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?

[xmaggiex]

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

[Aruba417]

I've had ingrown hairs where puss comes out, so it could easily still be an ingrown hair. It's nasty and pops like a zit, and you usually can see the hair somewhere in the mess, but not always.

[bbfroggy]

I was wondering how long you did your sores last for? I think that I might have one of those also. I have symptoms that sound like those.

[xmaggiex]

They have been coming and going for almost 4 years now. Months I would go without any at all, then one would appear to me it seems, out of the blue. I have no major concern health wise. It's just an uncomfortable part of life I have to adjust with. It may be hereditary as my grandfather used to have them under his arms all the time. The only thing I would like to know is if they will appear for the rest of my life or is there something I can do to stop them. Again , they are painful so if you are experiencing the same thing, I know what you are feeling!!!

[xmaggiex]

Just reread your question... How long do they last for? It depends on how I treat them. Some when they get out of hand, like very sore incapable to walk type deal, I HAVE to put a hot compress on them to reduce swelling. These usually last a few days. Others I can adjust and they go away on their own, again leaving scars behind. Either way , if I treat them or not, they leave scars for some reason!

[okiegal]

I found this site tonight while searching for information on what you all are talking about.  I actually found this particular site by reading posts from last summer about this very topic. I too have these "lumps" on my inner thighs.  The only thing that concerns me is that I have more than what it seems others have.  At some points in time both my thighs look black and bruised.  The first time my fiance saw them he freaked out.  I freaked out the first time I saw how black and disfigured they looked.  I thought it was cancer and I broke down and cried and had a panic attack in the shower.  I was going on a trip with a bunch of girlfriends who are nurses and I showed it to them.  My sister who was there and is a nurse of course was very concerned and told me to go see my physician.  Another friend told me they were ingrown hairs and that she "dug hers out" with a needle (OUCH! GROSS!)  Anyway, mine start out feeling like a small pimple or small lump under my skin and then raise up from the skin and spread out fairly large and turn a blackish-purple in the middle and deep red around the edges.  They become sensitive and then very painful to the touch.  After a day or two like this they begin to shrink and eventually flatten out, although the dark color stays in the center on several of them.  About a week or so later, they start again.  I first thought they were ingrown hairs but after reading the other post from last year, I know they are the sebacious(sp) cysts as I had one removed from my tailbone area 9 years ago, I just didn't tie it together as this is much different, although very similar, to that.  They are boil like, but unlike a boil that is a one time thing, these will continue to come back in most cases it seems.  I do plan on seeing my doctor about it next month but I was glad to find that it seems to be fairly common and hopefully not anything too serious.