Treating Folliculitis Cysts- "Down There"

[Steph]

I am currently undergoing Laser Hair Removal on my buttocks. I have done 3 treatments out of 9 so far. I haven't seen much improvement yet. I get the procedure done every 2 months.Has anyone had success with it? I've had this condition for 20 years now and this is my last option.

[Steph]

Frustrated wrote:

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.

Hi. We are in the same boat:) Did you have the Laser Hair Removal? I've done 3 out of my 9 treatments so far. I haven't seen an improvement. Hows yours going?

[louie 3000]

you all have helped alot ithought i wuz alone thanks for all the tips

[jess]

I have it too and I just found out what it was. It is extremely depressing that I finally found out what these painful things were and now I find out there is no real cure for them. It's so embarrassing and they hurt anytime my legs brush against each other.

[Yo mama]

CAFFEINE AND MILK completely avoid them for a while and check out the difference. Mine are pretty much gone only if i have some milk of caffeine it comes back BTW decaf has caffeine too

[Rhy]

I have had this problem for most of my adult life. the only thing that seems to work is Fucidin Cream. its a topical antibiotic cream. It comes as a ointment as well but its not as easy to use. you will need a prescription. apply a small amount to each eruption. It is Fusidic Acid Top Cr. 2% I have been told that Accutane was not a solution for me as I take medication that is counter indicated. Good Luck

[Bill Gluyas]

Just reading the comments, an excellent natural remedy is New Zealand Manuka oil products which are antibacterial and antifungal, these are a range of soaps creams and essential oils which have scientific trial backing. you can find them at www.manukanatural.com

[erikka]

I know exactly where to go to get rid of your folliculitis. The American Institute of Advanced Medicne has been treating folliculitis for more than 25 years ussing FDA approved medication with no known side effects and a 95% success rate. They are the real deal to ressolve youor problem.
www.theaiam.com

[Jmm88]

I want to start by saying thank god i am not the only one with this condition! I have had folliculitis for about 3 years now and its so embarrasing! I cant remember what med i was on but it made me so sick that i had to take a weaker dose which did nothing! I read that it can be caused by acne meds. im pretty sure my birth control contains acne prevention and i started breaking out with folliculitis in my inner thigh and groin area shortly after starting my bc.

Mikeymike, how soon did you start seeing results after using the selsun blue?

I also noticed that in my condition, with it being located on my thighs, loose clothing only makes it works! Yoga pants that arent flowy are a must!

I find it interesting that diet can help! I live on carbs and milk!!!!! Always have so not too sure why all of a sudden its causing me problems but its worth keeping track to see if there is any connection.

thanks for all the advice and possible treatments! Hopefully i can stop waddling like a duck during breakouts and feel more confident about my skin and body!

One other thing, does sweat have much to do with it? My armpits and upper lip sweat like its nobody's business and eventho my breakouts happen "down there" can that affect it?

[Anthony]

I am currently on my fifth course of Accutane from http://z-isotretinoin.info . When I began my first course in 2003 as a 14-year-old, I had extremely severe cystic acne. My face, neck, throat, chest, and back were all covered with acne. I had absolutely no self confidence whatsoever. To be perfectly honest, I hated my life. Within two months of beginning Accutane, my acne began to improve. By the time my first course was finished, I had gone from having severe cystic acne to completely acne-free. I had regained my confidence, and I began to truly enjoy life.

[Nim]

I finally eliminated most all carbs from my diet, and you know what, it's gone. I figured out you don't have to remove all carbs, just the bad modern refined ones. White bread, white flour, white rice, and white sugar will ALWAYS give me a new pustule, even in very small quantities. Natural foods are fine, but any simple carb will bring on an outbreak. Just try it, it's hard but worth it. You'll lose weight and lower your blood sugar too which is a bonus.

I will try this out. I've had them since adolescence and I am now 46. They are immensely painful and I currently have 4 - two of which I'm sitting on, one in my groin and the worst is on my labia. I am SO sick and tired if these things. I've tried everything. I've had a couple of laser treatments but it was expensive. I will try that again too because if anything, it makes bandaid removal less painful. I will try electrolysis on the most painful areas that can't be treated with the laser. I also find it humiliating. I'm not in a relationship right now so I can hide. It is such a disgusting thing!

[Joe]

It's nice to know that other people have the same problem that I have. I have a large collection of them in the groinal area and between butt cheeks. I also have some on my chest, back, chin line, neck, and ears. Also had a couple in my armpits. Sometimes it really does suck to be a hairy 15 year old.

[JazzyS]

Oct 7, 2011 - I have had groin folliculitis since I was 12. I'm 35 now. I have flare ups when I've gained weight mostly because there is more friction in the thighs and groin area. Also, the seams of underwear and pants cause flare ups. I get painful boils in the creases of my skin that are the size of a dime. They are very painful and hard. It runs in my family I think. My cousin (mom's sister's daughter) also has this in her groin area, but she also has it in between her breasts and they are very painful. So far I have not found a cure. Even wearing loose fitting underwear does not help since all underwear have seams and edges that irritate the sensitive area. I wish there was a cure.

[JazzyS]

And oh I forgot to mention that in the groin area I also have acanthoses ngricans which is a hyper pigmentation in the crease areas. My complexion is tan but the groin and inner thigh area are very dark with scars from the friction and the boils. It is very embarrassing to even get treatment for this.

[JazzyS]

Steph wrote:

I am currently undergoing Laser Hair Removal on my buttocks. I have done 3 treatments out of 9 so far. I haven't seen much improvement yet. I get the procedure done every 2 months.Has anyone had success with it? I've had this condition for 20 years now and this is my last option.

Hi Steph,
I've had lazer hair removal done in the bikini area. I did 8 sessions and the hair is 80% gone as they claimed. However, I still get the cysts in my groin and bikini area, and lately on my butt as well.

[Joe]

I've been told that I don't actually have folliculitis and have hidradenitis instead. Hidradenitis is not cured by hair removal.

[JazzyS]

I tried the antifungal cream yesterday on the one big cyst. I applied it 3 times or whenever it got dry. By night it had popped and oozed something. It's not totally gone but is less painful to walk now.

[Joe]

Antibacterial cream really has been working for me. I flare up a little bit if i don't use it, but when i do, i barely get any cysts.

[JazzyS]

I called Telehealth Ontario and spoke to a registered nurse. She was very sensitive and sympathetic. She told me to apply a moist wet compress for 15 minutes on the boil 3 times per day until the boil comes to head. She also said that if the boil oozes then that ooze is contagious to myself and others since the Staph bacteria spreads. I used a warm moist piece of gauze and then placed a towel and used a hot water bottle because the moist gauze by itself cooled pretty quickly. I was able to do this during the weekend, but not during the work week. Anyhow, the boil subsided.

I went to see my doctor today and she was very nice too. She said boils in the groin area are common for women because we shave that area. She said to always use disposable razors and to keep the area dry by using talc powder and breathable underwear to prevent bacterial infection.

She prescribed an antibacterial cream to apply 3x a day until the boils are gone (usually by day 7 said the pharmacist when I picked up the cream). The doctor said if they don't go away then she'll give me oral antibiotics.

I hope this post helps you out there. I will keep you posted.

[JazzyS]

I use a soap called Zest and the doctor said that is not a concern because it would cause boils everywhere, not just the groin.

I use a battery bikini trimmer and she said that to soak the trimmer head in rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes each time before use, in order to disinfect it.