How to get rid of huge boil like spots - help!

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Just recently my upper back, neck and hairline have been getting sore, boil like spots that stay for weeks. They never come to a head and just subside then come back. I think it's hormonal? Is there anything I can put on them to ease them or make them go away/stop? Il nearly 37 and really not appreciating developing spots now :(

[Joinourclub]

I got prescribed some antibacterial team that helped my lumpy red spots.

[Trustyourself2]

I think it's something to do with bacteria in hair follicles, but a friend of mine gets them when she's very anxious. You might need antibiotics.

[Cartright]

It sounds like cystic acne. I would recommend seeing a doctor as they are both painful and the scars can take ages to fade. Unfortunately a lot of NHS doctors aren't great a skin stuff. They may give you antibiotics, for me personally Dianette worked better, but that's a hormonal pill which apparently they won't prescribe to over 35s.

Mine were predominantly hormonal, and I found Evening Primrose Oil 1000mg a day reduced their incidence. Salicylic acid toners (I use Nip +Fab dragon's blood, but there are others) help with general pore cleanliness and also to fade the marks.

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Thanks all, why would I be getting hormonal changes now? I had a baby about 2 years ago so figured everything would be settled until menopause! I'm slightly reluctant to go to doctors as currently only have 4, they're huge though, and I always get them in those 4 areas.

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Hormonal pill no good here, I did get similar spots in my mid twenties when on the pill and came off and they went. Not had them since despite 3 chn and therefore massive hormonal shifts.

[welshmist]

I had antibiotics for mine doctor said I was run down hence the boils so maybe get your bloods checked.

[PebbleTTC]

My husband gets them on his shoulders so I don't think it's a female hormone issue

[Trustyourself2]

They sound very sore. I've had a few painful acne boils in the past. It's not nice. Why don't you pop into to see a pharmacist tomorrow. They are very good at helping.

[Showmethewaytogohome]

Try magnesium sulphate paste. Very cheap and it works. Brings the boil to a head very quickly. Also be very scrupulous with hygiene when touching them and if when they pop treat with tea tree. No anti biotics needed unless really infected. But that is treating the symptoms
Mine were caused by hormones and not changing clothes quick enough after really sweaty exercise.

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

Interesting your husband gets them, they're really sore and I can't stop poking them which probably doesn't help. IM very conscious of them. Thank god they aren't on my face. Good idea re pharmacist, I probably should go to doctors too I gurss

[Silverstreaks]

Garlic mashed with sugar and kept in place with a plaster will draw anything out. Sounds weird but works. Its the only thing that took care of boils/blind spots whilst badly fed at boarding school.
Don't leave it on too long it'll burn the surrounding skin 😫

[SunsetBeetch]

I get these when I take any sort of fish oil supplement. They are awful! I found that tea tree oil was helpful in getting them to come to a head, then sudocrem for healing them.

[moretea]

I would second showme's suggestion of magnesium sulphate paste, at least as a try in the first instance. I've had these around my jawline and tried mag sulphur overnight, by the next morning they'd gone down alot and were no longer sore. They've not gone completely but a definite improvement. I find tea tree oil too drying on my skin which then makes it difficult to get a good coverage and finish with make up. Pretty fed up with having to deal with spots and wrinkles simultaneously.

[Kennington]

Check your shampoo and conditioner - I would be willing to put money on them being the cause. If they are too rich and siliconey.
Try switching and no conditioner for a couple of days and see if it improves.
It is the locations of the spots which makes it possible.

[AwaywiththePixies27]

Placemarking because I've developed these too and one is on my face. Had it since just after Christmas

I've been to the pharmacist & got cream and ended up at the doctors on their advice (obviously I didn't use an emergency appointment. the nurse gave me an antibiotic cream and it's still not gone.

[Wolpertinger]

If you are getting them on your back and neck, go and see your GP. You need a prescription product.

Pixies if you have been trying since Christmas, go back to the GP, ideally see if one of them has a derm qualification and see that one, and say it's not working.

[fiorentina]

I have these and was prescribed Duac cream by my GP, it does help. I would like to know how to prevent them though.

[Wolpertinger]

You can't really prevent them if they are hormonal which they mostly are. Your hormones are your hormones.

For back, neck and hairline acne it is worth thinking about your shampoo/conditioner as they may be setting it off, especially if they are silicone heavy.

Also your skin entirely renews itself every few weeks - which is why any treatment has to be done every day. The Duac is a preventer as it is acting on the new skin being developed to stop spots appearing. It's also why cleanser isn't going to get rid of your acne - it's not to do with your skin being dirty, the problem is deeper down.

Anything that you put on individual spots to make them go anyway is OK and great for emergencies but won't prevent new ones coming up as new skin is made.

[Truckingalong]

Blue light therapy sorted mine out after 15+ years of nothing working.

[LyndaLaHughes]

I've suffered from these on and off for years. I've found a miracle cure in the strangest form! It's actually metanium, the nappy cream. It works wonders.

[JaydensMom88]

@twolittleboysonetiredmum

Just recently my upper back, neck and hairline have been getting sore, boil like spots that stay for weeks. They never come to a head and just subside then come back. I think it's hormonal? Is there anything I can put on them to ease them or make them go away/stop? Il nearly 37 and really not appreciating developing spots now :(

Hi did you go to the doctors? it took me 3 years thinking theyve got worse things to be dealing with and not wanting to waste there time but it only got worse turns out i have hidradenitis suppurativa had no problems before the age of 30.. i was given courses of antibotics but ive now been refered to a dermatologist so im hopeful hope you took the step to if not please do i know how it can get you down.

[SinkGirl]

Bless you, I had the same last year. I found out I had a folic acid deficiency and the GP prescribed 5mg folic acid and my skin was horrific.

I was prescribed antibiotics but they didn’t do much and made me feel awful.

I ended up signing up to Dermatica and it has helped massively - still not perfect but haven’t had a single big painful spot for months now.

[OrangePowder]

I've always been prone to break outs but recently have started getting the kind of spots you describe. I'm 50.

I think it's a combination of things. I'm facing a very high stress situation atm, which had made my diet go to pot with a lot more sugar than usual and I suspect it's hormonal too.

This month I've been determined to eliminate refined sugar and so far (fingers crossed) it's been much better. Still a few spots, but not those horrible painful ones.

[Snowwhite83]

Sounds like Roaccutane would fix this but you'd need to see a dermatologist. Its not uncommon at this age. Im 37 so same age as you and also found spironolactone works as I didnt want to continue on the roaccutane. I wouldnt bother with topical stuff as its deep under the skin it wont touch it.