Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Lupus
Have you ever heard of Hidradenitis suppurativa? It is a chronic skin disease that causes painful, boil-like lumps that form under the skin and often secrete pus and blood. Boils that happen over and over again might lead to an infection, according to Rarediseases.org.1 If you have several boils in the same place, you may be developing a carbuncle. Growing up I would see my mom get them frequently and she would go to the ER and it cut and drained out. She was given pain meds and antibiotics and it had to heal on its own. At first, I did not understand until I was diagnosed with lupus.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa and lupus flare
During my second kidney failure many other skin problems arose throughout my body. Blood clots would randomly erupt and now I am thinking that it was a boil from under my skin that eroded out. I have had boils on my lips, arms, and vaginal area. Do not worry ladies. It is common to come out down there in private areas. Sometimes it can even be your inner thigh. I had phases that my skin would peel like a new baby's bottom. The thing that I hate is that your doctor does not really give you self-reassurance.
They would just say, "it will go down on its own," and to "leave it alone." Well, I ended up getting more in that area and they still tell you to leave it alone. It will go down on its own. I am like how long will that be because it has been about more than a month. In some places, the healthcare system is all about money and not the care of its patients, which makes it harder for people to get the proper healthcare needed. So, I ended up doing a couple of things like changing the soap that I bathe my body with to a more sensitive soap and doing a healthy juice detox to remove all the toxins from my body. This helped get my body on a healthier track.
Things to keep in mind
Be mindful to keep track of time so you can inform your doctor of how long it has been since you have been having these problems with your body. If they do not see a journal, pictures, or some sort of proof they will not believe you. Nurses and doctors are trained to not take your word for it, so a lot of unnecessary procedures and tests is done on your body and it does more harm to your body than better. If a doctor can not tell you the reason why he is running a test and if he does explain and it does not add up, then do not do it. Do not put your body in harm's way because of a hunch. I noticed I had received a big boil on my inner thigh when I started to use Bath & Body Works products to bathe in. Do not, I repeat, do not bathe in something that is perfume scented. I hope this helps!
Community Poll
Have you submitted a bonus entry for our awareness month giveaway self-care basket?
Join the conversation