Have a recurring "boil" in my genital area. Had shingles more than 10 yrs ago, any connection?

Question

Am thinking of getting my doctor's opinion on this matter. The "boil"
is chronic. It starts small and increases in size (pea size). Not sure what triggers it. I find when I wear really tight undies it comes back. Can be painful when I try to pinch it to squeeze out something inside. Looking for anyone with the same experience or with anyone with medical background. Serious replies only.

Answer 1

Could it be an ingrown hair? I have had the same problem with ingrown hairs that form a similar protrusion. Also, I had a large
"boil" that wasn't an ingrown hair but more of a cyst. Have you been able to get puss out or is there no breaking it?

I actually just google what the person 2 above my answer stated and I would check that out, actually I think I had that for a few years, beginning with cysts in the armpit. Check it out and good luck. By the way, I went to the doctor and they didn't tell me anything other then its a cyst.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

A friend of mine had the same situation. The only way she was able to get rid of it was to have it surgically removed. She said it would get very painful. It could be shingles related. Shingles runs along nerve routes. If it feels like it is on a nerve ending, it could be shingles or even herpes which is a related disease.

Answer 6

I am a physician assistant (PA-C). It is not related in any way to the episode of shingles. Have you tried a course of antibiotics to completely get rid of the 'boil'? If not, I believe it should be tried. The next time it flares try getting it drained and use a course of antibiotics. I believe we should try to get rid of it.

Answer 7

Diabetes is usually treated through a combination of diet (low sugar), exercise and medications/insulin. Read here https://tr.im/kGslS
Milder cases can be controlled with just diet an/or exercise while more severe cases require meds or insulin as well.

Answer 8

i had the same problem and freaked out so bad i thought i had an std im a major health freak anywho i went to the dr and it was just an infected hair folicule from shaving it happend to me twice

Answer 9

Do a search on Hidradenitis Suppurativa...that might help

Answer 10

I had one growing up on the back of my thigh. They hurt! My Mom took a needle and burned it then poked mine to lance it. Then put iodine on it. I haven't had one since. They don't recommend that now as it can cause more of an infection. Try not to squeeze it as it can spread the infection. If you frequently get them, you might have an underlying cause. See your doctor about it. I hope you are feeling better soon. Read more below: http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_boils_crs.htm

Here is more information on what causes them:
Boils commonly develop because bacteria have infected hair follicles (the small openings out of which hair grows).

Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") is the name of the bacteria that usually infect hair follicles. The bacteria normally live on the skin, particularly on certain parts of the body (rectum, nose, mouth, and genitals). The bacteria cause an infection only if they penetrate the skin through a scrape, irritation, or injury of some kind. Sometimes friction (from clothing, for example) will cause a hair follicle to swell up. The opening becomes closed, trapping the bacteria inside and starting an infection.

Boils and carbuncles often form in moist areas of the body such as the back of the neck, buttocks, thighs, groin, and armpits.

If you have a chronic illness, such as diabetes or kidney or liver disease, you may be more likely to have boils and carbuncles.
What are the symptoms?
A boil starts out suddenly as a red, painful lump. Usually within 24 hours, the lump fills with pus and takes on a round appearance with a yellow-white tip. There may be swelling around the boil as well as swelling of any lymph nodes near the boil. (You are most likely to notice swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin area.) The boil may be tender to touch or quite painful.

Symptoms of carbuncles are similar but more severe than those of boils.

How are they diagnosed?
Your health care provider will examine the infected area. Tell your provider if you have had a boil or carbuncle longer than 2 weeks or if you have boils often.

If you have boils often, you may have lab tests of your blood or urine. These tests can check for conditions that might cause the sores, such as diabetes mellitus or kidney or liver disease.

How is it treated?
A boil can sometimes be treated at home, but a carbuncle often needs medical treatment.

For treatment at home you can:

Put a warm, moist cloth on the boil or carbuncle for 10 to 15 minutes at least 3 times a day.
Clean the sore with antiseptic soap and protect it with a loose gauze dressing until it has healed.
Take acetaminophen or another pain reliever.
These steps will help relieve the pain, reduce the risk of spreading the infection, and help boils to heal.

See your health care provider if:

A boil does not drain and heal with treatment at home.
The boil lasts longer than 1 week.
The boil becomes very large or painful.
You are an adult over the age of 65 or you have diabetes.
You have a boil on your face or near your eyes or nose.
You have a cluster of boils or they become increasingly more common.
Your health care provider may recommend that you take antibiotic drugs to heal the infection. Your provider may drain the boil or carbuncle by opening it with a sterile needle or scalpel. After the sore has been opened, it should be covered with a loose, gauze dressing until it heals. (Do not try to open a boil at home. This may cause harmful spread of the infection.)

If you have an underlying illness, such as diabetes, your health care provider will want you to schedule regular appointments so your condition can be monitored. If your boil or carbuncle does not heal properly or if new symptoms develop, contact your provider.

How long will the effects last?
Boils may take from 1 to 3 weeks to heal. In most cases, a boil will not heal until it opens and drains. This can take up to a week.

A carbuncle often requires treatment by your health care provider. Depending on the severity of the problem and its treatment, the carbuncle should heal in 2 to 3 weeks after treatment.

Your health care provider may want to see you for a follow-up visit if he or she prescribes medicine to treat the infection, such as antibiotics, or treats it by opening the boil.

How can I take care of myself?
Be sure to follow the instructions your health care provider gives you. Take any prescribed medicine as directed.

What can I do to help prevent boils and carbuncles?
To help prevent boils and carbuncles from spreading and recurring:

Do not open or squeeze the boil yourself. This can cause the infection to spread.
If the boil does open or drain, clean it with an antiseptic soap. Cover it with a loose, gauze dressing. Change the dressing at least every day until the boil stops draining.
Wash clothes that touch the infected area in hot, soapy water on a daily basis. Dry clothes on the hot setting if you use an automatic dryer.
Practice good personal hygiene. Bathe or shower daily.
Wash your hands often. Always wash them after caring for the boil, after using the bathroom, and especially before touching any food. (The bacteria that cause boils can also cause food poisoning.)
Get treatment for any underlying illness.