Question:
I need some help or advice with these nasty skin problems....
Ever since I can remember, I have had skin problems in between my thighs, I'm sure some of you know what I'm speaking about, Blackheads, pimply like things, or if the proper terminology is BOILS!!! The skin in between my thighs is very discolored after years of being overweight. I will deal with the discolored skin, but what about the blackheads and boils. I'm grossed out even typing this, but I'm at my wits end. I have like 10 lbs to go before I reach goal, but have this problem riding me. This also appears in the underarm area. I don't know what to do.. Doctors don't know what to do. I feel like I can deal with anything, but BOILS???? The word even grosses me out. They make me feel like I have a disease of some sort. Anyone with any advice would be greatly appreciated. I of course would of preffered to post this anonomously, but I guess that feature is gone... Thanks all.... — Kristina P. (posted on March 11, 2002)
March 11, 2002
Have you gone to a dermatologist? They should be able to help. Good luck.
— garw
March 11, 2002
My GYN suggested that I use Phisoderm to wash with or another PH balance
cleanser. I know exactly what you are talking about. My sister is a Nurse
Practitioner and she says that some people are just "cystic
prone" If it gets too bad to tolerate, a good antibiotic treatment
will help. Talk to a dermatologist if this doens't help. It worked for me.
— Traci B.
March 11, 2002
My doctor told me to apply either rubbing alcohol, or betadine(iodine) just
before showering to the affected areas. Leave on for 1 minute then rinse
off in the shower. If done every other day, the boil problem should
disappear. It works! I have done this myself, and no longer have this
problem.
Good luck.
— gina L.
March 11, 2002
OK, I know this sounds odd. But an elderly lady passed on some advise to
my family back when I was a young girl. Eat raisens! For some reason I eat
quite a few raisins when I first get a boil and they go away and stay away
(usually for years!). If I just treat the boil without eating the raisens,
the boils keep coming back in the same area over and over and over. I have
NO idea why it works for me and others in my family but it seems to. It's
definately worth a try.
— Shelly S.
March 11, 2002
hi there i just thought i would mention that i also have skin dicoloration
in the pits area inner thighs and groin area i too thought this must be
from being obese but i was also suffering from irregular cycles when i had
a docs appointment she said all the physical signs would indicate i had
pcos polycystic ovary syndrome she did blod tests to verify and sure
enough this is what i have i cant say this is your case but i thought i
would mention it god luck to you
— carrie M.
March 11, 2002
You are expiriencing Hidradenitis Suppurativa (which is more common in
women than men) you can read about at www.skinsite.com
For unknown reasons, people with HS develop plugging or clogging of their
apocrine glands. This leads to bacterial infection which can produce pain
and odor.
It is made worse by being overweight, however this condition is not caused
by obesity. It is more common in people who have acne (this is why I feel
it is related to PCOS sufferers as myself and the previous poster) It may
become worse under stress and it is NOT caused by poor hygiene.
Not so sure about the raisin treatment, but there are treatments (but alas,
no cure such as PCOS) listed at the skin site.
If you want more information on PCOS, take a visit at www.soulcyster.com or
try
http://www.inciid.org/faq/pcos1.html#1.2
— Karen R.
March 11, 2002
As for those dark patches, they are called "acanthosis nigricans"
they are not to be ignored and usually indicate something is "up"
and needs attention.... While at AMOS do a search on PCOS, you may want to
rule it out!
— Karen R.
March 11, 2002
Any one of these condition could cause the AN, Here is a little more
information :
The hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans (HAIR-AN)
syndrome is an unusual condition that affects females. Persons with the
disorder usually present with obesity and insulin resistance during the
prepubertal period.1 About 1 to 3 percent of women with hyperandrogenism
are thought to have this condition, with many cases remaining undiagnosed.
Occasionally, patients with autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's
thyroiditis and Graves' disease also have HAIR-AN syndrome. Other
nonmalignant endocrine disorders with features of androgen excess include
Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, acromegaly and congenital
adrenal hyperplasia.2
— Karen R.
March 15, 2002
Hi! I have had this for a few years now. Previous doctors told me there was
nothing they could do short of "removing all your sweat glands".
Which I thought "WTF??" But at a pre-op appointment last week
where we were discussing my eceptionally low hemoglobin level the doctor
told me those others were wrong. This is a problem many people get. In
short it's an infection in the sweat glands. I currently have one really
bad one that's right below my hanging belly right where my c-section scar
is. The doctor put me on cephalexin (an anti0biotic), an ointment (bactoban
cream) to rub in my nose (Since sometimes these infections stick around due
to staph and/or strep bacteria that's living in your nose), and told me to
wash with dial or lever 2000 antibacterial soap. She said if these doesn't
work to go back b/c there are literally HUNDREDS of things that can be done
to clear this up, relieve the problems, etc. I would recommend seeing a
dermatologist. She told me if I this thing persister I'd most likely have
to since rightfully, dermatologists would have a better understanding of
how precisely to clear it up. Good luck to you! I know these are often
embarassing, painful, gross problems that plague us.
— Renee V.
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