The query I have relates to a distressing, dreadful condition that my 22 year sister has had for 18 months.

This condition is characterised by huge abscess type lumps in her armpits and groin. The only treatment she has received is massive doses of antibiotics the first 12 months, which as the months have gone on have become less effective.

3 weeks ago surgeon removed 7 lumps (golf ball pussey sized) in her armpit leaving huge ugly scars which are still healing and surprisingly the lumps have just returned another two.

The situation now is that as each area of skin in her groin becomes infected the infection moves further back to a fresh part of skin resulting in massive scarring and bruising.

she was digonised with diabetes 5 months ago and was told that these lumps were a cause from having diabetes, but she had these 18 months ago without diabetes.

My questions are what causes these massive infections? Can it be attributed to lifestyle? Is there any hope for the future for her or will her body continue to be disfigured by these abscesses and marks? I do not know anyone else who suffers from this condition.

Also she was told that she should of had the very first lump removed 18 months ago as this could have caused her to get diabetes as the infection was not taken out her body.

can anyone help as were all (family) very confused as noone can give us an answer.

The key point here is that she was "diagnosed" with diabetes 5 months ago. She could have had undiagnosed diabetes much longer than even 18 months.

she gave blood last november and everything was ok

When a person gives blood, they are not tested for diabetes. This is a totally different test conducted in a different way.