To be sick of boils in private area (might be TMI)

[NewfoundlandProvince]

I’ve name changed for this. About four times a year I will get a boil on the skin between anus and vagina. It’s always painful, lasts about 10 days then breaks on its own & I get immediate relief.

I shower daily and clean everywhere down there with mild unscented soap. I make sure to dry very thoroughly. I do not shave that area. I wear cotton undies and don’t wear tight clothes. I use paper free toilet paper (bamboo).

About 10 days ago I got one in the same area. This one is a different ball of wax. It’s big, about the size of a ping pong ball cut in half, firm and red. I was in such agony and I know you aren’t supposed to do this that I tried draining it myself only it didn’t drain. It bled drops at a time but never drained. I ended up going to Urgent Care (USA) and the nurse practitioner said it wasn’t going to drain, to use hot compresses on it and gave me oral antibiotics.

I’m supposed to go traveling next week and the thought of being in an airline seat with this pain is creating real anxiety! Plus the fact I’m walking oddly because of where it’s located. If anyone else gets these I’d be very grateful for any ideas to prevent another one to to get me through this agony. Thank you!

MSSA-PVL

HS affects 1-2% of the population, more common in smokers. Tends to go away after Menopause which suggests it’s hormonal, however, it’s a poorly researched condition and takes a long time to get diagnosed with. I’d suggest asking for a referral to dermatology

It could also be a perianal fistula tract as well as other suggestions. I would ask your GP to examine you and refer if appropriate.

I quit smoking and needed my first surgery on my HS. Was almost tempted to start again!
Genetics too, my mum had it, never smoked. I started with it about 13

It sounds like it could be a fistula.

If you're getting swabbed, also ask to be tested for MRSA. A few months into an appalling flareup of boils that was (mis)diagnosed as HS, I went back to the GP with a very sore nose. It was swabbed and found to be MRSA, so I was given an antibiotic ointment reserved for confirmed/serious MRSA cases. My nose stopped hurting and amazingly, the boils stopped appearing. I haven't had another in 14 years.

Most definitely HS, i've suffered with it for around 15 years and only got diagnosed after seeing a dermatologist privately. Even the expensive antibiotics he presribed didn't help.

I took ibuprofen one day at work as i had run out of paracetamol and what a difference! They really do help with the inflammation pain. Try that and also definitely use Hibiscrub as others have suggested - I get mine from Amazon, it's cheaper if you buy a huge 5 litre bottle and it will last for ages.

Stress causes my HS to flare up not sure if that's an issue for you? Good luck, it is a miserable and debilatating conditon.

2 things I've found by trial and error that work for me. Low retinol serum the minute I feel one coming on - usually disappears over night if i get it early, but always stops it getting to the large and painful stage. When i asked the dermatologist, she said could be used as a preventative too. And for no logical or medical reason whatsoever: Raspberry Ketone supplements greatly reduces (!!!) the frequency. Tried them for weight lose (which didn't work) but noticed this fabulous side effect. Dermatologist just said if it works it works so just keep taking them.

I had one of these last week, everyone said herpes but I took my vagina and vulva off to the doctors and she said bartholin's cyst.