Anyone else have Hidradenitis suppurativa?

[jasmine987]

Just curious if I was the only person on here that has this skin problem?

I have it mainly on my upper inner thighs, but occasionally on my underarm or breast.

Has anyone noticed any improvements with weight loss?
I think having this issue makes it harder to get a good workout in I am so sick of putting in two or three really good workouts then getting slidelined because I have a new lesion develop, I try to shower ASAP after working out too!

I would love any tips on managing this problem. Thank you

[settie]

I have it under my breasts. I'm not sure what mine is called but my doctor told me it is very common where skin meets skin and it is NOT because of not washing. He gave me an antifunal cream and it was gone in a week.

I hope you find something.

[Bette k]

I have it, mainly in my underarms, but occasionally in my groin area. It's not fun, but I've learned to live with it. Triple antibiotic cream helps with the pain and pressure, they have some which has a numbing agent in it, and that helps. If a cyst gets too painful I steralize a needle and lance it. I've never had it so bad I was unable to exercise. You can walk, or other simple types of activity. Just don't wear reveiling clothes and put a bandaid or larger pad on it and keep going. Yes losing weight does help, but even thin people can get it.

[mikex1337]

Originally Posted by Bette k

I have it, mainly in my underarms, but occasionally in my groin area. It's not fun, but I've learned to live with it. Triple antibiotic cream helps with the pain and pressure, they have some which has a numbing agent in it, and that helps. If a cyst gets too painful I steralize a needle and lance it. I've never had it so bad I was unable to exercise. You can walk, or other simple types of activity. Just don't wear reveiling clothes and put a bandaid or larger pad on it and keep going. Yes losing weight does help, but even thin people can get it.

You're absolutely right, hidradenitis suppurativa has nothing to do with being overweight. I know a lot of skinny people with HS.

[saphron]

Originally Posted by Bette k

I have it, mainly in my underarms, but occasionally in my groin area. It's not fun, but I've learned to live with it. Triple antibiotic cream helps with the pain and pressure, they have some which has a numbing agent in it, and that helps. If a cyst gets too painful I steralize a needle and lance it.

Thank you! I had not thought of using triple antibiotic cream, but it makes sense! I have just recently discovered that what I have is Hidradenitis suppurativa and I don't want to go to the doctor, so I am trying all the home care methods and to lose weight to see if that helps!

[mandalinn82]

Losing weight did definitely help me. I do still have some scarring and the tracts still exist, but as I got smaller, they became less frequent, and now it has to be at least 3 years since I've had a single flare up.

It doesn't help everyone with HS, but it definitely can for some.

[SeattleSouthBeach]

I have had this for years. I also have PCOS. Apparently there are many women with both problems and I believe there is a hormonal connection. Do you get a flare up around your lady time? I do. When you're stressed? I do.

Losing weight helped me because I changed my diet which ultimately changed my chemistry. See below.

The problem is that there's no real cure and therefore no one way to solve this infuriating problem.

My bumps have calmed down almost into remission with a few changes:
1. Cut out dairy and sugar: My dermatologist recommended this to me because of the extra hormones and insulin they put into your body which can cause inflammation.
2. Got hormones in check: take birth control and another hormone blocker
3. IF I get a bump, I immediately book an appointment with my derm to give me a shot of cortisone right into the bump. Cortisone usually immediately calms them down.
4. I pay attention to the bumps to make sure they don't get a secondary infection (open sores can do that) which can be dangerous.
5. I also did laser hair removal...and I'm not saying it was the reason I rarely get bumps anymore but I saw a benefit to it.
6. Weight loss is good for your body, gets you more balanced and when there's less skin friction, you're less likely to end up with irritation or secondary infections.

It's a painful (physically and emotionally) disease but it's good to know that you're not alone and there's hope to find something that works for you!

[luvinit]

Originally Posted by SeattleSouthBeach

I have had this for years. I also have PCOS. Apparently there are many women with both problems and I believe there is a hormonal connection. Do you get a flare up around your lady time? I do. When you're stressed? I do.

Losing weight helped me because I changed my diet which ultimately changed my chemistry. See below.

The problem is that there's no real cure and therefore no one way to solve this infuriating problem.

My bumps have calmed down almost into remission with a few changes:
1. Cut out dairy and sugar: My dermatologist recommended this to me because of the extra hormones and insulin they put into your body which can cause inflammation.
2. Got hormones in check: take birth control and another hormone blocker
3. IF I get a bump, I immediately book an appointment with my derm to give me a shot of cortisone right into the bump. Cortisone usually immediately calms them down.
4. I pay attention to the bumps to make sure they don't get a secondary infection (open sores can do that) which can be dangerous.
5. I also did laser hair removal...and I'm not saying it was the reason I rarely get bumps anymore but I saw a benefit to it.
6. Weight loss is good for your body, gets you more balanced and when there's less skin friction, you're less likely to end up with irritation or secondary infections.

It's a painful (physically and emotionally) disease but it's good to know that you're not alone and there's hope to find something that works for you!

I recently self diagnosed myself after I thought these had to be more than really bad ingrown hairs, I get them on the insides of my thighs. I'm not sure if I'm ready to go to the doctor as I haven't had any flare ups lately. Thank you for your tips. I've had a tubal ligation but have seriously considered going back on the pill b/c my body feels kind of out of whack for the last 2 years since last pregnancy. I'm only 32 but already feel my hormones turning on me.