Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Does anyone else out their think that treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa with conventional median just makes it worse? Ive herd such horror story’s about acutaine and surgeries that just take it away for a while and then it comes back worse then ever. In my family it typically goes away by 25 and I am now 21 been suffering since I was 10, Ive never had health insurance to i really was never treated, aside form expensive ER lancing of the huge one Ive had throughout the years. Anyway this had been my best winter yet, not many Ive have to lance at all. What makes it naturally go away?

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory skin condition. It is also known as ‘acne inversa’. It is more commonly found in women and can be present under the breasts. It commonly occurs on apocrine sweat gland-bearing skin such as in the groin. HS usually develops in your armpits, groin and anal area. It causes long-term skin inflammation and can be painful. The symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa vary greatly, it can be as slight as black heads and pimples or as serious as large draining lesions, growing to the size of golf balls. It usually appears after puberty. Hidradenitis suppurativa may run in families. Hidradenitis suppurativa does not present prior to puberty because the apocrine glands are inactive until triggered by a surge in hormones.

The condition may be observed in patients of any age after puberty. Treating hidradenitis suppurativa is difficult. It is best treated in the early stages before extensive scarring develops. Treatments depend on the extent of the affected areas and whether the sores are painful or infected. Mild cases can be treated with self-care measures, including warm compresses and regular washings with antibacterial soap. Surgery is the most effective treatment for recalcitrant hidradenitis. Mild cases of hidradenitis suppurativa can be treated with warm compresses and anti-bacterial soap. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help to manage welling. Aggressive surgery will cure an area of severe, chronic hidradenitis but it has to remove scarred tissue or even large areas of skin.

Radiotherapy has been investigated as a potential treatment option. Skin grafts may be needed. Incision (lancing) and draining will reliably help smaller affected areas. Cutting away skin and flesh that cover any tunnels or tracts can increase healing of the lesions and minimize scarring. Retin-A cream, a prescription, helps some people. Stress management methods may be useful because the disease can be aggravated during times of increased psychosocial stress. Other medical treatment options address the possible hormonal etiology of hidradenitis; these options include oral contraceptive agents that contain a high estrogen-to-progesterone ratio and low androgenicity of progesterone. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are other treatment possibilities.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatment and Prevention Tips

1 Don’t smoke.

2. Wear loose fitting clothing to avoid friction.

3. Topical anti-acne antibiotics such as clindamycin or erythromycin applied to affected areas.

4. Persistent hidradenitis lumps may be excised after several months of conservative treatment.

5. Radical excisional surgery is reserved for very severe cases of hidradenitis suppurativa.

6. Experimentally, laser ablation may be useful in some patients.

7. Systemic corticosteroids or intralesional corticosteroids may reduce severe inflammatory lesions.

8. Wash with antiseptics or acne preparations to reduce skin carriage of commensal bacteria.

I know that I haven’t written in a while, and trust me that is not because I havent had any flair ups, it’s because I found that I get really depressed about the whole situation. I mean I am 34 years old with a condition that no one seems to know anything about.

I am in pain most of the time from these boil-like abcesses, I feel gross and unattractive. I have to be so careful who I let into my world, beacuse you never know who is going to try to understand and who is just going to think the worst of my situtation.

I am one of the lucky ones to have found a life partner that not only tries to understand what I am going through, but takes care of me when it gets to the point that I can’t take care of myself. I am finding that I  am getting more depressed then I ever have before, and it always seemed to be around the time that I have major Hidradenitis Suppurative issues.

I haven’t had to deal with depression a lot so this is pretty new to me. If there is anyone out there that is dealing with depression because of this horrible condition, please comment below, I would like to know that I am not alone out here.

Hello again,

OK so I was sitting around nursing some of my wounds, and I thought it would be a good idea to post some of my tips and remedies on how I live with the daily pain of Hidradenitis Suppurativa. So here it goes:

• Epison salt/Green Alcohol bath- I try to soak in a warm (as hot as you can stand) epison salt and green alcohol bath a couple time a week or when I have a major flare up. It draws out the infection and brings the abscess to a head and relieve some of the pain.

• Warm compresses- If you are unable to take a bath use a warm compress (as hot as you can stand it) to draw the infection out of the Hidradenitis abscess

• Ibuprofen- For the pain. Be careful not to take too much pain reliever.  One reason is because you will become immune to it, the other is because it can really mess up your stomach, and other parts of the body.

• Antibiotic ointment- It helps a little, especially after the abscess has finished draining.

So here are a few tips to save your clothing from the draining caused by Hidradenitis Suppurativa:

• Oxy clean-I swear by this stuff. It lifts stains and odors out of you clothing without harsh chemicals.

• Bandages and tape- I use the Band aid brand NU non stick pads, and I use the cloth tape, it is easier on the skin.

I have found these tips and remedies useful in dealing with some of the issues associated with hidradenitis suppurativa and I hope you find them helpful.  If you have tips not mentioned here that will help others please feel post your comments below.

Educate yourself about hidradenitis suppurativa.  By educating yourself about hidradenitis suppurativa, you are showing your loved one that you take an interest in something that effects their life greatly.  They will appreciate knowing you care about the problem they must deal with.

Let them talk about it.  People living with hidradenitis suppurativa have a lot on their plate.  Not only are they trying to manage the pain inflicted on their body’s, but they are also fighting a psychological battle as a result of how they perceive themselves due to the distortment of their skin.

It is a known statistic, that 80%  of all people diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa suffer from depression.  One way you can help them battle the psychological effect of their unfortunate circumstance is to listen to them when they talk about it.  One thing is for sure, the topic of hidradenitis suppurativa is just as boring to them as it is to you, but they are discussing it for a reason…because they need to vent.  They need to get things off of their chest and talking about it helps; whether it’s done consciously or subconsciously.  Your only job is to listen.

Let your loved one know their symptoms won’t scare you away.  Low self-esteem can emerge when hidradenitis suppurativa symptoms begin to alter the appearance of those with the disease.  To keep their self-esteem high, hidradenitis suppurativa sufferers need to know that the people in their lives will remain no matter what.  As their support system, you can boost their confidence by ensuring them that you will be their no matter how bad things get.

Help them search for medical solutions.  When your loved one is burdened with the painful symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa, they may be motivated to search for possible solutions.  By getting involved with them on their journey, you can show them that you support them, and will go through the fire with them.

Nurse your loved one through flare ups.  When someone you care about has a skin breakout caused by hidradenitis suppurativa, be there to help them through the pain and suffering.  Help them apply the necessary treatments on their skin.  Also, when you see they are suffering, ask them if there is anything you can do for them.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa sufferers go through a tremendous amount of anguish.  Maybe more than you will ever know.  None these tips will make the physical pain go away, that’s not the point of all this.  It’s what these activities will do for them psychologically, and that is boost their confidence and make them feel unconditionally loved.