I've had reaccuring Boils for 6 years.

Hi, I have had reoccurring boils since I was 12 years old and now I am 18. I have went to many doctors about this problem but they all say the exact same thing. Since I did not get the help I needed I now have scars upon scars. I was never really told what caused the boils only that being overweight causes things to get worse. I have been over weight my whole life but it doesn't explain why I have the boils and other people exactly like me do not. In more detail, I get reoccurring painful and multiple boils under my armpits, on my inner thighs, around my private area and under my breasts. I also have access amounts of blackheads in those same areas. Scarring consist of deep puncture holes located mostly on my inner thighs. Condition worsens when I ingest high amounts of sugar and when the skin in the listed areas above become moistened. Another point I would like to make is for the fact that I get severe boils under my breast. If weight is an issue here...then why do average weight women with large breast do not get boils as well? If they have a poor diet and a poor hygiene but do not get boils then that would not explain my condition. Other than the fact that what I have could be genetic. Please, help me find a much needed solution. Thank you so much.

[chellybeans]

have you been to a dermatologist?

[UnknownUser19]

Yes, I have been to see a dermatologist...many actually. They haven't been very helpful at all. As a matter of fact they seem to think it's perfectly normal. When in actuality no sane person who has experienced this for as long as I have would ever think it as normal. The dermatologists I have seen told me that it may be worsened by how I was over weight (although not necessarily caused), that it was like acne but was not (whatever the heck that means) and that I would have it for the rest of my life. Also, they said that if the boils needed to be drained they would drain them. As you can imagine that kind of news would crush a teenage girl. I just wish I had a better understanding of what exactly I could do...perhaps a too difficult question for anyone.

[sgrey]

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger.  I am 32 and have always had a problem with this.  Same areas and everything.  I have not found anything that helps.  I have tried anti bacterial soap and other stuff.  Mine are usually worse before my period.  Yours?   I don't care what doctors say, they are hereditary.  My dad always gets them and so do my 3 brothers and my sister.  My sister and I get them worse than the men.  It is not due to being dirty.  There is actually something in your body ( a virus or bacteria or something) that causes them.  I think you just have to live with it.  I will check back in case someone gives you a cure:)

[chellybeans]

there is no miracle cure. a boil (technically a cyst for the record) occurs just like a pimple but they are deeper. the pore becomes blocked by sebum and bacteria.it is a pus filled sac that is under the surface.squeezing them is a very bad idea. you may be getting the hyperpigmented scars because you are causing trauma to the skin around them.another problem you may be having is that by puncturing them to drain you are leaving the sack intact to refill. when we excised cysts in the office we made sure to remove the entire sack so that there was no opportunity to refill. if even a small segment of the cyst is left it can refill.

if you have several then excision is obviously not the answer for you. you can up your vitamin a intake as it does tend to decrease oil production. vitamin a and e are excellent skin supplements that may help. another option to you is having the dermatologist inject the lesions as they occur. a steroid solution such as kenalog can cause the sack to collapse and scar down on itself without creating surface scars. then it cannot refill. the shots can sting a bit, but only for a matter of seconds and usually work wiithin a day to two.

you can also ask the dermatologist about oral antibiotics such as Minocycline, tetracycline or something similar. accutane could possibly be one extreme measure of therapy, with alot of risks. it should not be taken lightly, but if a doctor monitors your liver function, mood and general skin integrity, it may be a help, possibly long term. i have only seen it used once for a situation like this, and it was effective, but came with a plethora of side effects.

[ashlee1228]

it sounds to me like you suffer from cystic acne, which i too suffer from, the only thing that has ever worked for me was Acutane. As much of a bad wrap as it has recieved i had no problems with it and it truly was a miracle cure, but its not always permanent. They say it will either cure you forever or it will cure you for 6 years, for me it was 6 years and now im back on it. if you have any questions about the medication or side effects feel free to ask

ashlee

[amsfry]

I also have had boils since I was an adolescent.I have mine on my buttocks, inner thighs and a few on my face. THey leave terrible scars whether you irritate them or leave them alone.I also have been to many dermatologists and no one will help.I have been on a sugar free diet, a fat free diet,caffene free diet and minocycline.It is hereditary and It is a bacteria in you blood stream.My question is will there ever be a cure from these aweful legions....

[mellymoo76]

i have had problems with boils for the last 10 years i am 33 female with self hate issues and these boils in my pubic area does not help..they become big as a 20p and are black/red in colour and very painfull please can anyone help..i have been to the docters but no cure yet

[Zade]

I don't think this problem has to do with weight. I first started having boils when I was in my teens at 110 pounds. I am now 41 and I still have the problem even though I am overweight now. It started in my face when I had my period and then I started using acne products and it shifted to my  inner thighs, over the years it has started to occur under my armpit and now on the underside of the breast. As i write I have had the worst one yet. I also have the blackheads on my inner thighs and I have had those for as long as I can remember dating back to when I was skinny. I have notice however, I only get boils when my period is approaching or right after it has finished. I think whatever is happening is related to the period but like the rest of you the doctors see no reason for alarm. Even though I have suffered no permanent effect after the boils (that I know of) have disappeared I wonder if they can become worst over time as this is biggest on I have ever had?

[Hoping_Praying]

I too have suffered abcsesses for several years now. My son came home from preschool with what we found out was MRSA. I then started getting it (I guess from treating & cleaninh his). We are very clean people. I have noticed a few things that seem to be reoccuring themes though. I say this in hopes that someone out there with medical expertise will read & consider seriously  studying to find a cure for what is obviously a vast problem.
1) Once virus starts producing boils/abscess, they become more frequent, more severe, & increase in number with each occurrance, as well as location changes. (I started with one. It was on inside of my thigh. It became so enlarged it ruptured on its own when I squatted down. Since, I have had  them on face, legs, privare area, stomach, most recently..right now..armpits..and I have 6 separate ones :(
2) I get a deep cough, unbelievable fatigue (only two other people mentioned this, but I think it's not mentioned bc the obvious pain, skin pressure, social symptomd are so overwhelming)
3) Women seem to be more/greater affected. Many mention relation of boils to timing of menstrual cycle...curious. I do get them about every 30 days or so, basically every month now. Wonder if certain hormones trigger (which some men may have higher levels of-OR women w higher testosterone levels...? I have polycystic ovaries as well which can elevate the testosterone  level. Just thinking out loud)
4) An insulin/blood sugar link...? Many mention attempting to cut out sugar/worsening/aggravated when sugar increased
5) I can feel them coming on now. The area tingle/itches. Develops within 6-8 hours.
6) Relieving the pus sometimes makes feel better, but reoccur in same spot. Seems to scar either way. Antibiotics become useless as the infection learns a work around.

Well, as I said...just attempting to get someone out there to really think on these things & search for real answers amd a solution. As all of you have mentioned, it is painful physically & socially (I feel like I have the plague or leprosy or something. I am scared to touch people or get close for fear of spreading it), expensive (drs, treatments, prescriptions, time off work, etc), and emotionally depressing.
May we all find a cure. I have had about 40 different abscesses in a year...I am as exhausted with this as I can be. Keep posting your symptoms, what works, & what hasn't so we all may benefit.
H

[Hoping_Praying]

Also....forgot to mention I keep Hibiclens in my shower & bath with this daily followed by my reg body wash. This is over the counter & if you ask the pharmacy they can order u a giant bottle for about $30. U can also buy it online.
I also have come across a helpful website - mrsa30dotcom
http://www.mrsa30day.com/
I intend to try their product. I read all on it & listened to even the somewhat boring one hour long medical lecture on what is happening in the body. It makes sense. Interesting that he discusses this virus feeds off of sugar & sees most people mention a craving for sweets during their infection.
If anyone out there has tried it please comment.
H

[deedeefaye]

I have had the same issue I once found a chat forum like this and someone mentioned silver solution. http://www.mrsamedical.com/ I am fixing to purchase some one the solution and some of the gel.  I hate my body and I have them all over since the 6th grade and I am now 23 going on 24. I have been to many dermetologist and doctors and nothing helps.  They give me antibiotics and a really expensive cream and nothing has helped.  One dermetologist told me I could have all my sweat glads removed in the areas I get  them, but that sounds insane and very expensive! I really hope this solution works!

[loulabell884]

They are not passed on through generations at all -- I started getting them about 2 years ago -- Im not in my teens and am slightly overweight. I eat healthy and exercise...so why am I getting them?  Ive just been referred to a dermatologist so we shall see....