How do I treat my persistent genital boils?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a cluster of boils in the genital area, which has been there for over three months, and nothing seems to work to get them to disappear. I also have boils and rashes on my chest. I recently completed the STI test, but it was all negative. I have not attended a general physician for a physical examination because of the COVID-19 situation. I have tried Canesten cream (Clotrimazole), Sudocrem antiseptic cream, and tea tree oil, but there are no results.

Kindly guide.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for the query.

I can understand your concern.

According to your statement, you have been suffering from a cluster of boils on the genital area, boils and rashes on the chest for the last few months. According to your investigation reports, you are free from any STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). According to the pictures that are provided here (attachments removed to protect the patients' identity), you may suffer from folliculitis, which is the inflammation or infection of the hair follicles that can turn into boils.

Folliculitis is characterized by a painful, swollen area that usually develops near hair follicles, most commonly on the neck, breasts, buttocks, genitalia, axillary area, etc. Boils are the pus-containing lesions that are firm in nature and present with tenderness, and may be derived from folliculitis. Folliculitis may be caused by bacteria, mainly called Staphylococcus aureus, and sometimes by fungi. Without treatment, bacterial folliculitis may resolve in 7 to 10 days or may progress to boils like yours. As antifungal treatment has failed, bacterial infections most probably cause skin problems. Flucloxacillin is the treatment of choice here. You can either take it orally as a capsule or apply a topical cream. A biopsy from the skin lesions may confirm their underlying etiology.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Sometimes, a serious type of infection can develop as a consequence of a skin infection caused by bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. Surrounding tissues may be infected that is known as cellulitis and cause fever, feeling dizzy, a feeling of being unwell, or production of super antigenic toxins by Staphylococcus aureus that may mix into the bloodstream and develop systemic illness characterized by fever, skin rash followed by skin peeling, hypotension, dizziness or vertigo, vomiting, diarrhea and may lead to multisystem organ failure. It is an acute and rare complication known as staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Again, you may become prone to developing boils. In such cases, blood sugar levels, hemoglobin percentage, and blood count measurements are important for finding out the exact causes.

Again, your present feeling of dizziness may result from various underlying conditions other than boils. These various conditions are inner ear infections or diseases, low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia, anemia, low blood pressure levels or hypotension, benign positional postural vertigo (BPPV), migraine, medications, alcohol, poor blood circulation to the brain due to any cause, etc.

Monitor your blood pressure regularly, and CBC (complete blood count) and blood sugar levels can be measured to detect the causes for your present sufferings and then treat them accordingly.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.