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Newly diagnosed and feeling anxious

Posted , 3 users are following.

kat69572
kat69572

Hi everyone.  I was diagnosed with HS about 7 months ago, after I had what I thought was an abscess under my arm.  It iniitally went away, but a few weeks later returned.  After having to go through a mammogram to make sure it wasn't something more sinister my PCP diagnosed me with HS and gave me instrutions to wash frequently and use a pain relieving cream when it was bothering me a great deal.  

It cleared up for a few months but now has returned and has been getting worse over the last few months, causing painful bumps all around my shoulder.  

It worries me a lot because it's making my shoulder and arm incredibly sore in an achy, sore kind of way and my entire arm seems to be a little swollen (it feels better if I use the pain relieving cream under my arm, otherwise I would be in panick mode).  Is this something that happens to other people?  I read that the scarring from HS can cause swelling and pain, I didn't realize it coud be this bad without having an obvious, draining wound. 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • hypercat
    hypercat kat69572

    Posted

    Hi poor you.  Go back to your doctors and tell them what's been happening.   It sounds like it needs incising (scraping out the material inside) by a surgeon.   Also you should have had a referral to a dermatologist so ask for one.  x
    • kat69572
      kat69572 hypercat

      Posted

      Yeah I am planning to go see my doctor.  I've had really gross puss draining from that area in the past, and I have one huge pore that opens up much wider whenever it's acting up, so I think I've had it for a long time and just didn't know what it was.  In the past I could squeeze the puss out of the pore, but lately I can't get it to drain.
    • nicole08254
      nicole08254 kat69572

      Posted

      Well my dermatologist told me never to squeeze them. I'm assuming it's because if you squeeze them it could push the fluid stuff deeper into the area which could cause more of an issue...but I think we just shouldn't have hs period. Any of us. Too bad we couldn't just wake up one day and it be totally gone and never to return. I'm sure once you go and see your doctor again you will be able to ask questions and hopefully find a way to relieve your discomfort. If your body won't create the holes you need for draining maybe your doctor will just have them drained...? Maybe it's just taking your body a while to be like hello make holes.
    • hypercat
      hypercat kat69572

      Posted

      Yes Nicole is dead right there.  The other reason not to squeeze is because you run the risk of spreading the infection to other areas.  If it is draining then slight pressure on it to help it along is ok but make sure your hands are clean and you keep the area as sterile as possible.  

      If you haven't yet seen a dermatologist yet you need to ask your doctor for a referral.  The reason is that doctors aren't skin specialists but dermatologists are and they know all the latest trestment and can adise you much better.  x

  • nicole08254
    nicole08254 kat69572

    Posted

    Hi. I'm sure you're not the only one who has the hs the way you do. Mine happens to only be under my arms and I have the open wounds that have to drain and they last what feels like forever. I've got the ugly scarring and it doesn't necessarily hurt but I think that it can make your skin on the tight side and if you stretch your arm out or move the wrong way it could hurt but by itself there's no pain for me. I haven't heard of the cream that you were given for it though. The only thing I do when I've got pain from the hs is take some tylenol and I also cover my wound(s) with a gauze pad with some sensitive skin pain free tape. Not all the time just some of the time. It might feel better pain-wise if your body created holes for draining but when it doesn't or hasn't yet ya I'm sure it's terrible for you. It took a while for my body to create the holes for draining when I had hs and didn't know it. It took around 6 months or so before they started showing up. I ended up going to a dermatologist and was diagnosed then. Mine has been constant since way before I was diagnosed. I've had no breaks/clear ups since I've had it. It definitely takes it's tole. I do recall when I've had huge bumps under my arms it does cause deep, dull aching pain in my arm(s)but it didn't last a long time just a little amount of time. I hope you get some relief asap. Good luck and wish you well.
  • dmariep93746
    dmariep93746 kat69572

    Posted

    Hi KAT, I've had HS since I was 14 years old, I'm 53 now. for years Dr. advised to use HOT compresses, keep washing frequently (several X a day),just an ingrown hair, yes it's painful but everybody gets them,you will live.I just went nuts &started to cry. I know what an ingrown hair is~this ongoing mess makes holes in me, sweat, heat, n clothes just increase their size & pain, bikini area (n behind)under arms and in my mouth! So the good doctor checked me for herpes...I have since found a female GP that gave this torment a name and a compound of steroid and lidocaine to allow me to sit and stay clothed. It's not contagious but becomes a monster at times of high stress,sweat,jeans& pantyhose. Do not scrub or pop or pick,~ infection will hurt and scar you more than original sore. Zinc cream (diaper) helps protect healing sores.
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