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

By Anonymous March 21, 2010 - 8:32pm
 
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Over the last few years I noticed boils, (armpits, breasts and groin area) usually a different area each month. These boils appear around the time that I would have had my periods. The boils on the groin are painful. I fear that a vein or vessel may get infected. Is there something which I could take, such as vitamins, foods, liquids?? to decrease the outbreak. I have been going through menopause for three years now, and do not care to take any hormone replacement drugs. My family doctor is aware of my condition, although I hesitate to show the boils on the groin area. What can you suggest in the line of natural threapy?

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Anonymous

I suffered for 10months with the same problem, abscesses/boils all over my body and i got them atleast once a week very painful red lumps which sometimes i pussed out or had drained if this seems similar to your problem then this is what i did... i got an appointment with a dermotologist (skin specialist) and he prescribe me some tablets called ERYTHROMYCIN, this was two weeks ago and i aint had one since, i went from having 2-3 a week to not one at all.. the best thing to do is see you doctor and ask them if its possible to put you on these tablets i mean you got nothing to lose it worked for me.. good luck :)

April 20, 2010 - 12:26pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

erythromycin is an antibiotic. becareful, because if you take too many antibiotics, they will eventually become ineffective.

May 14, 2010 - 7:56am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

i have Hidradenitis Suppurativa. it is awful, i have dealt with my pain for about 4 years now. I have a specialist that had put me on Accutane but as soon as i was taken off of the medication my boils started causing the same pain as before i got the medicine. The medication a lot of people are against but i thought it helped. U should let your doctor be aware of any boils u have. I have had many boils lanced off, painful but it really does help them go away. i am a firm believer that being obese has a major cause on this disease.
I recently heard that there is a women in Tennessee that has 10 steps to helping with this disease.. and i am working my hardest to get a hold of the list if i do i will post it. i also hear that she had over 200 and now only has 90 and her pain has decreased by 80 percent
(Personal email address removed by EmpowHER moderator)

March 24, 2010 - 11:42am

Hi Anonymous-

I'm sorry you are dealing with this condition. Hidradenitis Suppurativa is often a chronic condition that will come and go for years. You really should make your doctor aware of all the boils you have, because they can become infected if they aren't dealt with and can go from something small to something bigger.

This condition is getting more attention the last few years and is more common than was previously thought, but as of this time there is not really a cure. Ideally, you should find a physician who treats many of these cases, because not all docs are very familiar with it.

Here is a link to a good basic article on HS: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1073117-overview

I hope this helps a bit. I would definitely find a specialist to help you deal with this condition.

March 22, 2010 - 7:12am
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