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What Do Boils On Hips And Under Arm Indicate?
My boyfriend has bumps that seem to be boils? he had one before on his butt cheek, doctor said it was a boil, popped it, after that over the last year he has seen them come and go, in creases on his hip, leg, between his leg, under his arm etc, do you have any idea what this could be? They are also painful to the touch. He is 23 years old.
Thu, 6 Nov 2014
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic
I will keep a possibility of recurrent furunculosis. Recurrent furunculosis is common in those who are carriers of Staph aureus.
I would suggest a pus culture and sensitivity testing from one of the furuncle which would identify the causative bacterium and also determine its antibiotic sensitivity.
Swabs should also be taken from the nose, throat, umbilicus, axillae and perineum to determine carrier state. Culture and sensitivities are required.
Nasal carriage is common in those who have recurrent furunculosis.
This can be eradicated by application of topical 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily, to the opening or just inside the nares for 5 days.
This eradicates carrier state for 3 months. Re-colonisation is common
In recurrent furunculosis the choice of oral antibiotic ideally should be guided by sensitivities. Empirical therapy with a penicillin group or macrolide group of drugs can be started till sensitivity report is awaited.
If I was the treating doctor I would treat for two weeks initially guided by antibiotic sensitivity, but a longer course of perhaps six or eight weeks may be required.
General measures that might prove useful in his case are:
-Twice daily bathing with an antibacterial soap, preferably that which contains chlorhexidine would be useful.
-Wash sheets and underwear regularly in a hot wash (above 55°C). The clothes should be turned inside out.
-Keep surroundings clean
-Other members in the family should also be identified for carrier state and overt infections.
I would suggest a visit to a specialist for culture sensitivity investigation as well as a prescription of these (topical as well as oral antibiotics)
Regards
I will keep a possibility of recurrent furunculosis. Recurrent furunculosis is common in those who are carriers of Staph aureus.
I would suggest a pus culture and sensitivity testing from one of the furuncle which would identify the causative bacterium and also determine its antibiotic sensitivity.
Swabs should also be taken from the nose, throat, umbilicus, axillae and perineum to determine carrier state. Culture and sensitivities are required.
Nasal carriage is common in those who have recurrent furunculosis.
This can be eradicated by application of topical 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily, to the opening or just inside the nares for 5 days.
This eradicates carrier state for 3 months. Re-colonisation is common
In recurrent furunculosis the choice of oral antibiotic ideally should be guided by sensitivities. Empirical therapy with a penicillin group or macrolide group of drugs can be started till sensitivity report is awaited.
If I was the treating doctor I would treat for two weeks initially guided by antibiotic sensitivity, but a longer course of perhaps six or eight weeks may be required.
General measures that might prove useful in his case are:
-Twice daily bathing with an antibacterial soap, preferably that which contains chlorhexidine would be useful.
-Wash sheets and underwear regularly in a hot wash (above 55°C). The clothes should be turned inside out.
-Keep surroundings clean
-Other members in the family should also be identified for carrier state and overt infections.
I would suggest a visit to a specialist for culture sensitivity investigation as well as a prescription of these (topical as well as oral antibiotics)
Regards
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