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I'm looking for help on dealing with groin cysts.

Posted , 6 users are following.

AnHSsufferer
AnHSsufferer

Hello everyone. This is my first time trying to reach out on an online forum for advice on dealing with Hiddadenitis Suppurativa. I've had this condition for almost 10 years now, and I sometimes get really painful, large cysts on my inner thigh to where it rubs against my groin area and clothes. I can't figure out what causes these large flare-ups, as I haven't eaten anything out of the norm (I've actually been eating way healthier than I used to), and I have been very active for the past 6 months (this is my first big flare-up during this time period). Does anyone have suggestions on how to prevent these flare-ups? Does anyone have suggestions of how to subside the unbearable pain prior to the cyst either opening on its own or having it lanced? I've been applying a topical antibiotic ointment prescribed by my dermatologist a while back, and have been covering the cyst with a gauze pad; is this okay for me to do? Or should I not have it covered? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • nicole08254
    nicole08254 AnHSsufferer

    Posted

    Hi. I have I guess a milder case than some of the people on this group and I think I do have HS elsewhere as well not just in my armpits but it's the worst in my armpits. I've had holes in my armpits, on and off and recently in the past 2 months my left armpit sadly had to have an outbreak cuz for the longest time it was my right one that started but then my left joined in. I had the biggest hole form so far since having HS in my left armpit and I could see my meat mainly. It looked like my body opened and pushed my flesh (skin) aside and left my raw meat out in the open, the part of your body that's under the skin. It looked awful and I covered it with a gauze pad and some sensitive skin pain free tape. I personally feel that keeping it covered kept it in a cleaner environment away from germs and it healed better being covered. I only let it be uncovered now and then mainly at bedtime but not often. So if you ask me keep it covered for a while and see what happens. You have nothing to lose by keeping it covered. It may help with the pain in a way too if it's covered so it's not physically being touched by other skin especially with warm weather conditions. The best thing to do also is to stay cool as much as possible. I take tylenol when I'm in pain from the HS and it does help. I've never used any antibiotic creams or ointments since I've had HS. Another thing that might help is to not wear underwear to bed, under your pj's cuz I stopped for a long time and still not and my groin area has been much better and not really bothering me and hasn't for a long time. Sorry if that sounds weird but it works. I also think it's hard to pinpoint sometimes why we get outbreaks...could it be our diets or possibly hormones, or maybe for reasons unknown...we know it's genetic but I also have pcos which plays a role in having the disease so I've got everything under the sun working against me anyways...well I hope I was able to help you even if it was just a little bit and good luck. Wish you well.
    • AnHSsufferer
      AnHSsufferer nicole08254

      Posted

      Thanks so much. I decided to keep it covered and I've been cleaning it with hibicleanse and then applying the topical antibiotic. It opened up last night and drained while I was sleeping (luckily I had plenty of gauze pads on at the time) so I'm definitely keeping it covered now until it drains and heals completely. I guess I should start stepping up my upkeep and continue to use hibicleanse in the "prone" areas to try and prevent any infections. I thought about not wearing underwear to bed, but because of the location I feel like my underwear keeps the gauze pads secure. I wish you well with your HS journey, and if I come up with some miracle breakthrough treatment I will let you know!!
    • nicole08254
      nicole08254 AnHSsufferer

      Posted

      You are so welcome and thank you as well. You should do what's comfortable for you so if you're more comfortable wearing your underwear to bed then just do that. You should do what feels right to you. I'm kinda the same way but I'm sure it's not as a "pain in the bum" if you will, if it's in the armpits compared to being in the groin area. It's all awful but it's harder to have it in the groin. Anyway I think you will see a difference hopefully. Good luck! smile
  • mitch16467
    mitch16467 AnHSsufferer

    Posted

    I also get really bad cysts on the groin area due to HS. I used to let them really bad and let them drain on their own, get them lanced, or take antibiotics. However, with years of experience (as most of you here), I learned that certain things can be done to prevent this.

    First and foremost, do not put on your clothes while your skin is still moist. TMI, but I used to do this after showers all the time. Big no no because although HS works differently than regular cysts, some things remain the same. Going to the beach or being in a pool is a big problem for me because I can't have that area wet and rubbing againts moist clothes or else I'll get a NASTY falre up. So now after I shower I sit in front of a fan until I'm completely dry. 

    Try using antibacterial soap when showering as well. Idk if that works for other people but I've noticed it makes a difference for me. 

    Also, very important...USE WARM/HOT COMPRESSES when you feel a cyst coming up. IT IS A LIFE SAVER. Perferrably in it's early stages that so that you get blood flowing to that area before it gets worse. Trust me, this makes a difference. Lancing hurts like a b****. Anyway, just soak up a clean peice of towel in the hotest water you can handle and press it against the cyst until the towel is warm and REPEAT for 20 minutes a couple of times a day. 

    I heard diet is also a big factor. Personally, it's been hard enough for me to eat clean as it is that I haven't had the willpower to cut out nightshades just yet rolleyes

    Other than what I've just mentioned. Stress is the primary culprit of all my worst flare ups, so I try to de-stress as much as possible. 

    • nicole08254
      nicole08254 mitch16467

      Posted

      Hi. I haven't had it as bad as some have but it's been out of control before. I've tried the warm compresses but it didn't really do much for me but I also haven't tried it as hot as I could stand it though. So when my HS isn't a wide open wound I'll have to try it that way. I'm so with you on the nightshades thing cuz pretty much everything on that list I love. Nightshades play a huge roll in my diet and I'm stubborn and don't wanna stop eating them...I like them too much. So I totally agree that it would be very hard to quit them cold turkey. I've also had a huge stressful and emotionally painful situation in my life that I still deal with today...I'm sure that that didn't help me at the time cuz it had happened before I got HS and the diagnosis... Well good luck and wish you well.
    • mitch16467
      mitch16467 nicole08254

      Posted

      Stress is a HUGE factor. I was in remission for a while (first few years of being in a wonderful relstionship) then I started having crippling anxiety 6 months ago and BAM! Got a cyst so bad that I had to get it incised and drained sad Since then I've had the most horrible flare up since when I first got HS. These have been the most stubborn cysts I've ever gotten because they don't drain on their own, so now I know for sure stress and emotions are a big component. Everyone is different though!

  • skellitor
    skellitor AnHSsufferer

    Posted

    Hi there. It's likely that you haven't had a bad cysts in this time period because you have been active. Sweating lots clears out your pores and stops them from becoming clogged up, from ingrown hairs from occurring, and therefore, from cysts forming.

    I've tried using hot compresses on cysts in the past to get them to come to a head but with no luck. I honestly don't like the idea of it either. An inflammation thrives on heat so while you're trying to thin the skin at the top to get the cyst to drain, I don't believe that it's the best thing to do for it. I'm not sure that there is a lot that you can do once you have a cyst so I'm afraid that I'm no use there. I generally go to the doctor to get a round of antibiotics. they will usually give you flucloxacilin that you have to take on an empty stomach (don't even drink anything other than water, to get the strongest effect from it) four times a day (ie one hour before/two hours after food). It's not immediate but it will get rid of it fairly quickly. If the flux doesn't work for you ask for doxycycline.

    To avoid getting cysts keep up the exercise, you could even just try some planks while you have this painful cyst, to get some sweat flowing. Make sure you shower immedaitely after and use an anti-microbial wash like Dermol 500 (prescription) and try not to be sitting around in sweaty/wet clothing.

    Hope that helps some!

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