Treating Folliculitis Cysts- "Down There"

[Ashley Q]

What you all have is a condion called Hidradenitis suppuritiva or HS for short. I also have it and its miserable for sure

[MIkeymike]

I don't have HS. I've seen pictures and it's definitely not HS. That stuff looks PAINFUL. I'm telling you... forget the anti bacterial washes and try some dandruff shampoo... It really helped!

[Cathy R]

Thanks for this post. I too, have suffered from a form of folliculitis since I was a teen. I have even had to have one cut and drained in ER because I couldn't walk. It was horrifying, not to mention painful and embarrassing. However, before you listen to my way of controlling this, make sure that you don't actually have Hidradenitis Suppurativa, which is even more serious.

At the ER, I confided in the RN and she told me that she had heard of people getting good relief from getting lasered (all hair removed-However, if you have HS, that won't work as it is the sweat glands that get infected). At the time, I could afford it, so I got a package deal. I was willing to try anything to harness this life-long problem.
I was REALLY sensitive to laser, but was able to tolerate enough sessions to get most of the hair permanently removed from the groin (leg meets pelvis area). This has helped quite a bit, but not completely.It wasn't a cure-all.
This helped the most: I started checking my buttocks and groin regularly for any clogged follicles. It may sound weird, but I do this with a magnified mirror after I shower (with Dial soap in the crotch) and look for any very small bumps or blackheads. I only do this once or twice a week. When I find one, they are easy to extract-if not, I don't force it and move on to this next step. Afterwards I use TEND SKIN which is mainly an alcohol based product that people use for razor burn/bumps. I use it about three times per week becuase it keeps things DRY. I esp. use it if I feel a deeper one coming on. It really helps to dry things up and/or bring it quickly to a head. I can tell you, that this combined with a better diet (of whole grains/fruits/veggies etc.) has made a world of difference! I used to get a painful, large one or two once or twice monthly. Now, I only do about twice a year. Try it, it is a grooming routine just like anything else, but it helps. Good luck to all...I have no idea, with so many sufferers, why this isn't addressed more thoroughly by the medical profession. And yes, stay away from antibiotics unless you really, really require them.

[Hopeful830]

Hi, what really helps is Tumeric capsules (it's actually a spice from India, I think and I get mine from Walmart. I guess you can buy from any health food store as well. I take 500mg. AM, 500mg. PM. I also use the Selsun Blue Shampoo and it really works!!

[Mikeymike]

Cathy R.- I used Tend Skin too, but it over dried me so bad I had to stop. And the laser hair removal is so darn expensive! Although all the derms I see say that hair removal is the best course of treatment. Right now I'm sticking with Seltsun Blue and it seems to be helping.

[Shauna]

I've had follicutus in my groin area for 20 yrs, since I grew pubic hair.I have scars from them, hpoing they will fade in time.I have taken antibiotics which clear its up temporary but they always return. Just recently I quit wearing panties(believing they irratate my conditon) and use bactine or neosporin(OTC), and to my surprise the one I have now are healing quite nicely. When a flare up occurs I take ibuprofin which helps with the swellig and pain and I will use a warm/hot salt water compress to bring the cyst to a head.I then use a steriled needle to drain it myself.

[Zophis]

I've suffered from folliculitis on the but mostly for as many years as i can remember, also a little on the thighs. Here is the only thing i have found that helps. 1st the most important, the buttocks area, i use a normal white solid deodorant (like degree white) every time i get out of the shower (daily). Just pretty much use it over the whole butt, you don't need to cake it on or anything. I started doing this about a year ago and after a week it was all but gone. Every now and then i will still get a spot or two but nothing embarrassing like in the past.
As for the thighs, the best cure i've found there is to trim my leg hair (male). Shaving is a little too feminine for me and would probably cause more issues anyways. But i just take normal hair clippers and use it with the smallest attachment. For me this seems to have completely cleared up any leg problems, and i only have to do it maybe 2-3 times a year (possibly more if you are italian :).
Well i hope this helps someone, the deodorant thing really works. I think it protects the skin from dirt and such, keeps it dry, and most deodorant is anti-bacterial and i'm sure that helps. Good luck feedback is welcome!

[Tiff]

Neosporin Works Wonders!

[Frustrated]

Wow guys... I've read posts on this topic plenty of times but you all made me feel much better.

That is, until I try to get dressed in the morning.

I'm 29 and have had folliculitis on my butt since I hit puberty. I've been put on TONS of antibiotics throughout the years and yes, it goes away for a bit and then comes back after treatment is over.

I also have HS and acne issues. My derm says folliculitis, HS and facial acne are the genetic defect trifecta and many in research believe our immune systems are unable to control normal (friendly) bacteria. My lesions were cultured and I do not nor have I ever had a Staph infection. I have to say last year I was treated in the springtime for Lyme Disease with heavy doses of intravenous antibiotics. By summer my skin looked the best it ever has. By november the pimples came back worse than ever and hasn't stopped since.

Systemic (oral) antibiotics can be evil. If you don't have a chronic condition I say try topical antibotics if you have to (clindamycin phosphate works great). BUT, if this is chronic use the topical antibiotics but back it up with all of the other things to keep it at bay. Wiping the area with sea salt is a good idea. Try candida diet (really hard, sugar-free, bread-free diet). If you've been on so many antibiotics as I have your system is all off balance. I always get yeast infections very easily so I don't think it's far fetched that perhaps selsun blue dandruff shampoo and anti-fungal creams work well for chronic sufferers.

Cosmetically, the only thing I've found that works so amazingly well is Bath and Body Works aromatherapy sugar scrubs... AWESOME for this!!!! It smooths everything out, doesn't sting (I find salt scrubs irritating), and covers you in this oil that I believe protects the skin, keeping it hydrated. If you don't do anything else try this.

Also, I will be trying laser hair removal for the butt. I've had my legs done (I'm PR and Italian) and my leg skin looks AMAZING. I started having my bikini line done and it ACTIVATED the HS so I had to stop. However, HS and folliculitis are very different and I have a feeling it'll work.

Last thing, I am a fairly attractive woman with my clothes on. I can't wear bathing suits and enjoy the water. This issue has destroyed any chances of me having a normal sex life. I am a sexual person and I'm dying to actually be that sexual person one day. But for now I hide in the dark and make up excuses as to why I won't walk around naked. I don't date men I'm attracted to for fear I can't keep them. I'm with a man now who doesn't treat me very well but the thought of starting over paralyzes me. It has destroyed my life. It causes bouts of depression that I can't control and it makes me suicidal at times. Perhaps it's shallow of me to get so upset. But, I can't be myself... I'm trapped and envious of other women who can walk around free. I look diseased. Who would want that? One guy told me it looked like I have HIV. Anyway, sorry guys, but no one else understands.

[female 36]

The ones on the bottom are a type of folliculitis - i`ve suffered with them on & off for a few years now. GP prescribes antibiotics & an antibacterial wash which does help.
Main causes seem to be : sitting on your butt too much as well as non breathable fibres, tight fitted clothes & sweating, so avoiding these triggers will help you avoid the breakouts.

[Mikeymike]

Frustrated... I feel your pain when it comes to getting intimate with someone. After years of being self conscious, I finally said the hell with it and did what I wanted to do. If someone else cares... oh well. Don't stress over it. Believe me, I wasted at least 15 years worrying. I'm still suffering with this problem (not as bad though), but I'm with someone that loves me for me... and all my flaws. No body is perfect... we all get pimples, stretch marks, hairs in weird places, etc... once I realized that I was like, F* IT!!!!
Back onto what works, I've noticed salt water (swimming in the ocean) seems to clear everything up PERFECTLY! I'm now thinking of maybe doing salt water baths once or twice a week and see how that works.

[Frustrated]

Hey Mikeymike,

Thanks for that.... really, I need to hear it. But, I'm assuming you are a man... am I correct?

If you are then I must say it's just different being a woman. Men aren't expected to have flawless beautiful skin. Or, beautiful behinds for that matter.

[Mary]

I've had folliculitis for 10+ years on my butt. Luckily during sex I just avoid certain positions when the lights are on and then feel more comfortable doing other positions when it's dark - so my boyfriends have never known about it. But, it is extremely embarrassing when getting massages, but I figure they've seen worse things and so it's just something I've learned over the years to not worry about too much in that situation.

I saw a dermatologist about it and she just wanted to prescribe me medicine to make it go away. The prescriptions did work, however, but I don't want to be on prescriptions my entire life and knew that there has to be another way to deal with it. And, those of you on Accutane - see a different doctor! Accutane is to treat acne and folliculitis is NOT acne. Accutane can even make it worse.

I decided to see a holistic doctor. He was terrific and prescribed me with some basic instructions and... IT WORKED!!! After nearly ten+ years, my folliculitis is going away. It's amazing and I'm kicking myself because it was so easy!! And trust me when I tell you - I've literally tried everything. But, I didn't do the right things. So, I wanted to share this with you to help so you too can get rid of it:

1. Exfoliate with a LOOFAH every single day. Yes, exfoliate your butt. Use an all-natural bath wash (doesn't have to be antibiotic, but if it is, make sure it's Cetaphil's antibiotic soap -- do NOT use acne face wash on your butt- you DO NOT HAVE ACNE).
2. Pat your skin dry and once it's entirely dry, put baby powder on your butt.
3. Do not wear tight jeans - or jeans at all - if you can help it. If you must wear jeans, then under your jeans have on 100% full-coverage cotton underwear. Girls- do NOT wear thongs or no underwear with your jeans if you are trying to get rid of your folliculitis! The rubbing of your skin against your jeans causes friction which increases your folliculitis. Trust me on this. I actually have been wearing more skirts and dresses now and I can wear my cute underwear.
4. Try and cut back on wheat products. I don't know for sure if there's a link to gluten and folliculitis, but let me tell you, the more I don't eat gluten, the less I have folliculitis.
5. Increase your vitamins. Take a good multi-vitamin and B-Complex. There's some thought that folliculitis is caused by a lack of Vitamin A in your diet, so eat those carrots and maybe take a Vitamin A pill.
6. IMMEDIATELY after you work out, you must shower. No errands with sweaty clothes any more. Don't even think about sitting down for a bite to eat in your sweaty workout clothes before you've showered. You're just letting the folliculitis fester and grow with your sweaty clothes rubbing against your skin that is now dry with sweat on it. Your first stop after every workout should be the shower!
7. Use a clean towel every day to shower. Sleep on clean sheets.

I promise you! It will go away. You just have to treat it. I don't know if once it goes away if it will then come back if I go back to my old habits, but I've dealt with this long enough that since it's finally going away once I adopted the steps above, I had to share with you all.

Good luck.

[sick and tired]

Hey Mikeymike are you still using the selsun blue dandruff shampoo and anti-fungal creams? Does it seem to be working for you?

[Mikeymike]

Sick and Tired, I still do the selsun Blue and anti-fungals and it seems to keep everything very minor. Honestly, and I think I may have said this before, but I think antibiotics make everything worse... at least for me. I still have yet to do my salt water baths, but I'm a work in progress. LOL

[11sevenUp]

Try eliminating carrageenan from your diet. Check labels, it is in everything. It's a natural seaweed but studies have found it causes cancer in rats. It's in chocolate, ice cream, soy milk, artificial coffee creamer and many other food items.

[all gone]

I had this condition for many year and a weeks course of lamisil (thats the right - the athletes foot treatment cream!) it was gone and it never came back again, its the best thing that ever happened to me.

[No problem]

Tried everything except Selson Blue, proactiv, and antibiotics.
Here is what worked.
1) Veet hair removal system/ clippers to shorten hair. Never a razor. You must keep hair short to treat properly.
2) Bleach bath 1X per week. A small splash in a full bath.¼ cup or less.
3) Dial Gold. Nothing else. Ever! Too dry? Alternate use of Dial with Cetaphil. That’s it. If you need moisture: Use unrefined shea butter, or pure extra virgin olive oil. Only apply on properly cleansed skin. No more perfumed soaps and salicylic acid, bla bla bead scrub expensive junk. All the salicylic acid scrubs have perfume and other junk.
4) Tanning bed 3X per week. UV dries and prevents.
5) Baking soda scrub. 3 cups water 2 tbs of baking soda. Don’t scrub too hard.
6) Aspirin mask 1X-3X per week as needed. Put aspirin in a small dish, cover with water. Apply and let sit. Will dry dusty and flake off, everywhere. It’s a blood thinner, and it has high salicylic acid content. Don’t let the mask stay wet. It needs to dry. If it stays wet for several hours, it will eat the skin off, and blood can thin, be careful!
7) Hygiene. Whenever using toilet, use a small water pitcher and dial soap, or baking soda mixed with water. Keep water pitcher in the bathroom. Wash yourself every time. No more toilet paper. Wash every time, and then towel dry. To wash: use right hand to hold pitcher, and left hand to clean down below. Open legs, pour over pubic region, water will run down in necessary places. Clean everything. Small garden waterer works well. You can also get faucet attachments to use from sink.
Diet:
Massive amounts of Salmon/other oily fish. Fish is absolutely essential.(Fish oil caps will work if you don’t like fish. It will not work as well. Also add Old Bay spice and fish tastes better.) Dark Green salad Spinich, kale, mint, cilantro, basil onions, garlic etc. No crutons. No nasty cheeses. If you want cheese, bring ½ gallon milk to a boil add a tbs of salt. After boiling settles, pour in a little vinegar. Milk curds will separate from water. Pour mix through cheesecloth, tie cloth, hang and let drip off moisture. Maybe 1 hour. Squeeze. That is the best cheese. No more dried potatoes, breads, no noodles, boxed foods. No Fast foods. No chips, junk. sodas, slurpees. Etc. No powdered coffee creamers. Use half and half or milk. Find an orient/Asian store for ethnic foods. NO BOXED FOODS. Read the ingredients. That is not even food. It is chemical mixtures. That junk is junk. I mean garlic, tomatoes, onions, squash, fish, shrimp, clean foods. If you want good meat, go to a Jewish or Muslim butcher. They properly bleed the meat out. About the milk, go to a local dairy if you can, because the cows are filled with antibiotics in the industrial milking plant. That junk passes off into you, and then to your little bacterial friends, who then grow resistant…

[ken]

dan wrote:

<quoted text>
uggghh. i know what you mean!

yeah me too.

[getting there]

I think most people have a case of yeast/fungal/candida related follicultits, which is often misdiagnosed as acne (bacterial). So, anti-bios just make it worse in the long run. Here's what you can try:

1. Potassium permanganate - bath soak for 45 min each day. Make sure it is pink in colour. If it turns purple, it will be too strong and burn you!
2. No sugars (not even fruit, honey, milk, stevia, etc - absolutely zip for at least 1 month)
3. No gluten grains/wheat/rye/spelt (so no bread, pastry, pizza, etc)
4. No yeast/fungus (mushrooms, cheese, achohol)
5. no dairy

Eat meat, chicken, salmon, eggs (if not allergic)and veggies/salads. That's it. Nothing else. No shortcuts!

Drink plenty of water. sweat the toxins out with exercise or home sauna (turn your bathroom into a sauna - just shut the windows and door and sit in a very warm bath for 40 min). BUT, after you sweat, you must wash it off in the shower. Otherwise, your problem will increase.

I think you guys have a fungal/yeast overgrowth, which has compromised your immune system, which is why you can't fight the problem. Why? Too many anti-bios and bad food!!!

What you need is extreme self-discipline to beat this thing, and for at least several months. There is no easy way. Even if you take Diflucan (oral antifungal) you still need to follow the above instructions. Diet is key.

If you cheat on your diet even once (say, after 6 weeks) you will go back to square one in less than a day. Believe me, I know!!!).