Lesions/Folliculitis

Hello - I have written before about recurrent folliculitis.  I was first colonized/picked it up at a lake in summer 2000.  I have tried everthing.  In the past two years I have been on a couple different antibiotics - Ceflex, Dixoclyinie, Minocin, Levaquin, and Eyrthromicin.  Only the Ceflex and Dixocycline were actually prescribed for the skin infections, the other where due to other illnesses...  I have also tried Bactroban Nasal for extend period of times and Bactricin.  When using the nasal products there is a submission of the folliculitis.  This tells me the colonization is in my nose, but it doesn't work 100% and it comes right back.  I also don't notice any improvement by using Hibiclens or other similar products.  But its been over 2 years and I still get lesions and bumps in and around my swimsuit area and some on my arms and other places, but mainly swimsuit area.  

Would a nose culture to determine what bacteria and which antibiotic work best be a good idea?

I don't want to give up or do nothing - what would you recommend?

I know it sounds stupid, but it mental drives me crazy and I just want relief.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm afraid that there isn't much I can think of to do besides what you've already done.  Folliculitis often goes rolling merrily along, despite regular treatment.

If you get suppression with nasal Bactroban, I would suggest continuing that.  A nasal culture may be of some value, but a negative culture wouldn't by itself prove anything for certain.  A positive culture might conceivably auggest a different antibiotic, but that seems like a long shot. Still a nasal culture is simple enough.

No matter how much you hate these lesions, please don't squeeze them.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff