A Boil(klou), a Cyst, or Something More? Your Questions Answered.
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If you’ve ever dealt with painful, recurring boil-like lumps under your skin, you know how confusing and honestly, how scary they can be. Are they boils (klous)? Cysts? Something more serious?
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent hours researching your symptoms. I went down every rabbit hole, googling every variation of “painful boils in embarrassing parts of the body” one can imagine. I was confused, scared, frustrated, and embarrassed.
I lived like this for the first fifteen years I had Hidradenitis Suppurativa aka HS. At first, I called them klous (boils). But they kept coming back, and I knew something was wrong. I was even accused by my family of having an STD.
What you’re experiencing is real. It has a name. And it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
At Soulajman.life, we believe knowledge is healing. We meet you where you’re at — with empathy, clarity, and actionable guidance rooted in both ancestral wisdom and modern understanding. HS can feel isolating, confusing, and overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating, chronic inflammatory illness that shows up as extremely painful, boil-like abscesses. It is an inflammatory disease, not an infection. It’s not contagious, and it’s not a result of poor hygiene.
Is it a boil, cyst, or skin infection?
If you’re getting painful boil-like bumps, you might wonder what they are, especially when they show up in places you’d rather not talk about. While they can look and feel a lot like boils or cysts, HS is something different.
A boil is a swollen, pus-filled skin infection that usually heals on its own or with simple treatment.
A cyst is a closed sac under the skin filled with fluid or semi-solid material. It’s not usually infected but can become irritated.
A skin infection can start as either, but may spread deeper, causing redness, swelling, and warmth.
HS is an inflammatory condition. Hair follicles become blocked, inflammation sets in, and abscesses form that mimic boils but unlike boils, they’re chronic. If your lumps keep returning in the same spots (armpits, groin, under breasts, or the back of the neck for men), it could be HS.
What causes painful lumps under the skin?
Painful skin lumps may be triggered by:
Blocked hair follicles (boils or ingrown hairs)
Hormonal imbalances
Auto Inflammatory overactivity (like HS)
Bacterial or fungal infections
Unlike acne, where a pore ruptures and releases its contents, HS lumps remain trapped deep under the skin. This sets off a cycle of inflammation, creating those painful, swollen lumps you’ve been experiencing.
Why do my boils leak pus and blood?
Boils burst because your body is in defense mode, working overtime to flush out bacteria, dead skin, and inflammatory gunk. With HS, this drainage doesn’t just happen once; it can be persistent. When inflamed lumps swell past a certain point, they rupture, draining pus and sometimes blood. Over time, interconnected tunnels (called sinus tracts) can form beneath the skin, which explains why HS can leak fluid even after one lump has “healed.”
What causes recurring, smelly boils that never fully heal?
If your boils keep showing up in the same spots and leave behind scars, there’s a good chance it’s chronic Hidradenitis Suppurativa and not random infections. In HS, inflammation is chronic. New lumps form in the same or nearby areas. The smell comes from trapped bacteria and fluid. Because the inflammation runs so deep, healing often leaves rope-like scars and tunnels. That’s why it can feel like the condition never truly goes away.
What are some safe home remedies for boils and abscesses?
For much of my HS journey, I didn’t have health insurance. Doctors and pharmacies weren’t always an option. If you can, see a dermatologist, organizations like HS Connect can connect you with specialists. Groups like AHSID and Hope for HS also provide resources that simply weren’t available back when I had my first flare in 2005.
That said, many of us turn to home remedies for relief. Depending on your HS stage, holistic and nutritional approaches will help you manage flares and even find remission. For more severe HS, these won’t cure the disease, but they will bring comfort.
Here are some gentle home-based remedies:
Warm compresses – promote natural drainage and reduce pressure
Gentle cleansing – antiseptic washes with chlorhexidine or benzoyl peroxide (non-irritating formulas)
Turmeric, black pepper & ginger teas – soothe inflammation from within
Epsom salt baths – ease pain, cleanse, and dry out lesions
Loose, breathable clothing – minimize friction and sweat
Herbal poultices – think turmeric, neem, or castor oil for drawing out infection
Self-compassion and emotional care, HS is physically and emotionally taxing, gentle routines and support matter
⚠️ Important: Never squeeze or pop HS lumps. It can worsen scarring and infection. (Take it from me, I’ve lanced my fair share at home with scissors, needles, even paring knives. It only made things worse.)
The Bottom Line: You Need a Diagnosis
Whether it’s a single boil or ongoing HS, you deserve answers and relief. Knowing the difference between boils, cysts, and a chronic condition like HS is the first step.
The most important takeaway is this: what you're dealing with has a name, and you deserve a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. The condition is called Hidradenitis Suppurativa.
Living with HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) whether you’re navigating its early signs or years of healing, can be mentally, emotionally, and physically demanding. But with the right blend of understanding, compassion, care strategies, and community, you can empower your path to relief.
At Soulajman.life, we’re here to journey with you through herbal remedies, self-care guides, and the reminder that you are not alone. Healing is possible.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.