I have had this problem as long as I can remember. 9 or 10 years old. Which is also the same time I got my first period. These have negativly affected my life in many ways. I will not wear a bathing suit ever... even if I was skinny! Intimacy is awkward because I prefer that no one see them. As I get older it seems that I'm getting less of the extremely painful large boils (still a few but not as many as my early 20's) but more of the small blackhead kind, hundreds of them. It doesn't hurt as much but is even (if that is at all possible) less attractive. I was diagnosed with PCOS 2 yrs ago but have only been self-diagnosed with H.S. I also seem to be getting more of them in my armpits than ever before and I've also started to get a line of them across my midsection... at the equator, on either side of the belly button. How awesome?
I have had this condition for years, I actually figured out I had this before I was diagnosed with PCOS. I wonder what the connection is--perhaps something hormonal?
Advice--as tempting as it may be, do NOT try to pick or pop these boils. They will spread and become increasingly painful.
Remedies--the best treatments (although there is no cure) are to sit in a warm bath for about 15-20 mins a day. I believe WebMD calls it a "sits bath". These help to minimize irritation, redness and puffiness. Also, hydrocortisone is helpful in a pinch.
I've dealt with the fact that I have this, but I'm still really self concious (especially during intimate times). Luckily, I've only gotten the stuff around my anus so far--hopefully they wont appear on my face, arms, or breasts. Does this condition spread??
Sorry to repeat myself, I have had these for a long long time, but as soon as I got my blood sugar under control, they practically went away altogether.
In two years I've had just one minor boil. So prevention is the best strategy:
* Avoid sugary foods
* Avoid processed carbs (all white breads, potatoes, etc.)
* Eat more veggies
* Exercise a bit more
I has made a huge difference to my HS. Try it! Totally worth it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by strawkisser
I have had this condition for years, I actually figured out I had this before I was diagnosed with PCOS. I wonder what the connection is--perhaps something hormonal?
Advice--as tempting as it may be, do NOT try to pick or pop these boils. They will spread and become increasingly painful.
Remedies--the best treatments (although there is no cure) are to sit in a warm bath for about 15-20 mins a day. I believe WebMD calls it a "sits bath". These help to minimize irritation, redness and puffiness. Also, hydrocortisone is helpful in a pinch.
I've dealt with the fact that I have this, but I'm still really self concious (especially during intimate times). Luckily, I've only gotten the stuff around my anus so far--hopefully they wont appear on my face, arms, or breasts. Does this condition spread??
Good luck to all my cysters!
__________________ M.
Meds: Only natural supplements, healthy eating & exercise
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I was just reading about all of this, I think this is what I have. I am getting married in Sept. and my "husband" has been wondering what the heck this was. I can't wait to tell him about this! Thanks to everyone.
I just took care of it and it was sick!!!!!!!!! Thanks for all the advice! I hope to get into see the Doc. sometime next week! I am relieved to have found this site!
I just want to add that I also have had HS for about 20 years since I first became overweight at about age 14. I did not have this condition before puberty. So far, the boils have been mainly in my armpits with some under my left breast. I also have acne on my behind but it is not like HS in that it is not cystic or boils. I think it is all interrelated and caused by excess testosterone. I also have pronounced hirsutism on my chin and neck area.
I have been treating my underarms with the Proactiv body wash and that worked pretty well in keeping new boils at bay. I have been using sulfar soap lately but I think that I need to switch back to the body wash.
Thanks everyone for sharing their experiences.
Pennie
I've had these for like forever! I originally just had them in my groin and upper inside thighs. Since I was doing some work experience at a vets, I appropriated some syringe needles. Nice and sharp and sterile. They work wonders for puncturing the cyst. I then use magnesium sulphate paste and bind it there with Mepore adhesive dressing. It draws all the crap out and works wonders. I now buy additional syringes on ebay. I always keep a few in preparation for the next boil.
I only started to get them behind the ears a few years ago. Right now I have one behind each ear. I cant lance these myself though. I'm just too squeamish about sticking a needle into my own head!! They get larger and then recede all the time. They are uncomfortable, but I just ignore them.
OMG I had no idea this had a name and was so common ... I get the boils always
Around my panties.. And once on my stomach... They r annoying and hurt like idk
What to pop... Not to mention how grosss the drainage is.. I'm glad this topic was brought
Up I feel very ... Informed lol
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Launi (22) & Brannon (27)
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Hi.. there... I have also skin problems but I really don't know if this is Hidradenitis Suppurative.... It was scaterred to my wholebody except my face.. It was started with red spot in my leg, arms and all over my body... very much itching.... Is this is also a related with my PCOS? sorry for my English....
Ladies, ladies. I have been told by several doctors I have PCOS. The first time I heard was in 2007, and I did so much research, it was mind-numbing. I'm a Diabetic, which is often related. I have been all my life, but just discovered in 2007. As you can imagine, it was not a fun year for a 17 year old girl.
So a few months after I was diagnosed, there arises a new symptom. Painful, irritated sores that sometimes became the size of golf balls. OMGosh, are these not the most painful, embarassing... skin conditions ever?
Then I'm told they're called boils... and I've had 12, 20 of these things on my body at once. I had one lanced, and ladies... let me tell you, that doctor surely remembers me to this day. The worst part is, it was on my tailbone, and for some unknown reason, he had to expose my whole bum! But that's besides the point...
Metformin is good for Diabetes as well as PCOS. I knew that a few years back. And now I see a lot of postings about how the Metformin helped to control this painful condition that I can't even pronounce.
After feeling like such a freak for so long, I see that there are hundreds of women on this site alone who deal with the same thing every day.
I'm so new and I don't understand the terminology such as "IR". I feel like I know nothing about this and now that I see that there are answers out there, I want them all!
I would love so much for one of you ladies to contact me, and perhaps be a mentor. My doctors don't tell me much and haven't done much about it. Recently, I lost my Medicaid... And I have no resources except for a lifetime supply or Metformin in my bathroom cabinet. Anyone with any advice or information is a Godsend.
Do not despair, we have all felt like you at some point or another.
It is a shocking thing to learn that you will have this condition for the rest of your life. However, there are also plenty of good news: you can live a full happy life because there is a lot you can do to help yourself.
The best advice I've ever had: control what you eat (avoid carbs, sugars, processed foods, take aways...), have more healthy foods: turkey, fish, pulses and grains, veggies & fruit. Cook for yourself, don't buy pre-cooked stuff, you never know what they put in it. And probably the most important of all: EXERCISE, as much as you can.
I can't even start to tell you how much exercise has helped me with all my symptoms including the boils.
Try these searches on the web: "PCOS exercise", "PCOS carbohydrates", "PCOS antioxidants", you'll see how much information is available to you.
__________________ M.
Meds: Only natural supplements, healthy eating & exercise
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I am new to this site but very interested in what i have just read. I am 21 years old and i am suffering greatly with Hidradenitis Supuritiva. Overall i have had it for only a year but have suffered alot in the last year. I have had about 15-20 lumps, some more painful then others.
The first batch have been under my right armpit, they came and went but got so bad that in the end i had to be referred to a specialist (yes my doctor isnt very good). The specialist put me on a course of Antibiotics which after taking them for about two days it seemed i was allergic to them. I went back 3 more times and found each one i rapidly became allergic to. I was finally put on something called Flucloxacillin which was brilliant. Cleared up the lumps within about a week. All was ok, until they came back again. This time with a vengance. I had about 3 under my right armpit, very big and very painful. After going back to the specialist rather upset he suggested as a last resort getting the lumps removed.
I had a final checkup before the op where only one of the three lumps had stayed. I underwent a very quick operation and was out of the hospital within 3 hours. I went home and stocked up on painkillers (as at this point i had a great big wound under my arm pit and it hurt )
Recovery was strange, sometimes it was the worst pain ever then other times it felt as thought nothing had happened. Went back to work the next week and thought everything was ok. My wound got infected a few times but nothing which the Flucloxacillin didnt budge. This was 3 months ago, and i am still getting lumps under my arm pit as well as my inner upper leg (yes it is extreamly uncomfortable).
I have been to the specialist tonight and he didnt even look at them on my leg, just checked out my armpit and said he would operate again. (Same arm pit as before, where i have a horrid scar). He told me when i am on the operating table he will asses the ones between my legs.
I had a good chat with him as i am getting rather concerned about this condition now. I also have PCOS, i was diagnosed with that also last year. I do not have regular periods, i am lucky to have 3 a year. I have noticed a cycle from this year alone. When and if i get stressed out (which i have had a pretty rough year so far) i tend to have a period, which is odd, then about 2 days after finishing my period i find one or two of these lumps appear. I mentioned this to the specialist today but he told me Hidradenitis Supurativa and PCOS are not related.
After looking this up on here tonight it tells me something different. I can see other people are suffering with both. Why are the doctors not helping me out? What possible treatment is there for both, any hormone tables?
I also have these awful things! My previous doctors diagnosed it as acne, but it is definitely HS. I have tried all kinds of things to help heal the affected areas and I have found some success with a combination of neosporin and desitin...I tried it on a hunch and is working so far. I use a little desitin at night when I sleep and then apply neosporin after my shower in the morning. I'm not a doctor, but It's working for me. I am also hoping that it will just go away as I lose weight and get my hormones in check.
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Losing weight & getting healthy first before TTC!
Metformin 1500 mg
New Chapter Prenatal-3 pills
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Omega 3 1000 mg
Calcium 1000 mg
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Lisa, I don't think many doctors know what this is.
Like many of you, I started having the boils on my panty line and inner thighs as soon as I started my period, at 10. Doctors back then could only suggest sitting in hot baths. I only heard the term "Hidradenitis Suppurativa" 4 years ago (20 years later!!!). These days they have spread to my INNER vaginal area, armpits, under the breasts, behind the ears, AND my scalp (mostly where it meets the back of my neck)!!!
I just started a diet 3 weeks ago (trying to eat only natural foods), started Maca and DIM 2 weeks ago, and DCI 11 days ago. The boils seem to have dried up--nothing in my scalp, behind the ears or under the breasts. Armpits cleared up and the big purple spots on my inner thighs seem to be turning brownish (like a healing bruise). The only thing lingering right now are all the blackheads on my inner thighs. I can live with that.
Despite the improvement, I am totally going to try the Tumeric!!!!
Thanks for sharing, Ladies!!!
__________________ Shelly (34) & Jason (36)
TTC off and on since 2000
Dx with PCOS (2001) and Hidradenitis Suppurativa (2005)
O'd with Metformin + Clomid in 2004 9/09: Started natural foods diet, Maca, DIM, DCI To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I may or may not be in the right place...I'm not sure, this is my first time here and posting. I was unsure as to wether or not to even join this site because although my GP + gynocologist both thought it likely that I have PCOS, I had an ultrasound done four days ago which revealed no cysts on my ovaries (only a fibroid on my uterus) and my blood tests that came back today for a hormone panel were all normal. There are two more results from the bloodwork that will take a few more days but from what they can see they are all normal levels. I am so completely confused and irritated. I have been experiencing pelvic pain and bloating for about 6 months now off and on, I have hirsituism, its not severe but mainly because my facial hair and hair on cleavage and knuckles is very pale blonde and fine. I have weight problems that are not from and never have been from over-eating and have developed acne after the age of 30 - i am now 32. I was in a monogamous relationship for 5 years and yet, I never got pregnant, even though I was not trying, looking back, that seems odd, especially since the man I was with had children prior to me, so it wasnt due to anything on his part. I have hidradenitis suppurativa. I have had it since i was 15. I was just recently diagnosed because for so long there was NO information available in regards to this condition. When it turned out that there may be a link between this and pcos, well my dr's and I really thought I had it. it seemed that I could go on birth control, maybe take some hormone medication (to be rid of the hair,cramps,acne, etc) and start to cope and at least have some explanations and a routine to follow.
but now...I'm not sure what to think or what it could be. I'm so confused. anyone been through any of this before?
Ugh... 
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