Do Recurrent Boils Have Anything to Do With Diabetes?
I am a 43-year-old woman and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two years ago. I've always had pretty good skin, but in the past year I've had a problem with boils in my groin area. My job is very stressful at times, and I think this has something to do with when they surface. I've noticed they usually rear their ugly heads between ovulation and my period, and at a time when I'm stressed out and eating poorly, too. My gynecologist has prescribed me antibiotics to treat them twice already this year. Can you please
tell me what the connection is between boils and diabetes, and how best to care for them?
Name Withheld
Houston
Belinda Childs, MN, ARNP, BC-ADM, CDE, responds: Skin abscesses, also known as boils, are more common in people with uncontrolled diabetes. They are usually caused by bacteria, typically Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus, but the abscesses can also be caused by other bacteria. For example, MRSA (methyl-resistant Staph aureus) is a dangerous bacteria that can initially look like a boil. It is important that the boils be evaluated by a health care provider and the right antibiotic prescribed. You can develop blood infections from untreated abscesses. Staph is the most common cause of infections at insulin pump needle sites.
Bacteria flourish in moist, dark, warm areas of the body, including the groin and underarm areas. You can get an abscess or boil in any location. We know that high blood glucose levels, even for short periods of time, can delay healing and increase the risk of infection. Stress, whether emotional or physical (including menstruation), can also lower your immunity and increase the likelihood that an infection will develop. Yeast and fungal infections are more common in people with uncontrolled diabetes, too.
Keeping your blood glucose level as close to normal as possible will help reduce the frequency of the abscesses. Talk to your pharmacist about a strong antibacterial soap.
Finally, even though it may be embarrassing, always talk to your health care provider about any unusual skin infections.
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Can poor blood sugar control cause hair loss?
have seen my hair line
have seen my hair line receede at an astronomic rate in the last two years...i learned about two years ago i was a t1 diabetic...and unfortunately i have not taken care of the blood sugar...since you mentioned it...may be a connection
ouch they fhurt
I have had a painful boil for over a week now. No matter what I have tried I cannot seem to get it to drain. I finally after many days of suffering it drained with a big hole left behind.. I can't get to the Doctor often because I dont have any health insurance right now. Is it extremely important to treat with antibiotics??
Keeping a antibiotic
Keeping a antibiotic ointment on the area and keep it covered. Many triple antibiotic ointments are over the counter work very well. maintain your protein intake, it will help promote faster healing as proteins are used to heal tissue damage. after a few days if it still looks like its not healing you should consult a doctor.
boils arond the pelvic region.
i am a 28years old lady.i ave had some recurrent small multipul boils over my pelvic region for the past 10yrs.When they heal they leave black sports and some may heal without pumping out pus but the area becomes dark and hard.they usually appear 2wks before my periods.my pelvic region is rough and with black sports and its so embarrassing.will they ever be treated.please help me.
The same problem
I'd be really interested to hear some professional advice regarding this.
boils
i have had same problem for last 18 months. have taken sooo many short courses of antibiotics (often resulting in thrush), and then a 6 week course prescribed by a dermatologist. But they keep returning. also similarly get one about the week before period like you. i have done everything recommended by doctors: wash clothes in antibacterial detergent, dry them in the sun, wash myself with antibacterial soap including special shampoo, take diluted bleach baths, have even paid ten bucks or something over the internet to find the "secret" cure which is using tea tree oil on body and drinking tumeric tea - yuck! I don't understand why the medical profession has no answers for boils!!! Also made some changes like trying to increase my daily protein inake; eliminating mannitol from my diet (an "artifical" sweetener metabolised by staph aureus ingested in my case via nicotine replacement lozenges); and attempting to "correct" any imbalance in my gastro and vaginal flora by using "good" bacteria suppositories and oral med. I do not have diabetes and am not overweight and am otherwise well.
Yeast Infection and Diabetes?
Thanks for sharing this! I have boils and I'm also afraid it might turn into diabetes! Please, help me, Belinda Childs! Thanks.
Boils
1000 mg garlic keeps them away! Daily
reccurant boils
I've been suffering for 10 years with recurrent boils. Rarely do I get more than a week without having one. Life is miserable. Mine were tested and it's a type of staph. The medical profession treats you like you are disgusting to be seen when you get them (in the groin area) so I just stopped going. I use water as hot as I can stand it, alcohol to try and dry them, wash with betadine and anti-bacterial soaps every day. Nothing will fix this. I'm beside myself and need antibiotics.
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