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I've lived personally with the problem of recurring boils since puberty. Around the age of 13 or 14 I remember finding what I thought were very large pimples on different parts of my body. I was extremely embarrassed about this condition, and kept it a secret for many years. As time went on, I did a little reading and found out that what was appearing on my body were boils - and the condition worsened as I aged. Not only did I develop more and more of these painful boils, but they grew in size, as well as starting to form in other areas of my body. It took years to even speak about this to another human being - and good old Mom, as kind-hearted and loving as she was, had no practical advise. Finally, in my early 20's, I consulted a doctor about the problem. Not only did I come away disappointed, without any treatment, cause or diagnosis - I also was left with the feeling that *I* was to blame for the problem. I was told that I needed to develop better hygiene practises. Yet I was washing 3 to 4 times a day or more to try and get rid of the problem. Subsequent visits to other doctors at other times in my life were even less fruitful. It wasn't until I came upon some information online through research of my own, that I realized this wasn't a problem that only affected me - and that there was actually a name for what it might be - Hidradenitis Suppurativa (also referred to in this document as "HS"). Finding a name was a nice start, but finding people who had suffered with the same problems as I have was a lifesaver. I no longer felt alone, nor did I feel ashamed. Instead of I felt empowered to do something. I started this site the same night that I found a support group online for H.S. It started as one page, full of as many links as I could find about boils and H.S. It still is relatively small, but has definitely grown over 10 months. The email and guestbook signings always make me happy - that I've reached someone with this information, and made them feel less alone. I was finally diagnosed with H.S. in 2001. The diagnosis is really little comfort since there is no real cure. It is considered a "rare" disease, and since the real problem lies with the actual boils, I am finding it best to treat those as well as I can. My most successful treatment to date (and there have been many) was been a trial of burdock root supplement. I also have had quite a bit of success when I've eaten a low-meat (or no-meat), low-fat & low-sugar diet. I've found that a reduction in caffeine has also helped, and keeping stress to a minimum also seems to help. With these efforts, I have significantly reduced the amount of boils I get, as well as their duration (from the time they occur until they finally heal). My desire is to share everything I've learned. In 2002, after having severe menstrual and gynecological problems and finding cysts on my ovaries, I came to learn that a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) had "severe acne" and/or "boils" as one of its symptoms. Imagine my shock! So, another illness has been found to be associated with these terrible things! I continue the search for the "cure", but in the meantime, I'm hoping to provide a sound information resource to people who are afflicted with boils. Good luck to you all, and please keep me updated on your progress.

Site first published: February 10, 1999 Site last updated: July 26, 2006

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