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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Boils On Skin
Question: I am getting occasionally boils on my skin one at a time all over body. when one boil goes off I get another in another part of the body in few weeks. I get it most of the time on my thighs, below abdomen in the belt buckle area, on fore head in eye brows, buttocks,in knees ,elbow and hand. As mentioned I get one at a time, when that heals after few weeks I get another at other place. The boil is very painful and would stay for a week before busting off. Sometime I do get fever also because of it. Kindly let me know if its just due to heat or is there something I need to be concerned of.
Brief Answer:
recurring infection. To do pus culture and check sugars.
Detailed Answer:
hello Mr XXXXXXX and welcome to HCM
I am Dr Dinah and will be answering your skin related queries today.
I understand your present complaints must be frustrating.
I wanted a few clarifications - do you have large pus filled boils, or small reddish bumps and pimples?
Are they itchy or painful?
Does anyone else in family have similar complaints?
Do you have a family history of diabetes. have you ever been tested for sugar levels.
Any history of skin allergies? or recent fever, illness?
Exposure to sweaty, humid climate or travel.
Are the boils on the face similar to ones on the body?
it is possibly infection of the hair follicles, increased by heat, sweating, or tight clothes rubbing on the skin. It may also be fungal. But these conditions usually dont affect the elbows and knees, could be allergic.
Since you have already taken a course of antibiotics, and the boils are still coming back, I would advise you to consult the dermatologist and get a culture and sensitivity test of the pus to find out the exact infection, and give specific tablets. Also get your sugar levels checked.
You can apply a mupirocin ointment twice daily on all the boils for 10 days.
If possible do send images of the boils especially on face and joints to help with a clearer diagnosis.
Hope this helps. Do feel free to get back to me with any doubts and clarifications you may have.
recurring infection. To do pus culture and check sugars.
Detailed Answer:
hello Mr XXXXXXX and welcome to HCM
I am Dr Dinah and will be answering your skin related queries today.
I understand your present complaints must be frustrating.
I wanted a few clarifications - do you have large pus filled boils, or small reddish bumps and pimples?
Are they itchy or painful?
Does anyone else in family have similar complaints?
Do you have a family history of diabetes. have you ever been tested for sugar levels.
Any history of skin allergies? or recent fever, illness?
Exposure to sweaty, humid climate or travel.
Are the boils on the face similar to ones on the body?
it is possibly infection of the hair follicles, increased by heat, sweating, or tight clothes rubbing on the skin. It may also be fungal. But these conditions usually dont affect the elbows and knees, could be allergic.
Since you have already taken a course of antibiotics, and the boils are still coming back, I would advise you to consult the dermatologist and get a culture and sensitivity test of the pus to find out the exact infection, and give specific tablets. Also get your sugar levels checked.
You can apply a mupirocin ointment twice daily on all the boils for 10 days.
If possible do send images of the boils especially on face and joints to help with a clearer diagnosis.
Hope this helps. Do feel free to get back to me with any doubts and clarifications you may have.
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. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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