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What Causes Skin Boils In Underarms?
Question: Hello doctor. I have been facing this problem of getting boils in underarms for last ten years. I have consulted several dermatologist and no remedy so far. Once in a while the boils grow in size and stays long till it heals. Doctors say its hidradenitis. I never know how I was struck with this type of skin condition. Now being a father, am feeling really stressful and worried for not able to play with him. Recently almost for two months I didn't have boils. But since past fours boils appear in small sizes and stays on. Its causing severe discomfort. Kindly suggest me remedy. Will I pass this to my life and son?
Brief Answer:
Recurrent Boils or Hidradenitis suppurativa
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I would keep a possibility of recurrent furuncle/Boil OR Hidradenitis suppurativa(HS). HS is not contagious.
Furuncle/Boil is bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissue whereas Hidradenitis Suppurative is a disease of the apocrine sweat glands bearing sites like perineaum, axilla, areola etc where the inciting factor is follicular occlusion with secondary bacterial colonization. HS is also associated with scarring from previously healed lesions and sinus tracts. This is quite distinctive of HS
The best way to approach is to start on an empirical oral antibiotic for a week OR 10 days (My choice of oral antibiotic would have been Amoxycillin 500mg in combination with clavulanic acid 125 mg, thrice daily, for a week OR Cephalexin 500ng thrice daily OR Cefadroxil 500mg twice daily, for a week). This would take care of the infection. Some times antibiotics may be required to be continued for a longer duration.
An OTC antibacterial cream/ointment e.g 2% mupirocin can be applied twice daily.
An OTC pain killer e.g ibuprofen once or twice daily would help you deal with the pain.
I would also suggest a blood sugar test to rule out diabetes.
Avoid shaving in that area.
Regards
Recurrent Boils or Hidradenitis suppurativa
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I would keep a possibility of recurrent furuncle/Boil OR Hidradenitis suppurativa(HS). HS is not contagious.
Furuncle/Boil is bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissue whereas Hidradenitis Suppurative is a disease of the apocrine sweat glands bearing sites like perineaum, axilla, areola etc where the inciting factor is follicular occlusion with secondary bacterial colonization. HS is also associated with scarring from previously healed lesions and sinus tracts. This is quite distinctive of HS
The best way to approach is to start on an empirical oral antibiotic for a week OR 10 days (My choice of oral antibiotic would have been Amoxycillin 500mg in combination with clavulanic acid 125 mg, thrice daily, for a week OR Cephalexin 500ng thrice daily OR Cefadroxil 500mg twice daily, for a week). This would take care of the infection. Some times antibiotics may be required to be continued for a longer duration.
An OTC antibacterial cream/ointment e.g 2% mupirocin can be applied twice daily.
An OTC pain killer e.g ibuprofen once or twice daily would help you deal with the pain.
I would also suggest a blood sugar test to rule out diabetes.
Avoid shaving in that area.
Regards
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
Answered by
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