A Plague of Boils
Question:
I apologize if I am barging in on a conversation – I do not have diabetes, but I do have Hidradenitis Suppurativa. HS has a high corrolation of dual diagnosis with diabetes, thyroid disease, PCOS, etc. I have a website with links to info on the web about it (no re-inventing of the wheel for me):
I looked at some other sites another poster gave me, and I found that there’s a correlation between HS and Crohn’s disease, too – something I’ve just undergone testing for. I already know that I have polycystic ovaries and diabetes. Just call me Lucky. http://home.earthlink.net/~aromalady/Hidradenitis.htm. ~~~~I am also the founder and owner of a "group" on Yahoo with about 1,300 sufferers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hidradenitis/. Join us or just come visit to see what we’re about.
Thanks for the links! PPS I have used Hibiclens before and it is very harsh!
I have been using medicinal green soap just on the affected area, and so far it hasn’t gotten worse … I’ll see what happens after I finish this course of antibiotics.
Response:
This one has opened itself twice now – no lancing needed. I am indeed doing the hot compress and will try the vinegar … which brings up another question: I am *highly* acidic – would I be better off trying to alkalize the prone area? No, never alkalize there. Diabetics are also more prone to yeasties. 8^)
My pH is very low. No wonder I never get candidiasis – even when taking antibiotic.
Response:
Yes, I’ve put a call in to my doctor but I want anecdotal information as well! I’ve been a well-controlled (per my doc) T2 for a little over two years. Recently, I’ve been bothered by boils. I’ve done every thing by the book to avoid them yet even after a course of antibiotics a boil has come back a week later. This boil is not appearing in an area that gets chafed, and all my skin gets washed at least once a day in warm water and antibacterial soap. Is there a good way to prevent boils?
PLEASE have your MD check to make sure you don’t have a condition called Hidradenitis Suppuritiva! I have had it since puberty and getting it diagnosed was a complete nightmare… It is a chronic condition that causes what appear to be boils. Most information about it says that it occurs only in the groin area, arm pits and under the breasts – but I have had outbreaks in other areas as well… It is also a common mosconception that it is directly related to obesity. It is true that extra weight exacerbates HS, but being over weight is not the cause, and I have discovered through support groups that many "normal" sized people also suffer with it. HS is listed as a very rare disease and most doctors have never heard of it. It took over 21 years before someone FINALLY diagnosed my condition – and even getting that diagnosis was a fortunate accident… Those of us that have it tend to believe that it is more common than is thought, and that the problem is that it is under-diagnosed. It’s often difficult to find information on HS, but here are a few links about it: http://www.dermnetnz.org/index.html http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic259.htm http://www.thebarricade.free-online.co.uk/mainframe.html http://www.healthlinkusa.com/getpage.asp?http://www.thedoctorsdoctor…. http://www.healthlinkusa.com/getpage.asp?http://www.capederm.com/info… http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section10/chapter112/112k.htm I am praying that what you have is not HS, but please at least ask your MD to check it out…. 
Jak "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees" ~Dolores Ibarurri
Response:
I apologize if I am barging in on a conversation – I do not have diabetes, but I do have Hidradenitis Suppurativa. HS has a high corrolation of dual diagnosis with diabetes, thyroid disease, PCOS, etc. I have a website with links to info on the web about it (no re-inventing of the wheel for me): http://home.earthlink.net/~aromalady/Hidradenitis.htm. ~~~~I am also the founder and owner of a "group" on Yahoo with about 1,300 sufferers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hidradenitis/. Join us or just come visit to see what we’re about. Take Care All, Wendy Bowles PS My home page: http://home.earthlink.net/~aromalady/index.htm PPS I have used Hibiclens before and it is very harsh!
Response:
Did the doc know of and approve the soap?
Actually, it’s a detergent and yes, they all know and approve. I use the brand I do mostly because I’m not allergic to it rather than for its alleged antibacterial properties. I’m not bathing in Betadine.
Response:
Did the doc know of and approve the soap? Killing the normal bacteriaa on the skin opens up to more unwanted varieties because the normal types help to keep out the unwanted. Also using such soaps promotes antibiotic resistant variets of bacteria. Make sure your doc knows of your use of the soap. I’m glad to see there’s someone else out there that hasn’t fallen for this "antibacterial" garbage. We’ve got to get rid of this stuff.
I know. I like liquid soap for hand washing and it is hard to find any that isn’t antibacterial. I have resorted to refilling my containers with baby wash. — Type 2 http://www.redshift.com/~juliebove/
Response:
Yes, I’ve put a call in to my doctor but I want anecdotal information as well! I’ve been a well-controlled (per my doc) T2 for a little over two years. Recently, I’ve been bothered by boils. I’ve done every thing by the book to avoid them yet even after a course of antibiotics a boil has come back a week later. This boil is not appearing in an area that gets chafed, and all my skin gets washed at least once a day in warm water and antibacterial soap. Is there a good way to prevent boils?
are you testing your BG daily at home? It wouldn’t be the first time a doctor has said that someone was in good control when they in fact were not. Barring that, have you seen a dermatologist? Many diabetics can get chronic staff infections in their skin. Not because of poor hygiene, but because our immune system is compromised. I used to not take this issue too seriously until another diabetic gave a link to some very eye opening info on the web about diabetics and skin infections. http://www.nsc.gov.sg/cgi-bin/WB_ContentGen.pl?id=163&gid=33 Derek Type 1 since 1975 Minimed 508 Insulin Pump http://sweetblood.org http://www.insulin-pumpers.org http://www.diabetesinterview.com http://www.zerolimit.net (irc server webpage for our chat room) #diabeticnet is the name of our IRC chat on zerolimit.net http://www.zerolimit.net/files/zl-mirc.exe http://www.irchelp.org/irchelp/misc/webtv.html http://www.xs4all.nl/~ircle/ <–Ircle Mac IRC software http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2001/06/cureall.htm
Response:
Yes, I’ve put a call in to my doctor but I want anecdotal information as well! I’ve been a well-controlled (per my doc) T2 for a little over two years. Recently, I’ve been bothered by boils. I’ve done every thing by the book to avoid them yet even after a course of antibiotics a boil has come back a week later. This boil is not appearing in an area that gets chafed, and all my skin gets washed at least once a day in warm water and antibacterial soap. Is there a good way to prevent boils?
You may want to see a dermatologist since they specialize in skin related conditions like boils. They will probably be more familiar with the most current treatment options for treating boils.
Response:
I have to fight skin conditions all of ther time. I am a long time diabetic and am on maintenance antibiotics to "control" osteomylitis. It is an on going battle. This thread has covered the area very well. I will add—some doctors do not really seem to be capable of dealing with this type of problem. I have been plagued with a lot of fungus infections. I have found what works for me. Too many variables for me to push any method. But I found You may have to see the proper doctor. When I came home from the hospital several years ago I brought four different skin problems with me. It was a while before they all were identified and corrected. Guy Williams
Response:
This one has opened itself twice now – no lancing needed. I am indeed doing the hot compress and will try the vinegar … which brings up another question: I am *highly* acidic – would I be better off trying to alkalize the prone area?
No, never alkalize there. Diabetics are also more prone to yeasties. 8^) Val
Response:
Did the doc know of and approve the soap? Killing the normal bacteriaa on the skin opens up to more unwanted varieties because the normal types help to keep out the unwanted. Also using such soaps promotes antibiotic resistant variets of bacteria. Make sure your doc knows of your use of the soap. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Yes, I’ve put a call in to my doctor but I want anecdotal information as well! I’ve been a well-controlled (per my doc) T2 for a little over two years. Recently, I’ve been bothered by boils. I’ve done every thing by the book to avoid them yet even after a course of antibiotics a boil has come back a week later. This boil is not appearing in an area that gets chafed, and all my skin gets washed at least once a day in warm water and antibacterial soap. Is there a good way to prevent boils?
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This one has opened itself twice now – no lancing needed. I am indeed doing the hot compress and will try the vinegar … which brings up another question: I am *highly* acidic – would I be better off trying to alkalize the prone area? The vinegar rinse was recommended to a little boy I know very recently by a specialist in infections. He said 1:10, I have been reading up on it and it appears 50/50 vinegar/water is recommended to inhibit growth of staph and psuedomonas (he has both bugs rampant at present). He said to use it only on skin type infections, internal infections still require an IV cocktail of big guns antibiotics. As to your other question about the acid levels, I dunno – sorry. Best to talk to your doc about this. As usual, never use home remedies without consulting your doctor. As a preventative I can’t see the harm but I would still always see the doc when a boil appears.
I agree and have a call in for my doctor; she won’t be in until later (it’s 4 am in California) and I did see her when it first appeared. I’ll porbably end up taking more antibiotics, but was hoping for real-life experiences of real, live diabetics as well. Thanks for the info.
Response:
This one has opened itself twice now – no lancing needed. I am indeed doing the hot compress and will try the vinegar … which brings up another question: I am *highly* acidic – would I be better off trying to alkalize the prone area?
The vinegar rinse was recommended to a little boy I know very recently by a specialist in infections. He said 1:10, I have been reading up on it and it appears 50/50 vinegar/water is recommended to inhibit growth of staph and psuedomonas (he has both bugs rampant at present). He said to use it only on skin type infections, internal infections still require an IV cocktail of big guns antibiotics. As to your other question about the acid levels, I dunno – sorry. Best to talk to your doc about this. As usual, never use home remedies without consulting your doctor. As a preventative I can’t see the harm but I would still always see the doc when a boil appears.
Response:
108/14 day 111/30 day 115/fasting HbA1c 6 3/22/02. Meds: Tolinase 500mg x 2; Actos 15mg x 1. Do I pass? Just checking, cause what a doc deems good control isn’t necessarily so.
Thought you were checking that I’m not a troll! I see nothing in those numbers that would indicate they are caused by high bg’s but diabetics can have low immunity which in turn allows us to catch anything going.
Additionally, I have non-diabetic kiney disease and some other crap, so my immunity is pretty run down. Boils are usually the staph bug and staph is on our skins all the time. When we are "run down" the staph can get a little out of control.
My doctor told me a horrid story about what happened to a diabetic with a similar boil: it became necrotizing fasciitis and required a radical vulvectomy and maggot therapy. I definitely want to avoid that. I know diluted vinegar works on a lot of skin bugs (1:10, vinegar to water). Perhaps rinsing the boil prone areas with a vinegar solution can help, I believe hydrogen peroxide does as well, once again, dilute it with water. I presume you already use hot compresses as soon as you feel one coming on? I remember that from a child when I went thru a "sickly" period. Was getting boils all the time and mum would use the hot compresses. Never did get to experience the lancing
This one has opened itself twice now – no lancing needed. I am indeed doing the hot compress and will try the vinegar … which brings up another question: I am *highly* acidic – would I be better off trying to alkalize the prone area?
Response:
108/14 day 111/30 day 115/fasting HbA1c 6 3/22/02. Meds: Tolinase 500mg x 2; Actos 15mg x 1. Do I pass?
Just checking, cause what a doc deems good control isn’t necessarily so. I see nothing in those numbers that would indicate they are caused by high bg’s but diabetics can have low immunity which in turn allows us to catch anything going. Boils are usually the staph bug and staph is on our skins all the time. When we are "run down" the staph can get a little out of control. I know diluted vinegar works on a lot of skin bugs (1:10, vinegar to water). Perhaps rinsing the boil prone areas with a vinegar solution can help, I believe hydrogen peroxide does as well, once again, dilute it with water. I presume you already use hot compresses as soon as you feel one coming on? I remember that from a child when I went thru a "sickly" period. Was getting boils all the time and mum would use the hot compresses. Never did get to experience the lancing
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, I’ve put a call in to my doctor but I want anecdotal information as well! I’ve been a well-controlled (per my doc) T2 for a little over two years. Recently, I’ve been bothered by boils. I’ve done every thing by the book to avoid them yet even after a course of antibiotics a boil has come back a week later. This boil is not appearing in an area that gets chafed, and all my skin gets washed at least once a day in warm water and antibacterial soap. Is there a good way to prevent boils? Just curious, what are your average bg’s running at and what was your latest A1C?
108/14 day 111/30 day 115/fasting HbA1c 6 3/22/02. Meds: Tolinase 500mg x 2; Actos 15mg x 1. Do I pass?
Response:
Yes, I’ve put a call in to my doctor but I want anecdotal information as well! I’ve been a well-controlled (per my doc) T2 for a little over two years. Recently, I’ve been bothered by boils. I’ve done every thing by the book to avoid them yet even after a course of antibiotics a boil has come back a week later. This boil is not appearing in an area that gets chafed, and all my skin gets washed at least once a day in warm water and antibacterial soap. Is there a good way to prevent boils?
Response:
Yes, I’ve put a call in to my doctor but I want anecdotal
information as well! I’ve been a well-controlled (per my doc) T2 for a little over two years. Recently, I’ve been bothered by boils. I’ve done every thing by the book to avoid them yet even after a course of antibiotics a boil has come back a week later. This boil is not appearing in an area that gets chafed, and all my skin gets washed at least once a day in warm water and antibacterial soap. Is there a good way to prevent boils?
Just curious, what are your average bg’s running at and what was your latest A1C?
Response:
Filed under: Polycystic Ovaries
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