Carbuncles, Furuncles, boils, etc. and marathon training

[KarthVader]

Hello all!

It's embarrassing to discuss this on an online forum (good thing I won't see any of your clean shaven faces ), but about 2 months ago I got boil/furuncle that turned into a massive carbuncle on my back, just below the end of my scapula (shoulder blade). I know what causes these this (Staph. aureus.), and I got it treated by a primary care physician. At the time, I was working out pretty intensely, so I assumed I got it from the gym. 40 Bactrim pills later, I was back to normal.

Fast forward to a week ago and I have a single boil just below the original carbuncle and possible another boil along the way!

I just started training for a marathon and I'm wondering if there is anyway to stifle these outbreaks. It's very annoying, painful and disheartening. I feel like I'm a walking plague.

Should I be using antibacterial soaps/body washes? Are there any methods of treatment I should be using that have worked for you?

 

[Lusitano]

Try soaps with tea tree, it has powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungicide properties.

 

[KarthVader]

Try soaps with tea tree, it has powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungicide properties.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've been reading up on natural antibacterial solutions and tea tree oil based body washes are on my list.

Any suggestions for a particular type that has been successful for you?

 

[Pkrankow]

I had a similar run of problems in college from re-running (wearing again without washing) workout clothing, and from cleanliness of the machines. If you are at home or in a gym it is a good idea to use the spray to wipe the machine before and after your workout or set.

Phil

 

[professorchaos]

See a doctor. The internet is good for many things. Soliciting medical advice is not one of them.

 

[The Nid Hog]

See a doctor. The internet is good for many things. Soliciting medical advice is not one of them.

Henry is right. If I were you, I'd get back to the doctor and get this checked.

 

[RCR]

Google "Prid" - a drawing salve for boils.

 

[kingfisher]

I agree with Henry.

I'll offer my two cents, though, as an infectious diseases doctor who sees this several times a week (the residents call me the "mayor of MRSAville").

First: keep your skin as healthy as possible. Use artisan soaps or boutique soaps (or non-soap cleansers) that won't dry your skin. Do NOT use antibacterial soaps. Wash no more than once a day and use medium water temperatures (not too hot, in other words). Healthy skin is the first defense.

Second: If your skin needs moisturizing, use a moisturizer that comes in a pump or squeeze bottle, never one that comes in a tub. The tub is easily contaminated by bacteria, which could make the problem worse.

Third: Once a week, in place of your usual mild soap, use Hibiclens or Phisohex (the former is available without a prescription, but is not cheap). Use it just like you would use your soap. Rinse thoroughly. If Hibiclens dries out your skin, back off to once every week and half, and keep your skin well moisturized.

Good luck. Furunculosis tends to recur no matter what you do. The above are merely ideas about how to decrease the frequency of the recurrences.

 

[KarthVader]

I agree with Henry.

I'll offer my two cents, though, as an infectious diseases doctor who sees this several times a week (the residents call me the "mayor of MRSAville").

First: keep your skin as healthy as possible. Use artisan soaps or boutique soaps (or non-soap cleansers) that won't dry your skin. Do NOT use antibacterial soaps. Wash no more than once a day and use medium water temperatures (not too hot, in other words). Healthy skin is the first defense.

Second: If your skin needs moisturizing, use a moisturizer that comes in a pump or squeeze bottle, never one that comes in a tub. The tub is easily contaminated by bacteria, which could make the problem worse.

Third: Once a week, in place of your usual mild soap, use Hibiclens or Phisohex (the former is available without a prescription, but is not cheap). Use it just like you would use your soap. Rinse thoroughly. If Hibiclens dries out your skin, back off to once every week and half, and keep your skin well moisturized.

Good luck. Furunculosis tends to recur no matter what you do. The above are merely ideas about how to decrease the frequency of the recurrences.

Thanks doc!

 

[kingfisher]

Not only have I heard of it, but a colleague and I actually did studies about what concentration is required to kill MRSA and how long it would require to effectively kill it (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18756186).

I sometimes recommend them, but only in certain situations. We use 1/2 cup of bleach to a quarter-tub of bath water, and have the patient sit in the solution for 5 minutes. I never have them do this more than once a week. I recommend this only in situations where all the furuncles have been below the waist (buttocks and thighs, mostly). If you do it correctly, most people tolerate it pretty well and anecdotally it seems to work.

 

[Blue Raccoon]

instead of a primary care doc you need to see a dermatologist..

 

[kingfisher]

Very cool! Thank you, that's a good explanation. Is the reason that you recommend it for below-the-waist problems because of the difficulty, for non-contortionists, of immersing the upper body in a typical bathtub? Curious minds need to know! On this subject, have you ever experimented with manuka honey on MRSA lesions?

You pretty much have it nailed, Michelle. It's pretty hard to submerge your entire body in bleach water. The other thing is that the buttocks and thighs are very common problem areas for furuncles, especially in toddlers.

We use medi-honey on infected surgical wounds. This is essentially honey that has been made by pathogen-free bees (in other words, in a controlled environment). I'm not sure what they feed on, but a lot of research has gone into which types of honey provide the best antimicrobial activity, so I think they use whatever produces the best product.

 

[professorchaos]

Again, allow me to stress that trying any of the remedies without the direction or supervision of a doctor is not a good idea.

 

[TimmyBoston]

This is a medical question, you're going to need to consult a physician. B&B can't dispense medical advice. Good luck on your recovery and marathon training.