How long does hidradenitis suppurativa boils last, is this to be expected every month?

I am 58, and started get breast abcesses, boils AFTER Menopause! There are at least three at a time on each breast. I am so fed up of these. When I was young I would get boils in the underarm and groin area. For about a decade I was free of them all. Until I went into menopause and now these boils on breasts! HELP!

I am so glad that I started to research this god awful disease. I am 42 and have had these painful boils on my groin, when my menstrual cycle starts. I’ve had them on my armpits, under and on top of my breasts. However, the flare up was so bad recently that it prevented me from walking. I got such relief when it finally drained that I almost cried. This has been going on for twenty plus years and I’ve always just dealt with it. Im kind of glad that the pain was so bad this time. Forces me to finally have it treated. Thanks everyone!!!

I've had it for twenty five years. I've found that I need to eat no grains, no dairy, and no nightshides. It's pretty restrictive, but totally worth it. I have sores now, but they're all related to accidental ingestion. If I don't eat these foods, I don't get any flares.

Hey! Has anyone else posted on here recently? It's been a long time I know!

I have been suffering with this disease since I went through puberty. I am now 45 years old. I have only had one surgery and it didn't do much good. The boils will show up in one area for a few months (when I get my period) and then will shift to a different area of my body. It almost completely went away while I was pregnant with my son and came back after I gave birth. It was awful while I was pregnant with my daughter. I absolutely agree that it is hormonally linked and an endocrinologist may be more helpful than a dermatologist. Anything that will reduce inflammation in your body will be helpful.

It sounds like you have Hidradenitis supperative. I have had the condition for about 5 years now, Google it so see your options. And see if the symptoms match.

I suffered with boils during the time of my cycle as well and I put Boil ease on it as soon as I feel it. I use about a teaspoon twice a day after bathing and it goes away and doesn't get any larger. Before I started using the cream, the boil under my arm prevented me from putting my arm on my side.

I too have been dealing with this since puberty and I'm about to turn 30. I've tried everything except surgery and what I've found to be very helpful are the following;
- daily turmeric in pill form (make sure you get good stuff, not the vitamin shoppe crap...it should be a nice deep golden color, not bright yellow, Organic India is the brand I take and I order it online)
- Daily zinc supplements (make sure you eat with it because it can upset your stomach)
- most importantly I follow a gluten free diet...it makes it 1,000 times better and I only have flair ups when/if I eat gluten.
- also if you're dealing with a large spot, make a paste with the turmeric from the capsules and apply it directly to it, use medical tape to hold a gauze in place over it...if you do this before bed, by morning it should be open and draining...unless you have a huge spot like I do now, in which case, by morning it will have come to head...keep applying turmeric until it opens and then use a hot compress to encourage drainage and to keep it clean. Once it is open, stop apply turmeric directly on it and just continue taking the pill form.