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Suffering From Recurring Boils Under Armpit. What Is The Underlying Cause?
Question: I have been getting boils under my armpit often. Though I referred this with local skin specialist, the boils keep recurring now and then. Its been a year I have been suffering from this. I don't have sugar or blood pressure. Now recently the boils are occuring above the groin area. What is the underlying cause for it.. is it curable
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in.
The boils are hair follicle infection caused by bacteria called as Staphylococcus aureus.It can be sometimes resistant to normal antibiotics and cause recurrent boils.
The measures to control such problem would be-
Maintain strict hygiene.
Use antiseptic hand wash like dettol each time you wash your hands.Frequent and proper hand washing is a very important aspect of treating recurrent boils.
Use a good antiseptic soap like soapex soap for bathing.
Apply a good antibiotic cream like mupirocin 2% ointment twice daily over boils.
Also the nose,umbilicus and anus are frequent carriers of staphylococcus aureus.
You must apply the mupirocin ointment to these places also.From these sites the bacteria is carried by your hands to other sites and it causes infection.
This mupirocin should be applied twice daily for five days atleast.
Next thing would be to get your blood checked for total and differential count for any abnormalities.
Also oral antibiotic like rifampicin for 10-14 days can clear the bacteria completely and result in permanent cure.It must be taken under observation of dermatologist as its dose has to be decided for each patient independently.
Hope this helps.
I will be available for follow up.
Regards.
DrSudarshan
MD
Dermatologist
Thanks for writing in.
The boils are hair follicle infection caused by bacteria called as Staphylococcus aureus.It can be sometimes resistant to normal antibiotics and cause recurrent boils.
The measures to control such problem would be-
Maintain strict hygiene.
Use antiseptic hand wash like dettol each time you wash your hands.Frequent and proper hand washing is a very important aspect of treating recurrent boils.
Use a good antiseptic soap like soapex soap for bathing.
Apply a good antibiotic cream like mupirocin 2% ointment twice daily over boils.
Also the nose,umbilicus and anus are frequent carriers of staphylococcus aureus.
You must apply the mupirocin ointment to these places also.From these sites the bacteria is carried by your hands to other sites and it causes infection.
This mupirocin should be applied twice daily for five days atleast.
Next thing would be to get your blood checked for total and differential count for any abnormalities.
Also oral antibiotic like rifampicin for 10-14 days can clear the bacteria completely and result in permanent cure.It must be taken under observation of dermatologist as its dose has to be decided for each patient independently.
Hope this helps.
I will be available for follow up.
Regards.
DrSudarshan
MD
Dermatologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What is the type of blood test that should i request in the lab? And whom should I consult about the dosage of oral vaccination ? Can I XXXXXXX in you in person?
Hi XXXXXXX,
The blood test is complete blood count, differential blood count, fasting and post meal sugar and HBA1c level.
There is no real vaccination for this problem.
Effective treatment would be RIFAMPICIN for 10-15 days.You can visit any qualified dermatologist near you for this.
Hope this helps .
Regards
The blood test is complete blood count, differential blood count, fasting and post meal sugar and HBA1c level.
There is no real vaccination for this problem.
Effective treatment would be RIFAMPICIN for 10-15 days.You can visit any qualified dermatologist near you for this.
Hope this helps .
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
can you suggest me qualified dermatologist in chennai?
Hi again,
Dr B shriniwas at alwarpet ,chennai or dr s XXXXXXX at chennai are qualified enought to treat your problems.Hope this helps.
Regards
Dr B shriniwas at alwarpet ,chennai or dr s XXXXXXX at chennai are qualified enought to treat your problems.Hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr,
I have got married last year. And my wife is due this mArch 28. What i wanted to know from is ? Is there any chances or possibility that my child will get boils like me? Would it have spread from me to unborn child? How to ensure that my child is safe?
I have got married last year. And my wife is due this mArch 28. What i wanted to know from is ? Is there any chances or possibility that my child will get boils like me? Would it have spread from me to unborn child? How to ensure that my child is safe?
Hi again XXXXXXX
As long as baby is mothers womb it is very much protected from infection.
There is a chance of infection once it is born and is in close contact with you.
Till the you would have taken treatment and you will be free of infection.
So there is nothing to be worried about.
You can start applying T bact ointment in nostrils twice a day for 7 days from today only .It will eliminate the carrier stage of staph aureus infection.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
As long as baby is mothers womb it is very much protected from infection.
There is a chance of infection once it is born and is in close contact with you.
Till the you would have taken treatment and you will be free of infection.
So there is nothing to be worried about.
You can start applying T bact ointment in nostrils twice a day for 7 days from today only .It will eliminate the carrier stage of staph aureus infection.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr,
Skin above the toe fingers are getting dark. Will this be due to the weight? I am 97 for 175 Cms. Or anything else? What should be done to stop discoloring of toe fingers?
Further how to keep armpit from getting dark. and recommend me a best way to remove underarm air?
Also let me know ithe procedure of applying T-bact ointment in nostrils? If applied will it have any side effects?
Regards,
XXXXXXX
Skin above the toe fingers are getting dark. Will this be due to the weight? I am 97 for 175 Cms. Or anything else? What should be done to stop discoloring of toe fingers?
Further how to keep armpit from getting dark. and recommend me a best way to remove underarm air?
Also let me know ithe procedure of applying T-bact ointment in nostrils? If applied will it have any side effects?
Regards,
XXXXXXX
Hi XXXXXXX
The pigmentation over fingers can be due to obesity ,it is called acanthosis nigricans.It can also affect axilla.Reducing the weight and using Rexona Skin Light Underarm Whitening Deodorant can be useful.
The pigmentation on fingers can also be due to Oral tablets containing B complex vitamins will help.
T Bact should be applied after washing the hands clean by antiseptic soap.
Two separate fingers for 2 nostrils(index and middle finger) can be used .
Hope this answers your question.
Regards.
The pigmentation over fingers can be due to obesity ,it is called acanthosis nigricans.It can also affect axilla.Reducing the weight and using Rexona Skin Light Underarm Whitening Deodorant can be useful.
The pigmentation on fingers can also be due to Oral tablets containing B complex vitamins will help.
T Bact should be applied after washing the hands clean by antiseptic soap.
Two separate fingers for 2 nostrils(index and middle finger) can be used .
Hope this answers your question.
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
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