Boils or cysts!

[Carolsos]

Ihave over 3 weeks had 7 boils on am embarrassing place and in the end went to the doctor's. When I rang up I was asked can I take a picture of them. I said no as it's in a unreachable place and embarrassing! I got a telephone appointment then when I spoke to the doctor she said I had to see her. I was pleased as I needed antibiotics. I saw her and she said it's a cyst! But I don't agree it feels like a boil and they were spreading. She had put me on clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day. She said don't take methotrexate while on these tablets as you could be ill!

I am hoping this medication works as I have been in agony. I have 3 boils one on top of the other. She said it's not a hair follicle, but a bad infection. Anyone else had these?

Take care.

[Lolabridge]

Oh poor you that must be so uncomfortable. Perhaps an inflatable rubber ring to sit on would help?! I hope the antibiotics help to clear them up quickly. 🤞

[Madmusiclover]

I’ve had a lot of trouble in that department. Very very painful. I was once diagnosed as having an infected pile. It was in fact an abscess. The doctor literally knocked on my door at night as she realised her mistake and I was admitted for an emergency operation there and then. If no improvement on antibios, I’d go back.

[Pippy25]

Oh bless you, it must be so uncomfortable to say the least. Good for you for insisting to be seen as I'm not sure asking for or even trying to take photos of your nether regions is satisfactory. Lolabridges idea of an inflatable rubber ring is good and hopefully will take some of the pressure off. Hope the antibiotics do the job and you feel much better soon. xx

[Carolsos]

Thank you everyone for your kind replies. I will let you now if the tablets work. Take care.

[oldtimer]

Bartolin's glands often get infected 'down below'. Have a look here to see if your fit this : nhs.uk/conditions/bartholin...

[Hidden]

I know what you are going through Carolsos as I have so often had these myself. I always tend to call them boils but am always told that they are cysts. I had them for years and they were spreading and increasing all the time. Eventually I felt that something needed to be done and showed them to one of the GPs at the surgery. She looked a bit shocked and said she had never come across any like that in all the years she had been a doctor.

In the end, about ten years ago I had to have an operation to remove them by cutting them all away. It wasn't so much painful after the op but it was difficult because there was a lot of blood to begin with and then it dribbled on for about two months. They had put stitches there but they all disintegrated over time and I had to go back to the hospital on several occasions.

After about two years I started to have some more come up but not the same amount as before and only a few. I had to recently show them to a doctor as they were very sore and I was told that one was infected and given antibiotics and antibiotic cream. I was told both by the surgeon and by the GP that once you have them you become prone to them. That is certainly true in my case as I have had some large ones on the tops of my legs and some tiny pimple like ones on my face particularly around my eyes.

I would advise you that if you have an op to remove them that you buy some big and very absorbent pads to wear for quite a time. Even them didn't soak it all up for the first few days but luckily my Dad had some incontinence pants and I used them for about three days. Sorry for all the details but I thought you would want to be prepared.

[skinclinic]

Hello Carolsos - what you are describing sounds like Hidradenitis Suppurativa . This condition is usually located in the area you mention and in the armpit areas. The reason a photo was requested was to try and see if what you were describing over the phone matched the diagnosis . As far as medication goes - your Dr is trying you on antibiotics and hopefully that will help the situation. But if you do not see much improvement it would be good if you could see a GP with an interest in Dermatology. As far as seeing a hospital Dermatologist; the waiting list can be very long and especially during Covid . Of course I am not a Doctor but I do see these sort of skin disruptions in my skin clinic . I hope you get this sorted ASAP as I know these lesions can be very painful and unsightly.

[Poshcards]

Aw, I feel for you, I have suffered like this for over 48 years now, so painful, I too have 7 or 8 in very personal places, I keep them covered, use germolene and wait for them to go bang xx