Pimples on Thighs & Buttocks

In the past 2 years, I started getting red and itchy pimples on my thighs and buttocks area, that contain pus. It grows big and more painful everyday. After a week or so, it'll be dead but leaves behind a scar and a dark area around its place. Please help me, I've tried numerous on-shelf products and specific body washes without any long lasting results. The area it leaves also looks very dark and embaressing.

Thank You.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough,but it sounds like boils. Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus.Bacterial skin infections can be spread by shared cosmetics or washcloths, close human contact, or by contact with pus from a boil or carbuncle.
Pls keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove.Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful.In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed.Pls consult a dermatologist in that case. Recurrent boils are found in diabetes, HIV infection, or other immune system disorders.So pls get your blood sugar evaluated.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards

[reemkannon]

Thank you so much for all your great concern and advice. :)
I believe the problem has returned after I began using a strong body scrub and other cosmetics.
Since my situation has to do with hair follicles, I was wondering about the safe ways of hair removal and if that too irritates my skin. Also, what should I apply to my skin pre and post hair removal?
Another concern is the dark spots the boils left behind...what should I do to them now that i can't use cosmetics or strong products that would fade them quickly?

Thanks again for all your help and support

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
When you are waxing,apply wax in the direction of hair growth and wax should be tolerably hot.Then try to wax the hair out in a single strip as multiple strips may injure the skin more.After waxing apply ice(wrapped in a towel) and some calamine lotion on the skin which helps in soothing.You can also take some over the counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen after waxing.

However,the best method of painless hair removal is by laser treatment.I would advise you to consult a dermatologist/cosmetologist and discuss this option with him.
For the post inflammatory scars, You can use any of the various skin creams like hydroquinone, azelaic acid, corticosteroids, tretinoin cream and laser treatment.Apply hydroquinone cream on these scars and it should go away in a few days to months.If it still persists then you can go in for laser treatment, Chemical peeling or microdermabrasion. Avoid picking, harsh scrubbing, and abrasive treatments unless prescribed by a dermatologist during this period.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.

[reemkannon]

Thank you so much for your great help. I'm very glad to have finally known my medical problem and its treatments. :)
I will always try to keep you posted on how I'm doing and ask you again if I encounter other skin problems.
Thank You.