Help - boils! *PHOTOS INCLUDED*

[AshamedandEmbarrassed2019]

NC as I'm so embarrassed.

My inner thighs are covered in boils. Well, that's what I assume they are. They flare up sometimes and are really painful but then they go back to how they are in the photos, like dormant volcanoes. I don't think it's worth going to the GP, I'd rather solve it myself than use up an appointment unless it's needed of course. Does anyone have any remedies? To me, they look like they've scarred my skin and are there forever :(

Gosh that looks so sore. I would have thought a GP is exactly what you need?? Some cream or antibiotics surely?

Please get an appointment with either the nurse or GP, as antibiotics will clear that up in a few days.
Don't try to squeeze them, I did with a boil and it went from a few cms wide to around 10cm!!

You can try hot baths in salty water for a few days, they may open up.

Get a few bags of Epsom salts. Chuck half a bag in your washing machine drum with some towels and put on a hot wash. Do this a few times to sterilise your machine.

For the staphylococcus rash I say fill the bath with enough water, half a bag of Epsom salts to cover the legs every night for about 20 minutes but I'm not sure when they turn into boils.

I'd definitely do the washer thing though. Asap.

This looks like the same problem that I have but on the underside of my breasts. I was at the hospital last week getting a scan just to be sure but was told not to worry as it was all in the skin tissue. They also said there was nothing that could be done about them it's because I have large breasts and get quite hot and sweaty especially at work which causes them to flare up and be sore sometimes! But I would go and get checked if you are worried.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/
It could be this

You need antibiotics.

I know someone who had the exact same thing.

Her thighs are not skinny and rub together when walking, and she found that sometimes when wearing tight clothing like jeans, that these would appear. She too thought they were boils at first, but then realised they were like large spots, but without a head. She also said that when she tried to squeeze them, she nearly passed out with the pain.

To get rid of them she rubbed a mix of germolene cream and t-tree oil onto them every day, morning and night, and massaged the whole area too to get her circulation going, and she also started wearing looser fitting clothing.

Within a week or so the spots went down, and a few months later they faded to nothing.

Thanks for all the replies. I will make a GP appointment and in the meantime, I'll do the bath salts thing and try germolene and tea tree oil.

If this is a recent problem the GP might want to test for diabetes.

I am a consultant dermatologist.

I agree this could be hidradenitis suppuritiva Grade 1 disease (ie mild). I see this as an increasingly common condition. It is commoner in women and is associated with smoking and being overweight/diabetic, but can also be seen in those with inflammatory bowel disease.

Usual caveat. Assessment in person needed for full accuracy.

I saw a nurse this morning and she prescribed antibiotics. She said I don't need to take them until it flares up if I don't want to but I might start them now. She also suggested a shower emollient cream. It has finally given me a kick up the arse to start losing weight aswell.

I'm going to look into this hidradenitis suppurativa too though. Thanks.