The abcesses can be big and they are very painful. I had one on my bum and it was as big as an orange according to the doctor! They dont have a head on and sometimes get so bad it is necessary to go to hospital and get them incised. I spent 3 days in hospital once. They take them seriously because they can cause major infection in the body and lead to septacemia. HS is considered fairly rare but I think a lot of people are not diagnosed. I was only diagnosed because a friend of mine had it.
They usually start mainly in one place and under arms most common. Though mine started on top of my inner thighs and has now spread to my stomach. The usual treatment is long term antibiotics.
It is not curable and can progress like COPD. I have been virtually clear of them for about 2 years now for which I am eternally grateful. My friends was so bad she had to have plastic surgery.
As far as I know its not related to COPD or any form of lung disease. No one seems to know what causes it. x
Hi, I also suffer with this to. Last year was so bad and painful that I had to go to the drs, they said that I had picked this up due to working with the public. Put me on very high Medication to clear it up. When my breathing got bad I asked if it was all related as I read on like it could hit the lungs but gp said no. I got told I had COPD a couple of mths ago. I still suffer with the boils etc which also started on my inner thighs.
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So sorry to hear that Mandy1965. Its a horrible thing isnt it? Have you been officially diagnosed with HS? If you keep getting recurrant infections your doctor should put you on permanent antibiotics to try and keep it under control. The trouble with HS is that it can cause scarring under the skin in the deeper layers and can lead to cellulitis. The infection can then travel more easily from site to site. I had several boils which kept coming up and then going down. I got them incised under local anaesthetic and they havent come back up.
HI hypercat Thanks for answering. I am pleased I asked the question as had never heard of your condition before and was curious and hopefully maybe the answer could help other people. Although I am sorry for you though we have enough to contend with with the copd and do not need further complications......So pleased to hear you been virtually clear for 2 years and that your good sense of humour shines though. Take care breathe easy xxxxx( would do a line of yellow smilily faces) but computer dumbo and can't do them).
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