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Suggest Treatment For Large Painful Boils On Scalp

Posted on Sat, 25 Oct 2014

Question: My husband has had large painful boils on his scalp for many years. They ooze blood and pus and are slow healing. His scalp is covered with scars from these cysts/boils and he won't stop picking them. I am having a hard time getting him to the Doctor to have them looked at. But I am worried that it could be a serious infection. Is there any thing I can do to help get rid of these?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Liquid Povidone Iodine locally twice daily

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

You can apply liquid Povidone Iodine twice daily.
You can apply cut surface of the unripe Papaya Skin.

A few things I would like to request for::
Post a photograph if possible attached to this query.

Since when has he got this problem?
Is he diabetic?
Is only the scalp or also on other parts of the body?
What are the remedies you have tried?
Why is he not visiting a Doctor?

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (27 minutes later)

He has had these boils since he was 20 years old. He is now 38. He is not diabetic, he did go to a dermatologist about ten years ago and was prescribed an antibiotic and they didn't help. My husband gets very nervous at the Doctor. The last time he went he passed out, the nurse told my it was a vasovegal attack. Also,he is just very stubborn about going to see a Doctor. I do not have any pictures, I can take some and upload them later when he is home. Occasionally he does get these painful cysts on his back, and right now he has one in the crack of his butt.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
?Pyoderma

Detailed Answer:
Hi. These may be XXXXXXX to a condition called Pyoderma, a sort of skin infection which is recurrent and needs active treatment with antibiotics and supportive medicines. I some cases a biopsy is worth to find out the cause.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

I do not think it is Pyoderma. I looked at pictures on the internet and Pyoderma is open sores, skin ulcers. My husband is more like a deep cyst, like a very large pimple. Also Pyoderma is most commonly seen on the legs. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please post photographs and detailed history

Detailed Answer:
Please post Photographs.
I may be of some help.

How much time has he got this problem?
What is the treatment you have given ?
Any X-ray or CT of the skull to see condition of the bone bellow?

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