically opened or spontaneously drain out through the surface of the skin.
Apply warm compresses on the boil and keep the area clean. Drainage of the boil is done only when it becomes soft and forms a head. Take some over the counter pain reliever and consult a doctor for examination and antibiotics prescription.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.