DEAR DR. GOTT:
Fifty years ago my sister developed toxemia while pregnant. I almost lost both her and the baby but thankfully they are still with us.
From the poison in her body she develops large boils. They primarily occur under her breasts and armpits but can pop out anywhere. They are incredibly painful and she only experiences relief when the boils come to a head and burst.
Is there anything that will help her?
DEAR READER:
Toxemia during pregnancy is caused by metabolic disturbances in the mother’s body. This results in preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure and fluid retention) and fully developed eclampsia (high BP, edema, seizures, and coma). The only treatment is birth of the child, after which symptoms disappear.
Because of this, I doubt that your sister’s current problem is related to her pregnancy 50 years ago. Boils are usually caused by bacteria, the most common being staphylococcus. Bacteria thrive in dark moist areas such as the underarm and breasts.
Boils generally develop under the skin, eventually forming a “head” which can burst or be punctured to allow the pus to drain. The process can be quite painful primarily due to the size of the boils which are often quarter-sized or larger.
I urge your sister to speak to her physician and request a swab of the boil which can be analyzed to determine the cause. In most cases, a course of antibiotics will solve the problem. It is also important to have good hygiene; bathing with antibacterial soap daily and keeping the skin dry can prevent most outbreaks. Tell your sister to switch to a soap such as Dial and to dry thoroughly after bathing. She can also apply powder to infection-prone areas to ensure they stay clean and dry.
Give my answer to your sister and let me know what happens.
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