boils or ingrown hair?

[xmaggiex]

Every once in awhile , I get these bumps, not really sure if they are boils but the doctor says they are ingrown hairs. They swell up and are very painful to touch. Since I started getting them, I've had one appear in my underarm, the rest either appear in my inner thigh or above my public line. I've even had two going on at once on each inner thigh. Hot compresses seem to help, but it hurts so much, I've tried topical creams and other liquids, each and every one leaves a nasty scar behind. Does anyone know for sure what they might be or what causes/prevents them?

[charley1986]

Hey KT80, Thank you so much for the sites and info.  After looking at this and reading about this, I believe this is what I have.  I almost cried looking at it - I don't have them all the time but I do have flare ups around the time of my period.  Any doc I've ever been to told me it was sebaceous cysts, etc.  I have dealt with this alone for a very long time.  In your opinion, should I consult my gyn doc or my gp and ask for referral to dermatologist?  I think with the scarring under my breats and between my legs, I would consider surgery.
Thank you! Thank you!

[KT 80]

Based on the intermittent recurrance of the symptoms over a long period of time and their location, a possible diagnosis for xmaggiex's condition is Hidradenitis Suppurativa


The following may prove interesting.


http://www.hs-usa.org/abstracts/abstract_viewer.asp?ID=91

http://www.hs-usa.org/hidradenitis_suppurativa.htm

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3225/is_8_72/ai_n15863463

http://www.frontiernet.net/~ruthb/HidradenitisSuppurativa.html

http://rarediseases.about.com/cs/hidradenitissupp/a/072703.htm


I myself am a sufferer but so far only in a relatively mild Stage I form.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa is an "orphan disease" (i.e. a disease in which the medical profession has not yet taken much interest nor done much serious research on. They are only just starting to acknowledge its existence) and as such, diagnosis and treatment can be a very hit and miss affair. BE CAREFUL; do your own research and don't take anyone's "expert" advice totally for granted (my own included!)

I'm sure that in 20 years' time the pharmaceutical industry will have realised that there are massive profits to be made and we'll have a tailor-made slew of drugs to choose from. Until then good luck with your own search for an effective treatment because the disease seems to go very different ways for different people.

I personally have found it to be (almost!) a blessing in disguise. Faced with the unappealing prospect of progression to Stages II and III of the disease, I have really pulled myself together and now lead a pretty damned healthy lifestyle.

Whether I have halted the progress of the disease or whether further deterioration is inevitable, no-one (not even the doctors) can say with any certainty.

I just stay positive, live with the flare-ups and, in the meantime, enjoy the benefits of feeling 10 years younger due to improved diet and LOTS of exercise!

Good luck again

[charley1986]

I have had all of the above...geez, that sounds bad.  Ok, I have had small hard bumps which were ingrown hairs and I have had boils and cysts - I have been told by my doc that boils are the same as sebacceous cysts.  You should use warm/hot compresses as often as possible - for 15 minutes every hour - or until it erupts on its own.  If you push on it or squeeze it, you risk further infection.  There will be some infection if it is in an area of the body that may have friction - ie: underarm, inside thigh, under breasts, etc.  Also, my pharmacist suggested I use Ichthammol Ointment 20%.  It stinks - smells like tar and it is black and sticky - but it works.  My grandmother said "in her day, it was called black sauve".  Just found out about all this - in fact other people in another forum mentioned it.  They can leave some pretty nasty scars.  Hope this helps.
P.S. If it is in the lower half of your body, I suggest doing sitz baths with epsom salts as well - atleast it takes some of the soreness away. And when you use the ointment, clean and dry the area first, use the ointment and cover with sterile gauze - can do this up to twice daily.  BTW, it will stain the heck out of your clothes.

[layla345]

My symptoms are exactly like yours. I get these swollen red bumps in my bikini area that are painful and tender. It's hard to move around sometimes. They swell and then after a few days go away. I had one in my armpit a year ago, and then I got one in the groin and just recently got another one, but they leave little spot-like scars afterwards. They're beginning to freak me out.

[JJety]

I used to get these things near my bikini line; VERY painful, very swollen, and would leak pus especially when pushed on.

My doctor took a culture while I was having one and said that it was staph bacteria invading my shaving bumps.  She said we naturally have staph bacteria on our bodies everyday but they were invading a shaving cut and causing an infection.  At the time I only used Ivory soap so she told me to switch to antibacterial bar soap (something strong like 'Dial') and I haven't seen one single sore since then.

Some women in the past have said that didn't help, but it certainly helped me and it's worth a try if you can't find any relief.

Good luck!

[xmaggiex]

Thanks bbird, will try it if it is available in Canada.!! :)