Wounds on my fat legs making me feel disgusting

[Fatthighproblems]

I posted before about a wound I had on my inner thigh that I thought was being caused by chafing due to my leg. It is still in the process of healing, but since more have developed, some still growing and another that popped this evening.

I explained I am fat in my last post and tried to act like all is fine but truth be told I hate my body. I have always been slim until I suffered absolutely horrific PND, paired with PCOS.

Gone from a size 10 to a size 26 in free years and just hate what I’ve become. No confidence at all and have been told I am pre-diabetic. I’m currently trying to lose weight and be more active but I know I’ve got a long road ahead of me.

The added stuff that comes with being this weight affects me, feeling unhealthy but my face being fat, sweating easily, having bad stretch marks, the body I once felt confident in is no longer mine.

My legs are making me feel even worse at the moment. I asked my partner to take a full photo so I could see how bad it was and it’s very unsightly.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what they are? They are kind of wobbly, feel like blisters with fluid in them. Is there anything other than chafing that could cause them? They leave visible holes in my legs until they heal (last one was bigger than latest one). Anything I can do other than chafing shorts (because I find them super uncomfortable)? Anyone else experienced them too? :(

*three years!

Have you shaved the area in the photo cos it looks a bit like ingrown hairs to me.

@Smartiepants79 Nope I haven’t x

If they leave holes that sounds like abscesses op, which can lead to sepsis which is life threateningly serious.

I’m not sure what it is, may well be infections caused by rub, in which case switch to natural fibre trousers.

Please ring the GP to get it seem tomorrow

They can also refer you to a weight loss service and advise you on your low mood

You should see the GP, my teen daughter had spots all over her thighs which I was really concerned about and turned out it was acne!
The GP will likely know what it is and a good treatment x

It looks a bit like hidradenitis suppurativa, I think it would be worth making a GP appointment or at least sending an E consult

So sorry you’re getting these. My DH suddenly started getting similar - turned out he has Type 2 Diabetes (infections appear and are hard to heal).
As PP have mentioned, please go to see your GP - if there is an underlying problem they’ll be able to help you!

They look like boils to me. I’d see the GP or if GP hard to get into do a consult with a pharmacist in meantime. The GP might want to put you on oral antibiotics as that lump looks pie one under the skin and the bacteria that causes boils can spread under the skin. The pharmacist can prescribe you antibiotic cream or ointment to clear up the boils.

You need to use fresh bath towel every day- do not share. And wash bedding frequently. Plus try and stop the chafing if you can.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321082#treatments

Your weight has gone up very quickly, I’d ask the GP to check your thyroid function and do other blood tests.

Please see the GP. As a skinny teenager I had a series of boils that just spread. I had antibiotics and they went away.

I'm sorry youre suffering like this, sounds like youre having a shit time. I guess if the spots have come with the weight, then yes they need treatment, but the cause needs tackling, otherwise theyll just come back wont they. Have you tried 'Slimming World'? Might be just the support you need. Its very non judgemental and it really works for lots of people. Best of luck 💓 (ps. Not an agent! 😄)

I have HS and was going to say the same thing.

I have had these before (they tend to be more numerous when I'm overweight). I believe it is caused by chafing causing micro tears in the skin which allows surface bacteria in. I believe you can get antibiotics to help (some people have more of the specific bacteria than others). I used to use alcohol wipes. And draw any big boils out with magnesium sulphate. Although losing weight was the most effective treatment, but I still get the odd one.

You need to see your GP it could be a Staph infection amongst other things. Something simple like a course of antibiotics may be all you need to clear it up. Have you enrolled on one of the courses for pre-diabetes they will go over how to adapt your diet to help stabilise your blood sugars which will help your healing too.

Hi OP, you have my sympathies and hugs, pain and lessening confidence is hard. It looks very similar to the hidradenitis suppurativa I have.
It took me three emergency surgeries to eventually have a tentative diagnosis from a locum GP, before I had a referral to Dermatology who confirmed and started me on actual effective treatment.
Not many GPs seem to have knowledge of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), not sure why. Mine was in an atypical area, across stomach, so even less likely for an easy diagnosis.
I found heat and tight clothing really inflame it. Once on effective treatment, the scars do subside.
Good luck, if you do approach your GP, taking information and asking for a dermatology referral may be your best option.

Diabetic ulcers?

Looks like staph, my husband had this, he needed two courses of non standard antibiotics to clear it. It is pulled hairs /chafing but then with the staph bacteria in your skin, turns into those boil type things, very tender, very painful and leave scars.

Re the chafing, I can 100% recommend Lanacane Gel.

The positive thing is that you can do something about this. You do not have to accept it.
Make an appointment with the GP tomorrow, you might think 'Oh, it's just boils, I don't want to bother them' but they can give you all manner of stuff for this which works quickly. You deserve treatment so jolly well make that appointment!
WRT weight loss, it might help to reframe your thoughts from 'dieting to lose weight' to 'eating correctly to make sure I don't develop diabetes' or 'choosing the correct food my body needs to stay healthy'. Diabetes is a pain in the arse (to put it mildly) and just causes all sorts of bother. Not just from a health perspective but there's all that faffing around with chiropodists, monitors and appointments. Time you could potentially be spending on enjoying yourself or relaxing. You'd be doing yourself a massive favour by avoiding all that.

Are you or could you be anaemic OP? I had similar when I was at my worst and they only went when I got that sorted. Try and get some blood tests done via the GP.

Looks and sounds very much like a staph infection, please get it looked at. You deserve to feel well and healthy.

Folliculitis maybe? Use an antibacterial wash twice a day and try to keep it clean and dry. Make sure you are wearing clean pants every day (I'm Aussie, so I mean trousers) but honestly go and see a Gp because you might need antibiotics to clear it up.

I hope you can get your leg sorted op. No experience on that side but just wanted to say the following.

You’ve been through so much with PCOS and PND and I hope you are ok I’ve also put on a lot of weight recently and looking to make changes so I might have a bit of knowledge of how you feel. I’m not an hcp but I’ve read a book which emphasised how it’s totally doable to come back from pre diabetes (by Professor Taylor). Sending you lots of support for your journey.

His book is called Life without diabetes and he just got an MBE for his work on helping people reverse pre diabetes and diabetes

Re the weight - have you talked to your doctor about Wegovy / Ozempic? I would have thought you’d be a priority case…

Same here, would also suggest you investigate hidradenitis suppurativa as a possibility. Be nice to yourself 💕