What could cause painful bumps in underarms, pubic area, and inner thighs?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have painful bumps under my arms, all around my pubic area, and on my inner thighs. It hurts to move around and I do not know how to make it better. It has been happening for awhile but it was never this painful. I always thought it would heal itself but it has not yet. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your history suggests that you have hidradenitis suppurative as you have painful recurrent boils for a long time. It is a chronic recurrent condition that can be kept under control with the treatment. Other differential diagnosis is furunculosis. If you could share a photo that will really help me to provide you a definitive diagnosis and treatment. Do not worry, with good treatment it can be kept under control.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I just received your follow up query message but it is blank and only file attached is written but there is no file attached with it. Kindly check.

Answer 3

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I saw the photos you sent (attachment removed to protect patient identity). This confirms the diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). These are classic lesions with scarring. First, I would like to inform you about HS. As I mentioned before, it is a chronic recurrent condition. With medicines and few precautions we will keep it under control but still you can get recurrence in the future. It is a disorder of sweat glands. Now treatment includes few antibiotics tablets and cream. Treatment basically depends on the severity of lesions. So first, we will try with topical antibiotic and oral Doxycycline capsules. If you do not respond well to these, then we will switch to Rifampicin and Clindamycin. Take capsule Doxycycline 100 mg daily at night for 10 days and apply Clindamycin gel twice daily for 15 days. I want to assess you after 10 days to see if you are responding to this treatment or not and then accordingly we will decide the further management.

Few instructions:

Avoid sweating and try to stay in cool areas.
Do not wear tight fitting clothes. Do not rub these lesions.
Do not unnecessarily search on internet and stress about it.
Also, hair removal by laser is one of the treatment option for it after we control this flare.
Follow up after ten days.

Thankyou.