Can someone identify this please?

[Doug09]

These 2 bumps started to appear below my stomach 3 days ago, they haven't grown in size, rather have gotten darker and more sensitive. I'm thinking they are boils and they are just so dark because of the blood accumulating inside? I also soaked in a epsom salt hot water bath for 15 minutes a while ago, maybe another explanation for the severe redness?

http://i35.tinypic.com/fddkeq.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/xgcgh0.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/fbjqs9.jpg

Also, this is on a spot where I get a lot of skin-to-skin friction so maybe that's why they're so red?

Please help, I have no health insurance and I need help from you guys.

[Doug09]

Hello,

It's been a week since I last posted, and a lot has changed. For one, one of the boils completely popped like I stated last week, drained, and has now healed up completely. The one further down my groin area for some reason has shrunk and doesn't hurt at all, however I can still see a dark spot there... but it's not protruding out or dark red like it was when I had the other one.

Now, some new developments. I have had something else pop up above both of the boils, it was a bright red bump that was painful to the touch, however it went away and is no longer effecting me. Possibly a pimple?

And now, here's what really *****, I think I got another boil... this time closer to my genitals. I'm wanting to say an inch above my genitals to be exact. I'm hoping this too is just a pimple and will wait, but I highly doubt it's a pimple because I've NEVER got pimples that bad down in that region. In the mean time I'm applying some triple antibiotic ointment to the bump.

Lastly, I stopped taking the Ceftin because it gave me SEVERE abdominal pain and diarrhea.

This is getting really frustrating, I'm an agoraphobic with no health insurance. What should I do?

Thank you

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

The boil seems like it has spontaneously drained itself. Just keep the area clean and keep on applying the antibiotic cream. If the area reddnes or is painful, then oral antiobiotics may be neede. Kind regards.

[Doug09]

Hello,

Today I woke up with the gauze pad on the top boil filled with blood. I'm assuming this is a good sign?

I immediately took a hot shower and cleaned the boil with anti-infection soap, I applied some rubbing alcohol, neosporin, and a new bandage. I found that I need a new bandage every hour or so because of the bleeding, so instead of reapplying a new bandage I'm just holding toilet paper on the boil and disposing of it after an hour. I am also taking some cefuroxime axetil that my sister had left over, I've read that it works well against skin infections.

Besides that, the bottom boil is still the same. Anyways, from what I've said... am I doing anything wrong?

Thank you for your time,
Doug

[Doug09]

Hello,

Ok so a couple new things have developed over the past 24 hours.

First off, the bottom boil appears to have a white dot on it, now I say appears because I can't see it as it's in a hard to look spot, but in the mirrors from what I can see off to the side of the boil is a small white dot.

Secondly, the top boil. Well it's weird because some of the skin has peeled off on the boil, but it has yet to pop, but looks to be coming to a head. I applied some rubbing alcohol (70%) and some neosporin to it and placed a bandage on it. I did the same to the bottom alcohol (but minus the neosporin).

I'm hoping the boils don't pop while I sleep, because the bandages are ON but are definitely nothing to be proud of. So I'm afraid if it pops the bandage won't catch most of it.

Other than that, redness and pain are down significantly. So I hope these are all good signs.

Thank you again Dr. Kaur,
-Doug

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the recent symptoms that you have described, it sounds like a boil. Please 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. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.

I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Kind regards.

[Doug09]

Ok it turns out my eyes must have been deceiving me because the line that I thought I saw is completely gone, and the boils are less red and don't hurt as much... but they have still yet to drain. Hopefully this is a good sign.

[Doug09]

Ok, now there is sort of like a red bump about an inch long next to the top boil, it's not touching it but it's close. It's about an inch long and 1/5 inch wide. What could that be?

Help, I'm worried.

[Doug09]

Thank you Doctor Kaur, I will definitely keep you posted on what happens. I have my gauze, medical tape, rubbing alcohol, neosporin, and some anti-infection soap ready for when it does pop. One question I do have is, do Blood Blisters come to a head? Or do they just stay the same before popping?

Again, thank you for replying.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be a boil or blood blister. It is a type of blister that forms when subdermal tissues and blood vessels are damaged without piercing the skin. Don’t mess with it, apply cold compresses, soak the blister in Epsom salt and try to avoid its rupture. If the blister breaks, quickly rinse the area and apply an antiseptic such as neosporin. It is not recommended to break a blister because it may often lead to infection.

If the symptoms worsen or persist then please consult a dermatologist. Other two possibilities have to be ruled out.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.