9 Tips for Managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Doctor William C Lloyd Healthgrades Medical Reviewer
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Jennifer Larson on September 12, 2021
  • doctor-examining-patients
    Don’t let HS manage you.
    It can be very discouraging to have hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Also known as acne inversa, HS is a chronic skin condition characterized by painful boils and lumps that sometimes drain and stain your clothing. But you don’t have to let it run your life. You can take steps to make your situation easier to bear.
  • Female doctor with female patient
    1. Seek treatment as soon as you notice symptoms.
    You may be embarrassed by the odor from the discharge that often seeps from HS lesions, but doctors understand it’s just a symptom of your medical condition. Don’t let your embarrassment keep you from seeing a doctor. According to the Mayo Clinic, early diagnosis and treatment of acne inversa may actually help reduce the chances that new lesions will form. And without treatment, it’s likely to get worse.
  • woman-adjusting-scale
    2. Shed a few pounds.
    If you’re overweight, it may be helpful to lose a few pounds. Experts note that losing weight can often help people with a relatively mild case of HS because it reduces the areas where skin rubs together.
  • warm-compress
    3. Develop strategies to relieve pain and discomfort.
    Those cysts and lumps can be painful, but applying a warm compress can relieve some of the pain. On a similar note, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests steeping a tea bag in hot water for a few minutes, then applying the tea bag to the painful lump for about ten minutes. Although it won’t cure or reduce the problem, it can at least bring you some temporary relief.
  • Clothing Choices Matter
    4. Love the loose fit.
    If you’re not already a fan of loose-fitting clothing, it’s time to become one. A looser fit is less likely to rub up against your skin, causing painful friction and flare-ups. Plus, a loose-fitting outfit may be more likely to disguise any areas that you may be sensitive about highlighting.
  • woman smoking
    5. Quit smoking.
    If it seems like this advice always seems to pop up on lists of positive health habits, it’s for good reason. If you quit smoking, you boost your chances for living a longer, healthier life. And it can reduce the likelihood that you’ll experience acne inversa flare-ups, too.
  • Pills
    6. Try medication.
    There are both traditional and innovative medications that doctors can prescribe for people with hidradenitis suppurativa, notably antibiotics, corticosteroids, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors – a biologic agent. TNF blockers help prevent flare-ups by reducing inflammation.
  • Zinc tablets
    7. Supplement with zinc.
    Because zinc has anti-inflammatory properties, some experts suggest that taking zinc supplements may help. As with any dietary supplement, be sure to notify your doctor that you’re taking it, especially if you’re already taking other medications.
  • Varicose Laser Treatment
    8. Consider laser treatment.
    This might not be for everyone, but research shows some benefit from undergoing laser treatment. A study published in 2011 in the Archives of Dermatology found some success in treating moderately severe hidradenitis suppurativa with a laser known as the Nd: YAG laser.
  • Surgeon Performing Surgery
    9. Consult your doctor about surgery.
    While many people with mild cases of HS can manage their symptoms with many of the steps outlined here, people with more persistent or severe cases may want to consider surgical options. A doctor may excise and drain a lump during a relatively simple procedure. As mentioned, laser surgery is also beginning to gain in popularity.
Managing Hidradentitis Suppurativa | 9 Tips for Managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa
  1. Xu LY, et al. Histopathologic Study of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Following Long-Pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG Laser Treatment. Archives of Dermatology. 2011;147(1):21-28. http://archderm.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=426521
  2. Jovanovic M. Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatment & Management. Medscape. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1073117-treatment
  3. Sabat R, et al. Increased Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Acne Inversa. Plos One. Published: February 16, 2012DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031810. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0031810
  4. Hidradenitis suppurativa. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/basics/definition/con-2002733...
  5. Kurek A, et al. Profound disturbances of sexual health in patients with acne inversa. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2012 Sep;67(3):422-8, 428. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22182915
  6. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/e---h/hidradenitis-suppurativa/diagno...
  7. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Tips for managing. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/e---h/hidradenitis-suppurativa/tips-f...
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Last Review Date: 2021 Sep 12
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