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Suggest Treatment For Boils On Body And Infection

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Posted on Fri, 27 Nov 2015
Question: For most of my life, even hospital surgery at age 18, now 63, "boils" or cysts have been a plague to me. Many of my Italian relatives have same issue. My dad, now 94 yrs was quarantined in hospital when I was a child for multiple infected ......can't recall the medical term. It may have been carbuncles. I get these disgusting infectious lumps on a regular basis, esp when under stress & worry. Any place on my body except hands & feet. One time the infection was under my arm. It grew in size from my armpit to breast & around to my back. A Dr & saved my life by cutting it open, draining & visits everyday to drain & antibiotics. Dr said I was about a day from death & almost hospitalized. The infections can be small or grow to a huge tennis ball. One of my daughters has had them since a teen & just a yr ago had to take my married, adult son to minor ER as he was in agony. He couldn't make it to a out of state business meeting. I send so much info to you in order to show the scope of this problem & how it affects our family. I am left alone at home when I have an active infection as I don't want to kill my elderly parents, or anyone. My Dr has had to open, drain, antibiotic injections plus medication. An infected site will not go numb no matter how many injections. At times I am embarrassed as the pain is so severe I yell & cry during procedure. Help please, not just for me, but now my 18 yr old granddaughter has had them...& on & on. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
recurrent boils

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

I am so sorry to hear about your families problem with boils. We do not understand why some people get recurrent boils like you. I have the following recommendations. One wash daily with a good soap and maybe even use a special cleansing agent called phisohex. This is a special cleaning agent used prior to surgery to reduce infections. You may need to ask your doctor about getting a prescription for the phisohex.

My next recommendation is to wear your clothes only one day at time. Wash your clothes and bed clothes daily. Your bed sheets should also be washed weekly. Use a good detergent and on some wash cycles use the sanitizing cycle.

I would discourage using antibiotics daily as time goes on you will develop resistance to the antibiotics.

I hope this helps as there is no other things I can recommend at this time


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (30 minutes later)
Thank you for giving your best re:family infections, boils. I did get the impression of not being a "clean" woman. It makes me feel it's my fault...& that I am a dirty person. How come my husband of over 43-I married him age 26 & I was a teenager. European custom I guess. I am afraid to infect someone. I use rubbing alcohol straight on toilets-handle too, door knobs, sink, counters & my body!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Immune disorder

Detailed Answer:
This is not caused by you being dirty it is usually caused by your immune system reacting to the normal bacteria in the environment. Your body reacts in this way with getting infections when others don't is not because of dirty skin it is your body's reaction to the bacteria. I was hoping that by just reducing the amount of bacteria in your environment that you may reduce the number of infections. You can continue to reduce bacteria counts by using alcohol on door knobs sinks etc Any amount of reduction of the bacteria counts in your life may help reduce those infections


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (29 minutes later)
Thank you very much Dr S. I feel better mentally since you explained the infections are not caused because "I am not a clean person." Explaining the reduction of bacteria count in the home might help...but it wouldn't hurt.
Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
your welcome

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome and best of luck
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Boils On Body And Infection

Brief Answer: recurrent boils Detailed Answer: Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns I am so sorry to hear about your families problem with boils. We do not understand why some people get recurrent boils like you. I have the following recommendations. One wash daily with a good soap and maybe even use a special cleansing agent called phisohex. This is a special cleaning agent used prior to surgery to reduce infections. You may need to ask your doctor about getting a prescription for the phisohex. My next recommendation is to wear your clothes only one day at time. Wash your clothes and bed clothes daily. Your bed sheets should also be washed weekly. Use a good detergent and on some wash cycles use the sanitizing cycle. I would discourage using antibiotics daily as time goes on you will develop resistance to the antibiotics. I hope this helps as there is no other things I can recommend at this time