To go the GP because of this...pic

[trangpak]

I've always had mild acne on my face. Usually big angry spots that flare up every so often. I have a few scars because of them which I can cover with some make up. In the last few months I've been getting more spots/boils in random places. I can't squeeze anything out of them. They could even be small cysts as I can get hold of them and feel how big they are. In a week or so they gradually get smaller and almost disappear and I have discoloured skin left (which I assume will fade over time).

I know it's not urgent but I'm getting so fed up of these things appearing over my body randomly. They most usually appear in my groin area, behind my ears or in my neck.

Any ideas?

I've attached a pic of the latest one that appeared as a small spot a week or so ago and has now turned into a lump which I can get hold of.

It may be hidradenitis suppurativa,

It could be HS www.nhs.uk/conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Have a chat with your GP if it is as there are treatments to help x

Go to the GP and ask for Duac, it's amazing. Make sure it's the 10% + 50% (the strong one)

How low is your iron? Was it ferritin they checked? If so you really want it to be about mid range. I had to see a dermatologist because of some skin issues I was having and even he said that my ferritin of 30 at the time was too low even though that is well in range.

My ferritin had been as low as 8.

I would take some iron supplements.

This happened to me once, and washing all bedding in 60degree plus on a long cycle made it go away..

Your gp could put you on a course of strong antibiotics and prescribe Adapelene cream for your face. It's definitely worth making an appointment, it must be miserable for you. If it's hormonal, the contraceptive pill can help a lot.

I don't understand the glee at spots. Whatever floats your boat I suppose.

I'm also going with hidradenitis. I have it and it leaves the discoloured patches

Are they sore? With your face I would be tempted to use acnecide but start with a tiny bit and moisturise well after. Works great on my face. For other areas I wash with diluted hibiscrub or dettol bar soap, wherever I am prone to them

Yes I've had brilliant results with Acnecide too Ollivander. You can buy that OTC in chemists, Boots, Superdrug etc.

Those look like some my toddler had on her inner thighs. They would flare up and then after a week they would fade and leave darkened skin like scars. I took her to the doctors after it happened for a few months. It was a skin infection and two treatments of anti biotics and it hasn't come back.

Have you had a full STI screening, inc. bloods recently?

Yes, see GP. My other half is a GP and he finds this sort of thing very satisfying to deal with (and a totally appropriate reason for an appointment).

I have similar 'spots' appear around my chin every few months. They're hard, quite painful and were diagnosed as hormone related - being pregnant gave me the best ever skin!i did try a cream but it bleached everything it touched which was a bit scary. Squeezing them is pointless and usually just results in a bigger, bloody, painful lump. Keeping my skin super clean and hydrated during an outbreak can really help but definitely have a chat with your doc to see what your options are.

It's the benzoyl peroxide that bleaches everything but it's very effective in preventing spots. I've bleached my eyebrows in the past and a really nice purple towel.

Silicia homeopathic tablets cured blind boils I was getting on my back. I usually go straight for hard core conventional medicine but I was told about this and it worked completely and very quickly. Boots and H&b sell it.

Best to go to the doctor, incase you need antibiotics. It looks sore.

You mention them in the groin too. Could be HS?

Have you been tested for coeliac? There's a relationship with HS, and other skin conditions.

If coeliac test is negative, give a PROPER 100% gluten free diet a go for a couple of months, you may find this reduces or even cures, your (possibly) HS and cystic acne.

I haven't had a single groin or underarm cyst since about 6 months after I went gluten free a number of years ago (other skin complaints disappeared within a couple of weeks but the cysts took a little longer, although the number of them started to drop almost right away).

I wouldn't squeeze it or stick anything in it to pop it. You risk spreading infection if you do. If they are usually round your neck and groin, could they be lymph related? Don't think it would be unreasonable to see your gp.

Could ask a pharmacist about treating most skin conditions, too, easier to get an appointment for one thing!

@bbpp the last time was 4 years ago when the midwife tests routinely

Do go the the GP. I had something similar recently that started as a sore looking spot on my bikini line, which then turned into a full sized gold ball shaped fanny abscess over night. Not pleasant! Get it checked.

I've had a bit of a pick/squeeze. Has a bit of runny yellow pus and some blood. Nothing more would come out after that. It's been hurting ever since...wondering if it may go infected?

Try to keep it clean and apply some antiseptic cream eg savlon, Sudocrem.
Probably best to leave it alone if it's sore!