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Red Bumps With White Heads On Body, Taken Antibiotics For Folliculitis, Itching, Burning, Taking Antihistamine. What Can I Do?
Question: I have red bumps with white heads on my body, I've had many types of anti biotics for re-occuring Folliculitus. I aslo was treated 7 months ago as they thought it was scabies, but daily I still get these small bumps, have been given more anti biotics now, but whilst on them I have had more bumps come up...what can I do? I am not itching them at night, I can sleep,but when they come up they are quite itchy and feels like a stingy burning sensation...I am also taking 120mg of antihistermines to avoid reactions. It all started last July, I went to Majorca, and had a heat rash, by the time I returned, my legs and hands were covered in small bumps. I left it all to calm down naturally. A few weeks later I went to the doctos and said I had bumps, as I had suffered with Folliculitus before they gave me anti biotics, this did not work so I went back, the nurse then said it maybe Scabbies, because I had intense itching in my pubic area, so I was given a treatment to use twice over 7 days. I then washed and cleaned all linen in hot washes and dryers. After a few weeks I returned to the doctors as these pimples get re-occuring, they are red with white heads, mainly on the suface of my upper arms on the outside, and on my chest boobs and on the front of my lower legs below the knee downwards....I don't have intense itching now on my skin, but the pimples are still re-occuring daily, I do have XXXXXXX piles where I have very intense itching over night, but not external itching it's all XXXXXXX
Also, I used to have daily hot baths, it's been a year, I am not able to have a bath or shower, the pimples get irritated, I am simply washing myself with cold water and dermol treatments. I have not used the dermol treatment on my pubic area as that seemed to make it worse, but that area has been fine now for weeks, there is no itching there. It's mainly my legs, chest and arms, but not in the folds, just on the surface, I can tell that this is something that can be recitfied but don't know how...I want my skin back and to be able to sun bathe!! I am becoming quite depressed with all these anit biotics, I 've been on them now for a year or so. There is no bumps or itching to my head or face, it's just neck down. Lately I get very irritated around the neck area, I feel it stinging like I am getting small red bumps, I think they may be a reaction to antibiobitics hence I'm taking the 120mg antihistermines. Daily my neck stings, but there is no itching there overnight it's quite calm.
Also, I used to have daily hot baths, it's been a year, I am not able to have a bath or shower, the pimples get irritated, I am simply washing myself with cold water and dermol treatments. I have not used the dermol treatment on my pubic area as that seemed to make it worse, but that area has been fine now for weeks, there is no itching there. It's mainly my legs, chest and arms, but not in the folds, just on the surface, I can tell that this is something that can be recitfied but don't know how...I want my skin back and to be able to sun bathe!! I am becoming quite depressed with all these anit biotics, I 've been on them now for a year or so. There is no bumps or itching to my head or face, it's just neck down. Lately I get very irritated around the neck area, I feel it stinging like I am getting small red bumps, I think they may be a reaction to antibiobitics hence I'm taking the 120mg antihistermines. Daily my neck stings, but there is no itching there overnight it's quite calm.
Hello and thanks for the query.
Recurrent folliculitis may be due to auto-infection or a vicious cycle where drainage of the bacteria from one area on the body is spread to another area of the body via touching, clothes, bed linens, or towels.
Staphylococcal aureus or simply called as STAPH is the causative bacteria for recurrent folliculitis.
Staph can also be passed easily between persons, and staph can be acquired from animal contact. Healthcare facilities (including clinics and hospitals,) team/contact sports, hot tubs, whirlpools, and gymnasiums have also been implicated.
Your problem seems to stem from recurrent staph infection.
In such a situation, it may be well worth your time to try the following hygienic strategies:
1 Bathe, or even better, shower at least twice a day. Studies have clearly shown that showering at least 14 times per week decreases the chances of staph infections. Use an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, or any of the XXXXXXX soaps like Irish Spring. Plain soap such as Ivory is also very good. If your skin is excessively dry after using this type of soap, try using a moisturizing soap afterwards or apply a lotion after you bathe or shower. Special antibacterial soaps such as Hibiclens may be used, but they are usually not necessary, and they may be quite expensive. Apply whatever soap you use to your entire body from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet, rinse, and repeat. Make sure you wash the area around your genitals and anus very well. Do not share wash clothes or towels with other people. If you only do one thing to decrease staph problems, showering with lots of soap is the KEY!
2 Wear clothes for one day at a time only. Wash clothes in warm water with detergent (and a small amount of bleach if possible.) Repeated washings, large amounts of bleach, the use of hot water, or the addition of other disinfectants is NOT necessary.
3 Change and wash your bath towel several times per week.
4 Change and wash your bed linens several times per week.
5 Wash your hands frequently or use an antibacterial liquid (Purell and others) on your hands several times per day, particularly after you touch your wounds, your bandages, your clothes, your towels, or your bed linens.
6 Avoid "picking" at scabs, wounds, or skin bumps.
7 If your pet has crusty or oozing wounds, you may need to seek treatment for your pet from a veterinarian.
8 Avoid contact with other persons who do not practice good hygiene and with persons who have folliculitis/furuncles/carbuncles.
9 Wash your hands and take a shower after using public exercise/recreational facilities and after you engage in any contact sports such as football, soccer, rugby, or basketball.
10 Wash your hands and take a shower after all sexual intercourse.
11 Avoid sharing soap or other hygiene products with other people.
12 For best results, everyone in your household should follow these same guidelines.
Although it is a lot of work, it will probably be necessary to continue these activities until all of your staph infections are completely healed and then for some time.
I hope you should be alright with these measures however you may discuss the possibility of reduced immunity in you,with your doctor as low immunity may result in recurrent folliculitis.
I hope to have answered your query however you may revert to me for any other query.
Best of luck.
Thanks
Recurrent folliculitis may be due to auto-infection or a vicious cycle where drainage of the bacteria from one area on the body is spread to another area of the body via touching, clothes, bed linens, or towels.
Staphylococcal aureus or simply called as STAPH is the causative bacteria for recurrent folliculitis.
Staph can also be passed easily between persons, and staph can be acquired from animal contact. Healthcare facilities (including clinics and hospitals,) team/contact sports, hot tubs, whirlpools, and gymnasiums have also been implicated.
Your problem seems to stem from recurrent staph infection.
In such a situation, it may be well worth your time to try the following hygienic strategies:
1 Bathe, or even better, shower at least twice a day. Studies have clearly shown that showering at least 14 times per week decreases the chances of staph infections. Use an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, or any of the XXXXXXX soaps like Irish Spring. Plain soap such as Ivory is also very good. If your skin is excessively dry after using this type of soap, try using a moisturizing soap afterwards or apply a lotion after you bathe or shower. Special antibacterial soaps such as Hibiclens may be used, but they are usually not necessary, and they may be quite expensive. Apply whatever soap you use to your entire body from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet, rinse, and repeat. Make sure you wash the area around your genitals and anus very well. Do not share wash clothes or towels with other people. If you only do one thing to decrease staph problems, showering with lots of soap is the KEY!
2 Wear clothes for one day at a time only. Wash clothes in warm water with detergent (and a small amount of bleach if possible.) Repeated washings, large amounts of bleach, the use of hot water, or the addition of other disinfectants is NOT necessary.
3 Change and wash your bath towel several times per week.
4 Change and wash your bed linens several times per week.
5 Wash your hands frequently or use an antibacterial liquid (Purell and others) on your hands several times per day, particularly after you touch your wounds, your bandages, your clothes, your towels, or your bed linens.
6 Avoid "picking" at scabs, wounds, or skin bumps.
7 If your pet has crusty or oozing wounds, you may need to seek treatment for your pet from a veterinarian.
8 Avoid contact with other persons who do not practice good hygiene and with persons who have folliculitis/furuncles/carbuncles.
9 Wash your hands and take a shower after using public exercise/recreational facilities and after you engage in any contact sports such as football, soccer, rugby, or basketball.
10 Wash your hands and take a shower after all sexual intercourse.
11 Avoid sharing soap or other hygiene products with other people.
12 For best results, everyone in your household should follow these same guidelines.
Although it is a lot of work, it will probably be necessary to continue these activities until all of your staph infections are completely healed and then for some time.
I hope you should be alright with these measures however you may discuss the possibility of reduced immunity in you,with your doctor as low immunity may result in recurrent folliculitis.
I hope to have answered your query however you may revert to me for any other query.
Best of luck.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi
I have tried washing many times a day before, this was make the pimples worse and more irritating, the GP said I shouldn't be washing this many times and allowing my body oils to come through as my skin is drying out. I had a shower this morning, and I have many more pimples since. I do wash my linen, towels after every use, and do not use same towel for hair, or share it. I wash my bed linen twice a week, and I do not have any pets, I am not actively in a relationship so not having any body contact. If I bathe, my pubic area is very irritated and itchy..it's unbearable, I cannot have a bath or shower this many times..
I have tried washing many times a day before, this was make the pimples worse and more irritating, the GP said I shouldn't be washing this many times and allowing my body oils to come through as my skin is drying out. I had a shower this morning, and I have many more pimples since. I do wash my linen, towels after every use, and do not use same towel for hair, or share it. I wash my bed linen twice a week, and I do not have any pets, I am not actively in a relationship so not having any body contact. If I bathe, my pubic area is very irritated and itchy..it's unbearable, I cannot have a bath or shower this many times..
Hello
I have a feeling that you have attempted all these measures but probably not that many times,as I have described you.
I hope that if you do this sincerely,you may become alright.
Best of luck
Thanks
I have a feeling that you have attempted all these measures but probably not that many times,as I have described you.
I hope that if you do this sincerely,you may become alright.
Best of luck
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi
I have taken your advise, and now have very itchy red pimples all over arms and legs, they are stinging. I don't think washing this regular has helped at all. Please advise. I have carried out all above measures for months now, apart from washing or bathing twice a day, and that has irritated it in the past and has done the same again now. please advise.
I have taken your advise, and now have very itchy red pimples all over arms and legs, they are stinging. I don't think washing this regular has helped at all. Please advise. I have carried out all above measures for months now, apart from washing or bathing twice a day, and that has irritated it in the past and has done the same again now. please advise.
Hello
I still maintain that you should continue your shower twice daily along with other measures advised to you.
In the short term you are bound to suffer these problems and that is the reason,a person is unable to continue them.
As you have already seen,all the antibiotics you have taken in past haven't produced any result.
For itching,you may take some anti allergic daily in the night for next 2 to three weeks.
I hope patience and regularity in following the instructions shall bear the fruit.
Best of luck.
Thanks
I still maintain that you should continue your shower twice daily along with other measures advised to you.
In the short term you are bound to suffer these problems and that is the reason,a person is unable to continue them.
As you have already seen,all the antibiotics you have taken in past haven't produced any result.
For itching,you may take some anti allergic daily in the night for next 2 to three weeks.
I hope patience and regularity in following the instructions shall bear the fruit.
Best of luck.
Thanks
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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