Dear Dr. SerVaas: I have been plagued with boils since 1994 and have no hopes of ever being free of them. Is it possible to be reinfested by bacteria in bedding, clothing, and other things in my living quarters?

A.L.
Sacramento, California

Dear Reader: We forwarded your letter to C. William Hanke, M.D., clinical professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine and director of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Indiana. His answer follows:

"Many individuals are afflicted with recurrent boils or skin abscesses. These individuals are often chronically infected with Staphylococcus bacteria. Sometimes the condition is called "staph folliculitis" because the hair follicles can serve as a point of entry for infection. It is more likely a patient will be reinfected from their own skin rather than from bedding or clothing.

"Some patients are required to remain on oral antiboitics for many months or years in order to suppress the bacteria. Antibacterial soaps such as Phisohex or Hibiclens are helpful if used on a daily basis. If the boils continue to be a problem, the dermatologist should be consulted again."