Hello, mrpink-ga!
"Ouch!" I sympathize with your problem!
Since I am not a doctor, I can only provide you with some
possibilities from my research. My primary suggestion, overall, is
that you visit a good dermatologist. With that said, I have focused on
the most likely culprit - Boils!
Boils may be a very real possibility. The fact that the condition is
ongoing points to some type of infection. The size of the bumps, and
the lack of itchiness, seems to rule out some other skin rashes and
infections.
"Boils seem to appear in areas where friction occurs such as the
neck, buttocks or thighs."
From "Boils (Furuncles or Furunculosis)."
http://alwaysyourchoice.com/ayc/adult/general/boils.php
Furuncle,or Boil
****************
From Merck Source Health Library
http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_health_library_frame.jspzQzpgzEz/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_adam.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcnszSzcontentzSzadamzSzencyzSzarticlezSz001474zPzhtm
Definition:
An infection of the hair follicles. Also see carbunculosis.
Alternative Names:
Infection - hair follicle; Hair follicle infection; Boils
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
A furuncle (boil) is a skin infection involving the entire hair
follicle and the adjacent subcutaneous tissue. Almost everyone
experiences boils at some time in their life. Staphylococcus bacteria
are normally found on the skin surface. Damage to the hair follicle
allows the bacteria to enter deeper into the tissues of the hair
follicle and the subcutaneous tissue. Furuncles may occur in the hair
follicles anywhere on the body, but they are most common on the face,
neck, armpit, buttocks, and thighs.
Furuncles are generally caused by Staphylococcus aureus but may be
caused by other bacteria or fungi. They may begin as a tender red
subcutaneous nodule but ultimately become fluctuant (feel like a
water-filled balloon). A furuncle may drain spontaneously, producing
pus. More often the individual, a parent, or a physician opens them.
*****
Furuncles can be single or multiple. Some people have recurrent bouts
with abscesses and little success at preventing them.
*****
*** (Please read the reference for signs, symptoms and treatment!) ***
===
A good synopsis on treatment can be found at the Stopgettingsick.com
website
http://www.stopgettingsick.com/Conditions/conditions_menu.cfm/122
Treatment
Boils may heal spontaneously after an initial period of itching and
mild pain. More often, they progress to pustules that increase in
discomfort as pus collects. They finally burst, drain, and then heal
spontaneously.
Boils (furuncles) usually must drain before they will heal. This most
often occurs in less than 2 weeks. Boils that persist longer than 2
weeks, recur, are located on the spine or the middle of the face, or
that are accompanied by fever or other symptoms require treatment by a
health care provider because of the risk of complications from the
spread of infection.
Warm moist compresses encourage furuncles to drain, which speeds
healing. Gently soak the area with a warm, moist cloth several times
each day. Deep or large lesions may need to be drained surgically by
the health care provider. Never squeeze a boil or attempt to lance it
at home because this can spread the infection and make it worse.
Meticulous hygiene is vital to prevent the spread of infection.
Draining lesions should be cleaned frequently. The hands should be
washed thoroughly after touching a boil. Do not re-use or share
washcloths or towels. Clothing, washcloths, towels, and sheets or
other items that contact infected areas should be washed in very hot
(preferably boiling) water. Dressings should be changed frequently and
discarded in a manner that contains the drainage, such as by placing
them in a bag that can be closed tightly before discarding.
Antibacterial soaps, topical (applied to a localized area of the skin)
antibiotics are of little benefit once furuncle has formed. Systemic
antibiotics may help to control infection.
====
Some further research leads me to suggest you go to a dermatologist,
specifically, and also try antibiotic treatment!
The following is from "Boil Begins If Hair Follicle Gets Infected."
Dear Doctor Column. (January 2003) UAB Health System
http://www.health.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=8430
Question:
I have recurring boils on one of my legs. I use antibacterial soap
every day, and I try to put Neosporin on the area. My doctor said
they're caused by an infection and put me on strong antibiotics, but
the boils still recur. What's causing this and what can I do?
Answer:
Boils, also called furuncles, usually begin when the hair follicle,
which is a tiny pit in the skin from which a hair grows, becomes
infected. Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium commonly found on the
skin, is usually the culprit. When multiple boils appear, the
condition is called furunculosis. In contrast, a carbuncle is either
an unusually large boil or a group of boils joined together.
Boils are very common, and virtually everybody has one at some time.
Staph bacteria can enter the body through cuts, abrasions, puncture
wounds, skin ulcers, or irritated skin, causing infection. They also
can cause infection as the result of decreased resistance to the
bacteria. Although boils can occur anywhere on the skin, they are most
likely to appear on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks, or thighs.
As a hair follicle becomes inflamed and painful, white blood cells,
which form part of the body's defense system against bacteria, collect
at the site to combat the infection. Starting as a red, tender lump,
which may throb, a boil becomes larger and more painful over a few
days. As pus collects, it develops a white or yellow head, or center.
The pus is under pressure, which increases the pain and tenderness.
Occasionally, you can develop a fever. Eventually, the boil bursts
through the skin, relieving the pain. As the infection drains, the
boil heals. This process usually takes about 2 weeks. However, the
boil may recur later near the same site and go through the same cycle.
Moist heat helps boils "come to a head" so they'll drain. Try applying
a warm, tap-water compress to the boil every 30 minutes for a few
hours to help it drain sooner. You should see your doctor if the boil
is large and painful or associated with fever or redness spreading
from the site. As in your case, when a boil is severe, antibiotics may
be prescribed to help kill the bacteria. Doctors sometimes have to
lance the boil to allow the pus to drain.
Skin cleansers that kill germs can be used to keep the area
scrupulously clean during healing. Washcloths and towels should be
laundered after each use. Underwear and bedclothes should be laundered
after contact with the lesions. If dressings are changed at home,
discard them in a plastic bag and seal it to prevent spread of
infection. If you have boils, take showers instead of baths to reduce
the chance of spreading the infection to other parts of your body.
Physicians warn that boils should not be touched or squeezed, which
can force the infection into deeper tissues.
Recurring boils are sometimes a sign of a system-wide problem. For
example, people who have diabetes or kidney disease are more
susceptible to boils and other infections. Whatever the cause, large
boils need to be evaluated and treated by a physician. Because you've
continued to have this problem despite treatment, consider asking your
doctor to refer you to a dermatologist, a physician who specializes in
the treatment of skin disorders.
====
I culled the following excerpts from a physicians "forum" site. It is
certainly worth reading so you might realize that you are not alone in
this condition, and that physicians themselves often having difficulty
finding the right treatment!
From "FURUNCULOSIS."
http://dermatology.cdlib.org/rxderm-archives/furunculosis
"recurrent "boils" of the buttocks
a) culture the lesions and culture the nose as a source of
pathogenic
bacteria. Treat with appropriate antibiotics.
b) have patient wash buttocks with Hibiclens, Phisohex, or BP wash
on
a regular basis
Jeff Marmelzat, M.D.
==
"A patient of mine with chronic "boils" on her legs and hidradenitis
like
lesions in her groin and axillae on a prn basis has been controlled by
Centrum vitamines and zinc. I have not investigated her immune status
but Ibelieve she has a defect in processing her exposure to bacteria
that the vitamines have helped control.--She could not afford the
work-up
to further define her problem-- She was also helped by Tetracycline
up
to 500mg qid but no longer needs them after starting the
vitamines--Give
it a try before spending alot on her work-up."
W H Burrow
==
Also read "Buttocks Boils." Prematuree
http://www.prematuree.com/qa/qa.php3?qa_id=161
Q."What causes those large, reddish boils on the butt cheeks? I've
heard that Staphylococcus bacteria may be the culprit. Is there any
way to prevent them from returning?
Partial excerpt of answer:
"Staphylococcus is normally found in small amounts all over the skin.
"Every surface of your body is covered with some critter that likes to
live there," says Dr. Michael Burnhill, vice president of Medical
Affairs for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "But if some
condition lowers the body's resistance to these bacteria, they start
multiplying and cause infection."
"According to Burnhill, boils often appear on the buttocks, because of
their proximity to bacteria. "In the anal area, you can get such a
high concentration of bacteria that it can counteract the body's
defense system. And because the buttocks are especially warm and
moist, they can be an ideal place for Staphylococcus to grow."
"Short of medical attention, the best way to fight staphylococcal
infection is more meticulous hygiene. You'll need to keep the skin
very clean, washing it several times a day with antibacterial liquid
soap and patting it as dry as possible. Wear breathable fabrics like
cotton. Shun nylon, spandex, and anything else that's clingy. Make
sure you shower after you exercise."
===
Additional Reading
"Treatment for Boils." Estronaut.
http://www.womenshealth.org/a/boil_treatment.htm
====
Once again, I suggest you go to a good dermatologist. Heed the
suggestions on wearing less restrictive clothing, soak in warm baths,
and use antibacterial soap. Most of all, don't get discouraged. Be
persistent in finding the right diagnosis, and you should be able to
find the right treatment!
umiat-ga
Google Search Strategy
skin bumps bottom and thighs
skin bumps on buttocks
boils on buttocks and thighs |
