Saltwater Cure for Folliculitis

[relieved]

Hello, I've suffered from folliculitis on the butt (I'm embarrassed to even type these words, but what the heck) for probably twenty years, since I was a preteen. (Folliculitis--recurrent boils and pimples that never clears up). I tried to treat it like it was acne and used different benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid-based OTC remedies, plus a few odd online deallios of cream or liquid. Also, antibacterial washes and soaps and lotions. I was pretty frustrated to find nothing really working.

So, in December, call it a lark, but I decided to take some salt--a teaspoon? didn't measure--and make up a little saltwater solution. I remember my dental hygienist recommending saltwater for a little gingivitis (she said it would kill the bacteria), so I figured to try it on my other bacterial problem (that being my butt--again, I feel a little silly for bringing it up, but if helps anyone else, then good).

I have used saltwater on a cotton ball for over a month now, morning and night and sometimes more when I feel motivated, and the bumps and boils are healing and fading purple marks. I had one small pimple last week but it's not a big deal, really. Also, I'm still using an antibacterial soap once a day (hibiclens) from one of my previous attempts. I think using an antibacterial on the region is a good idea, too, as I've seen recommended.

I wanted to put my story out there because my cure (and I hope it's a lasting one) is darn-near FREE, and I thought I should put forth my info. to help possibly. I certainly do not know if saltwater is good for all skin types; I don't want anyone to be harmed from using it so be careful.  I just know it is working for me--hallelujah, praise God.

[Celery Peach]

Hi relieved ! Welcome to the forum ! I'm really pleased that you have found something that is working for you. 

I am a little confused about your diagnosis tho. My understanding of folliculitis is that is a skin infection that is easily cured with a course of antibiotics and not a chronic long term skin problem.

http://www.dermnetnz.org/acne/folliculitis.html

I have a disease called Hidradenitis Suppurativa which causes spots and boils like you speak of and particularly on the butt amongst other inverse skin areas ie armpits, under breasts, groin, genitals etc. Its a chronic condition altho it can come and go at anytime and has greater and lesser degrees of symptoms. It typically leaves behind these purple scars which you also mention.....

I'm not an expert of course, and I arnt saying that you have it, but you may want to google it or find out some info here at skincell, just for your information 

Sea salt is great stuff, I use it myself in the bath when I am poorly with the HS 

[Bamawing]

Welcome, Relieved!

Don't feel silly. Over here we talk about butts, breasts, armpits and all sorts of things that would be pretty embarrising in public. Skin is skin, no matter where it is, and if it's somewhere... unmentionable... then it's usually even worse.

Love the salt idea. I don't get boils often, and I've never had them diagnosed. But next time one's driving me crazy, I'll give that a try!

[relieved]

Celery Peach quote:

I am a little confused about your diagnosis tho. My understanding of folliculitis is that is a skin infection that is easily cured with a course of antibiotics and not a chronic long term skin problem.
---

I had told my doctors through the years about my condition, and each one told me it was folliculitis. They could describe the diagnosis in detail (staph bacteria irritating the hair follicle, blah blah blah, etc.). I remember a doctor recommending alpha-hydroxy acid products and another prescribing a tetracycline oral antibiotic along with phisohex soap (I think that was its name--when I told another doctor about that they laughed and said that was baby soap or something).  Some simply looked at the area, launched into their diagnosis speech and did nothing except say stuff like--"Just make sure you clean there real good."/"Do you sit for long periods of time?"

Maybe it was partly because of the embarrassment/being sad about it, but I got fed up with the doctors' treatment/attitude. I decided that they didn't know how to cure it. I know, I know, I'm not adopting a positive attitude here myself, but I gave up on them. It led me to trying to do it myself--washing with all kinds of soaps and using facial acne products, Proactiv (both the facial and the body products), Retin-A, neosporin, hydroperoxide, rubbing alcohol, campho-phenique, and ordering weird products off the internet like Tend Skin, Herpanacine, Acne-Getaway and Biolanyn.  (All of that is not in sequential order.)

Maybe some folliculitis, like the kind one gets from a particular situation like a spa or shaving, is easily cured. I couldn't say about that. All I can say right now is that I don't think my staph bacteria like saltwater. 

[Celery Peach]

  I really think you could do with seeing a dermatologist relieved. regular doctors really dont have much of a clue about skin, and really, the most I ever got from them was endless courses of useless antibiotics, and advise on my weight problem and told to shower twice a day with antibacterial. The thing is with folliculitis, is that it is usually caused by staph. No one should have to live with staph, it can do real damage, and as I said, can be cured with the right antibiotics for the strain, determined by bloodwork or a swab taken. Its not normal to be prone to staph all your life anymore than its normal to be prone to boils.

Sorry if I seem to be nagging here, I just hate to see anyone suffering because of doctors ignorance.

Tell me about trying all those different products out there ! I have tried so many ! I settled on a few that help me, Vicks vapour rub for drawing and Manuka honey for healing. I also use an antimicrobial (like an antibacterial but stronger) called hibiscrub for washing, its the stuff surgeons use to scrub up with. And as you say, I find Sea salt good also.

[Daisey]

    welcome to skincell Relieved 

     Daisey

[relieved]

Thank you for the warm welcome, and I appreciate celery peach's comments. I will definitely consider seeing a dermatologist.  I agree that normal doctors are kind of clueless on the skin front. I think I got leery of them after telling about my problem and getting useless recommendations for treatment. I've noticed on forums that my experience with doctors is not unique.

From all the stuff I tried, I couldn't say any of them worked, except the saltwater. The dental hygienist had said that nothing can live in a saltwater solution in reference to treating the gingivitis (which was really just an irritation from a popcorn kernel). I also remember my mom recommending to gargle with warm saltwater to kill germs when you're sick. So, it eventually occurred to me to try killing the bacteria on my butt using saltwater. I use an old campho-phenique bottle that I keep refilling with a mixture of salt and water. I don't know what the %age would be, maybe a half teaspoon to the bottle. I keep refilling it every few days between uses, so it's hard to say the exact measure. Everyday, and definitely week to week, I'm seeing the old boils heal and the marks fade; I hope that in say, 6 to 8 weeks, the appearance will be totally clear or very close to. I can live with very close to.

Also, celery peach, I agree with you about doing some bloodwork and seeing if there's any underlying systemic condition going on. I realize I'm after the cosmetic and the folliculitis may be an indicator of something else. Thank you for your responses earlier!

[Celery Peach]

  Well relieved, you have found something that works for you and I aint knocking that ! I hope it continues to see off those spots ! 

...and yes, i do hope you do see a derm at some point, just for your own peace of mind, to have a firm diagnosis from an expert 

[username]

I too was diagnosed with folliculitis (I've had it for about 6 years but was diagnosed about 4 years ago).  The doctor told me that it wasn't something you could cure so I just learned to ignore it.

It's at the back of my head at the base of the neck.

I did see one doctor about 3 years ago who told me it could be cured but was very diffcult to do so.  He prescribed me some sort of ointment that I had to rub over the area for a month or two.  The "pimples" went down in size but they never went away.

[janeyb]

Very interesting! definitely will try! anyone else had luck with saltwater as a cure?

TY

jb

[itchychick]

Hello, all, I'm sorry to be a late-comer to this post, so welcome to all!

CP has given some excellent advice about aggressively seeking out answers from a GOOD dermatologist...  I definately agree there.

I also wanted to add that saltwater has been amazing for my eczema.  The only time in the last 8 years that I have been completely free and clear have been the occasions that I was on holidays at the beach, swimming in the sea.  I could feel and see the eczema healing with the combination of saltwater and sun.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to replicate this at home... (just need more holidays, I guess )   Salt is a known antibacterial agent, so your observations are not random, relieved.   Glad it's helping you, but again, if you have recurrence, you should really seek out another opinion.

[relieved]

Hi, everyone,

I wanted to put an update on my results... I wish I could post that my results have continued to be good, but I seem to be going through a cycle of small bumps and a boil or two...it's frustrating, isn't it? Saltwater is good for the skin, though, I know that much. (Thanks itchychick, for your comments--I found that helpful.)

So I'm still on a mission to solve this folliculitis. I came across a website you may find useful---acne.org. On the site, I found someone who posted who has either folliculitis or something that sure sounds like it, on the same place--butt. She said she used Aqua-Glycolic which "worked like a charm." I seem to remember a doctor saying I should use something that has alpha hydroxy--so I am game to try this stuff--it has a high (?) alpha-hydroxy acid level (14%).

I ordered the cleanser, but I'm still waiting on the toner and lotion. (I ordered from Amazon, but there are plenty of places to order if you google). I have only used the cleanser for about 3 or 4 days. I'm not seeing a lot of clearing up, but maybe there's a purging going on....I'm going to remain hopeful while I wait on the other products to arrive. (Does anyone know if AHA purges before it clears???)

Thanks,
Relieved

[Aquababe241]

Hi itchychick,

Just been reading your post about saltwater....It's not quite the same and you get it in packets - Dead Sea Salts from your local health shop...

Very good for toning your skin and drying up infected skin...I normally use it when my skin's quite bad...

Skin's alright now, so haven't been using it...been using honey in a oatmeal/French clay and massaging all over my body... leaving skin soft and silky.

My E's cleared up in just 2 weeks although I did take a lot of EPO and get as much sleep as possible.

Been using shea/cocoa butter as well and my skin loves that in the sauna...


Not as good as the ocean - but these potions are like heaven on the skin!!
Aquababe

[Urrasa]

When i get a huge one i will put epsom salt on a hot wash cloth and use it as a compress.....It relieves the soreness speeds in softening the tissue so it will break and drain faster...and after the break it aids in drying it up...

[assman]

Hi relieved.  Please tell me if this new product you are going to try works for your folliculitis of the butt.  I have the exact same condition and it's SO annoying.  It's uncomfortable, embarassing, and it's leaving me with scars.  I've used hibiclens (surgeon soap) and antibacterial soap.  Both help but neither are a cure.  I'm considering getting laser hair removal on my butt because I read somewhere that that was an option, but I don't know if destroying the hair follicles (who knows how destroyed they get) would actually be enough to stop the infections.  I think it's just another doctor's shot in the dark.  It seems like there is NO cure for this.  It's  awful.  Please post again if you find anything that works.

[relieved]

I might be responding prematurely but here's an in-progress update.

I've been using Aqua Glycolic body cleanser/shampoo for about two weeks now--I ordered the toner and lotion also, but it must have been back-ordered from Amazon or something; I just got a notice that it shipped finally. So, as far as just the soap goes, I haven't seen my skin clear up from it, but I have seen it produce more whiteheads (blecch! sorry, kind of grossed out to share that part of myself, but anyhow). SO, I kind of wondered if AHA causes some kind of purging phase first....hmmm....don't know...

But, wait, there's more--not contented to wait for the other Aqua Glycolic products I started following some threads on acne.org in the body acne message board. Two posts in particular I found of interest--one is on sea salt and the other is on apple cider vinegar. I think they were referring to acne on the back, but still--I decided to mix up a little solution of apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil (whew--that is some scent!), and water. I started using it three days ago, twice a day, and I have to say I do see some clearing--but it's way too early to say it with conviction. I haven't tried the sea salt stuff, but I do think there is something to it, for sure, I just haven't been to the store yet...I wonder if it would be bad for the pipes, too. What the heck, I'm a renter.

Welcome, Assman, btw--we're in the same boat--I'm convinced there is a cure out there, durn it. I know about hibiclens, too--didn't work for me....I wish we could just use antibacterial soap like it and be done with it--but I guess this bacteria is pretty hearty. A doctor also prescribed something like phisohex in a green bottle for me--didn't work either.

[trueskin]

I have to chime in w/ aquababe on the dead sea salts.  I am a beach girl and my skin is always great after a weekend of surfing!!!  So when i cant be at the beach a nice soak in a bath w/ the dead sea salts clears my skin so nicely and actually leaves it feeling so soft.  I also make up a solution in the sink and wash my face w/ it and will soak a slightly more than damp wash cloth on it for about 10 min to help w/ acne flare ups!!!  I hope you find your cure!!!   When i run out of the dead sea salts and am really desparate I do soak in some epsom salt.  good luck!!

[trueskin]

sorry to post again relieved but i just read your post!!  I had heard that ingesting apple cider vinegar (1Tbsp 2x daily) can help w/ skin problems.  this is said to help regulate your ph levels!!!  I do it when i remember!!  Just a thought.  Green apples are said to have the same effect as well. 

[relieved]

Hi, trueskin,
Thank you so much for mentioning that tidbit about ingesting ACV. I did a little google search and found a lot of material touting its effects. I'm going to start trying it.
---

So far I've been using ACV mixed with a little teatree oil and some water twice daily, morning and night. I was going to be using the Aqua Glycolic toner and lotion, as mentioned earlier in this thread, but I decided to stick with ACV for now, just in case it's the cure. I would say that in the week or so now that I've been using it, my skin has calmed down a lot and I don't have any new boils, just some little red ones, but those are going away too--they're not turning into any big deal.

But--it may be too soon to tell--I keep thinking, maybe my skin is going through a cycle, and right now it's mellow, and next week it'll break out...I think that might have been what happened in my first exuberant posting for this thread.

What I have been doing, in addition to the ACV, is using the Aqua Glycolic cleanser at night before I shower. I leave it on for a couple of minutes and then wash off (it has a AHA 14%). Also--I have been exfoliating with the sea salt nightly...I pour some crystals onto a damp washcloth and rub it into the skin. I might be in the "more is better" camp on this one--I read threads about soaking with sea salt at www.acne.org. and since I only have one bottle at the moment, I'm trying to make the most of it.

Well--that's my update! I will post again in a week or two with a progress report.

[trueskin]

I sure hope this is your cure!!!  I get my dead sea salts from cranberry lane.  i buy a huge bag and store in plastic containers.  Worth checking out and they have a cool site too!!  Best of Luck!!