I have a TMI question...

[Lizandrk 1]

Ok, so I'm not at goal yet but I began having this problem when I began working out 18 mths ago! I get boils! I've tried to research them and see if it's something I'm maybe just genetically prone to, if it's because I have the excess skin, or if I'm doing something wrong. They are painful, embarassing and hard to get rid of. I get rid of 1 and another one comes up. I've been told by a dermatologist that I'm prone to in-grown hairs...but I can't conclude if boils are a result of that or not, I don't think they are. (And no I haven't seen a dermatologist for the boils because I haven't had insurance, I was told that about my skin a few years ago, I will have insurance in the next 30-45 days so I WILL see a dermatologist then.)

So, I wear Spanx a lot, almost everyday. This seems to make it worse, but sometimes it doesn't. I get them mostly in my groin area! Soooo embarassing! Either at the top, on the side, in my bikini line, on my inner thigh, just all around that general area. And I KNOW I need a Tummy Tuck, but I'm waiting to finish losing weight--having another child--lose weight again...before scheduling a tummy tuck. I hope this problem would be resolved by doing that, because I'm considering an inner thigh lift too.

But in the meantime, I don't know if I need to stop wearing spanx do something different, or what? I always shower right after working out, take good care of my skin (washing, exfoliating, hydrating daily) I don't wear jeans that are too tight or any of that jazz, I just can't seem to keep them at bay.

However, when I'm getting a brazilian wax regularly, they seem to not show up AS OFTEN...but then, when I have 1 I don't want to get a wax because it makes them more noticeable (to my boyfriend) Ugh! Help!

Thanks so much for any input you may have!!!

[Lizandrk 1]

Oh and also, I HAVE photographed all of these issues and occurences in hopes that I may be able to someday get my insurance to pay for either the Tummy Tuck or the inner thigh lift, based off of medical need...

[Snoopyloverny 3]

They say u need to let that area breathe at night so put on a long nightgown and sleep underless!

[Jachut 487]

I think you probably shoudl stop wearing the Spanx. Tight undergarments like that dont let your skin breathe and its obviously a problem for you. It may or may not work, but you wont know unless you try it. If you're waxing reasonably regularly, it might indeed be ingrown hairs, you can buy various cosmetic solutions that supposedly prevent ingrowns, along with some pretty vigorous exfoliation every day. I think everyone's had the odd ingrown hair from bikini line waxing/shaving. But it might just be that you're more prone to them, like you've been told. I know its not really something you'd want to do but perhaps going completely au naturale might help too.

[Lizandrk 1]

I do sleep almost naked at night, so I think that helps a ton! I know the Spanx probably aren't good, I've been wearing maxi dresses more often (feeling thinner and more girly, yay) and I dont' wear spanx with those so it feels VERY freeing! I just need to buy a few more...! Yeah, I've done a little more research the last few days and I AM now convinced it is totally the ingrown hair thing. Because I never used to wax but the last year I have and I've had way less issues (boils). However, I haven't done it in the the last 2 mths and I've had so many it's been a MAJOR ISSUE! So I resolved I MUST continue the waxing and do it regularly!

So question though, if it's all MOSTLY b/c of my high liklihood of having ingrown hairs, would you assume I could do laser hair removal in problem areas and never have the problem again???

[jodie51878 1]

also boils can be caused by staph and MRSA...both infections, both can possibly be severe and both can be contagious .....you should definitely get checked out when insurance allows.

[AquarianCrab 8]

I've had problems for years, even before my surgery. My doctor told me to only wear 100% cotton undies - no nylon or spandex because they provide a perfect environment for infections to set in. I used to get some nasty infections in that area and under my "apron" and now wearing the cotton undies I rarely do. On those rare occasions (usually in the summer when I sweat a lot) my doc said to put Caldescene powder on it and it clears it right up. I threw all of my Spanx and nylon undies in the trash. Cotton only now for me.

[Lizandrk 1]

You know what's odd? I've noticed that last week I didn't wear Spanx much because I was wearing dresses and that's when I started getting them more, or just worse. This week I've worn my spanx because I'm wearing my normal dress pants for work and they're GETTING BETTER! So I'm thinking normally the spanx is a barrier between my skin and sweat or something...oddly they're better. But I will go out asap and buy that Caldescene powder b/c I've never been able to buy ANYTHING that works! I hope that sure does!!! I think I'm just going to do laser hair removal in the very near future so I don't have to worry about it anymore. thanks everyone for all the opinions!

[kovi2eliana1 0]

You know what's odd? I've noticed that last week I didn't wear Spanx much because I was wearing dresses and that's when I started getting them more, or just worse. This week I've worn my spanx because I'm wearing my normal dress pants for work and they're GETTING BETTER! So I'm thinking normally the spanx is a barrier between my skin and sweat or something...oddly they're better. But I will go out asap and buy that Caldescene powder b/c I've never been able to buy ANYTHING that works! I hope that sure does!!! I think I'm just going to do laser hair removal in the very near future so I don't have to worry about it anymore. thanks everyone for all the opinions!

GOLD BOND POWDER is my miracle powder (you can get a "copy" of iin the dollar store. Dry the rash carefully and apply powder generously. It's ususually gone by morning. Good luck!

[Staceven 0]

I had this same issue for almost 2 years, then my 18 month old daughter had it. They immediately diagnosed her with staph. A light bulb went on and I knew thats what I had to. The doctor had me bathe my entire family of five including babies in a bleach bath for 2 months. It worked! Like a half a cup of bleach per bath.

[genesishanna 2]

I had a boil right before surgery. I had to get it lanced. Consider what you are eating since you been dieting and also what products you are using. My mother would get them from tomatoes and Tomato based products. I would get them in my armpits when I changed deodorant. Also, corn starch works wonders for the under belly.

[VickiC 0]

this is really a long shot but i am assuming when you wear a dress you are not wearing panty hose right? if you are./. or even if youre not.. im slightly suspicious that you may have a slight latex allergy. Or an allergy to the laundry detergent? In grown hairs.. always keep coming back in the same place just fyi... notice if they are always in the same place. its a problem with the hair folicle so the whole folicle needs to be removed..( or lazered) so the easy way would be to do one and see if its gone.

but with no insurance; im afraid it might be too expensive.

now i gotta lecture you like a mother.. most insurances are not going to cover a fill period. especially if it was a pre-existing condition. if youre still losing weight then thats cool. but if you arent .. Girlllllllll.. go get a fill!!! . ) you know it wont cost as much as a brazillian wax.. ( ok that was a text book mother type guilt trip )

[anewchapter 0]

If there are not medical problems...staph, mrsa, I would try laser hair removal. At least then you'd know if it was caused by in grown hairs and start eliminating possibilities. I should also mention, my room mate had some weird skin issues happening, including boils in the same area as well as armpit, she ended up having Celiac desease (not to the point were she was having the digestion issues, but the gluteen was coming out in her skin). If that makes sense. She was put on an antibiotic and they are clearning up.

[Lizandrk 1]

I had this same issue for almost 2 years, then my 18 month old daughter had it. They immediately diagnosed her with staph. A light bulb went on and I knew thats what I had to. The doctor had me bathe my entire family of five including babies in a bleach bath for 2 months. It worked! Like a half a cup of bleach per bath.

Thank you! I will try this! All the talk of staph is REALLY starting to concern me b/c the newest THREE I have, I've had for a week now w/ minimal change even after me trying different things, all things that have been suggested so far.

[Lizandrk 1]

this is really a long shot but i am assuming when you wear a dress you are not wearing panty hose right? if you are./. or even if youre not.. im slightly suspicious that you may have a slight latex allergy. Or an allergy to the laundry detergent? In grown hairs.. always keep coming back in the same place just fyi... notice if they are always in the same place. its a problem with the hair folicle so the whole folicle needs to be removed..( or lazered) so the easy way would be to do one and see if its gone.

but with no insurance; im afraid it might be too expensive.

now i gotta lecture you like a mother.. most insurances are not going to cover a fill period. especially if it was a pre-existing condition. if youre still losing weight then thats cool. but if you arent .. Girlllllllll.. go get a fill!!! . ) you know it wont cost as much as a brazillian wax.. ( ok that was a text book mother type guilt trip )

LOL! Actually...right now w/ no insurance, a wax costs me $50 and a fill costs me $250. Once I have my insurance my fill will only be $45-50 (depending) for a Specialist Office visit. I will NOT put off getting a fill SCHEDULED the same day my new insurance goes into effect!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the detergent thing, I never thought about it. I do always get them in my panty line...maybe I'm using too much fabric softner or something. I do have somewhat sensitive skin, I am allergic to band-aids and surgical tape, but not latex....