Question:
Please help. 8 days pre-op and I have a boil.

I've had them before & I'll have them again. I sometimes have them drained at my PCP, but that's no fun because I'm allergic to lidocaine (so no local anesthesia for me). But NOW I fear that, if any of my WLS docs find out about this gigantic thing, they'll cancel my surgery. It's about the size of a key lime, in my pubic hair region (nice, huh?). I'm trying hot baths and hot washcloths. Can anybody give me any other tips to make this thing go away FAST! (Sorry for the long post.)    — Annie H. (posted on September 9, 2003)

September 9, 2003
You could try going to Walgreens and getting Boil Ease. I used to have to use it all the time.
   — Nancy S.

September 9, 2003
first let me say that any advice I give you, you use AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION. What I am going to tell you has worked for me, it may not work for everyone. It is dangerous. I know all this, don't razz me or send me hate email. So, here you go. I get these boils on my pubic region (usually after wearing tight pants with a tight seam that rubs where the boil appeared. Well, I sterilize a safety pin and using a mirror, I insert the safety pin into the center of the boil. Have some tissue ready because there will be fluid. It is very painful, and it will remain swollen for several days, but the pressure will go away almost immediately. The only soreness left will be from the squeezing the fluid out. Then, take some alcohol and cleanse the area very well. You may have to repeat this several times, adding more and more alcohol daily to keep it clean. This has worked for me, it may work for you. Prepare to be grossed out. -Erinn
   — Erinn D.

September 9, 2003
in most cases boils are a bacterial infection. I personally would get to my pcp asap for antibiotics. If it is not COMPLETELY healed for surgery you MUST tell your surgeeon. How would you like to get n infection in your incision that might cause it to open up, drain for weeks / or months, and have to pack it with guaze and stuff several times a day for months! think carefully. If your surgeon needed to post pone you for a little while to keep you from serious complications wouldn't you want to go the healthiest route possible?! this is about your health , right?
   — **willow**

September 9, 2003
I'm sorry your PCP isn't infomred enough to give you a NAME for this disease aside from "A BOIL"... you've gotten them before, you'll get them again. (you said) I bet they come right before you period or right after? I bet you've been told by doctors that if you lost wieght it would go away?? I bet you've been made to feel DIRTY becuase of the boils in such a personal area?? well DON"T... it's not your fualt!! it's NOT becuase your fat either... and "IF" we could get the medical community to stop treating (or not treating) it as if it were so nasty "WE" could actually get some funding available to get some help for this. this DISEASE (it's a disease when it becomes constant and reccuring) HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA.. yes it has a name!! I have dealt with it since I was 13 years old. I have had to have 4 radical/major surgerys becuase of it and am on disability as well. I am a pretty severe case in it has attacked my arm pits, my breasts (surgery at the age of 22 to remove diseased tissue) my abdomen (surgery in 99) my ENTIRE groin area including the labia, the thighs, the buttocks including the anal area, and any where else it wants to attack. it leaves nasty scars and connects it's self from one "boil" to another. there is NO CAUSE OR CURE. and becuase it's still considered to be on the NORDS rare list it isn't umbrelled into an autoimmune catagory although thats what it really is. it's on the rare list becuase back to the doc's they don't give it a name.. so sad huh? ok, so for surgery. get to your doc NOW, get on antibiotics and if it is ready for draining get it done. as long as your white blood count is normal (which is will be as long as the boil doesn't turn into celluliuts) your surgeon should have no ploblem doing the surgery. but you need to tell him so at the time of surgery they can give you a HIGH dose of antibiotics.. I had about 6 active boils at the time of my surgery but my WBC was good other than surgery I will only take antibiotics when I have cellulits (that is when the boil cuases the skin around it to become infected.. red, hot and inflamtion... not in the boil it's self but AROUND the boil) as for you not being able to get them to numb the area when you have had them drained before is becuase it won't... when there is infection the numbing med doesn't work. lord do I know this for a fact.. I'm gonna post a couple of web pages for you to check out so you can read more about HS. good luck and if you wanna chat just drop me a line any time... http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/diseases/hidradenitis_suppurativa.htm#tx http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hidradenitis/messages
   — theresa D.

September 9, 2003
A better name for a Boil is "Furuncle" which can be confused with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. The difference is that Hidradenitis involves sweat gland bearing areas, Furuncles can occur anywhere. Both can be recurring. If I were you I would make an appointment with your PCP right away so they can drain it and put you on antibiotics since bacteria is probably involved. Until then use intermittent hot compresses this may help it to drain on its own. I would also tell your surgeon since he is the one who will be taking care of you in the hospital. If he decides to post-pone your surgery he is doing it so that you can be safe and healthy! I really doubt that he will though but every surgeon is different. I hope this helps.
   — Kara J.

September 9, 2003
I get boils too, actually it runs in my family, so my PCP says. It is true though my father gets them. I don't think they would cancel your surgery but try calling your doc and see if they reccomend anything else. Keep putting warm compresses on it and if it does burst of course clean it well. GOOD LUCK!
   — Saxbyd

September 9, 2003
Hi. Original poster here. I DO know what the boil is called. I've been told "carbuncle." I simply don't use the term because it turns my stomach. I do not get them at the time of my period necessarily. I know that it's not only due to obesity. My father had them and my 5'10" 120 pound sister gets them all the time. We are very fair skinned, and very sensitive. Thanks for everybody's advice. I truly appreciate it. I just wanted to avoid the visit to the docs, and was hoping that I might find a way to make this thing go away faster. I am using warm compresses. I believe that it is working, since I have no pain at all anymore. If I don't see great improvement by tomorrow morning, I will call the surgeon's office. Again, thank you all for your advice. :)
   — Annie H.