Does anyone else have skin issues like me. I feel really alone sometimes I am the only one in my family that I know of that has this

The "HS" is acne like areas on the inner thighs, buttocks, under breasts, armpits, and sometimes in my stomach area. I have had this for about 10 years now and I am just so sick of it. I have seen a few Doctors about it and they say there is no cure etc etc.... I look on the internet nothing really on it either as far a cure.

Has anyone had any luck treating it on their own, any ideas on what causes it?

I also have a skin de-pigmentation issues where I have white patches scattered on my body where there is no pigment in the skin...

I wonder is this related are they both auto-immune diseases....could it be a reaction to a food allergy... my mind often searches for these answers then other times I just give up an accept I might just have this forever.

Any insight or personal situations would be very appreciated.

Thank you

Well I don't think it's any sort of disorder or anything, but I'm no stranger to body acne! Sometimes on my back, butt & inner thighs. I don't really do anything about it, though, so that's not really much help. But, I wanted to let you know that you're not alone in that area!

I had HS...emphasis on HAD. Mine went away completely with weight loss...I haven't had any cysts on my inner thighs or underarms since about the 200 lb mark.

I think, personally, the hair follicles got irritated,by my skin rubbing on itself.

Jasmine - I have similar issues and I do notice that they have gotten better as I have lost but have still not gone away completely.

Mandalinn - That is really good to know that it went away for you.

I have had facial acne since I was 8, and I have tried everything! I finally found something that helps! It's called "Grandma's Lye soap". I got it at the hardware store when someone told me about it. Now me, and several people I have told, use it once a day. IN two weeks, My skin was clear. It doesn't smell bad, and it makes your skin feel very soft and your pores feel tightened the first few weeks you use it. You should try it!

I feel good about my skin for the first time in a long time. it's also much cheaper than the other stuff I've been prescribed, bought and ordered for years and years. I hope, if you try it, it helps clear things up a bit!

Dusty

Jasmine - I have the same problem. I use a sea salt scrub from Trillium Organics - the Cleansing variety - it has euclyptus and cedar essence I believe and though it doesn't all go away, it does help. I've seen the most results on my torso and stomach. My inner thighs are still pretty unhappy though - I really think it's lack of air and rubbing.

Dusty - thanks so much for the lye soap hint - I'm seriously going to try that. My face is pretty happy, but I tend to break out all the time on my chin and jawline and it drives me crazy!

Myrfy

Ugh! I'm soooo glad someone brought this up. I have had these same problems for years. Last year I had cyst come up under my breast that I actually had to go the emergency room with. I got those all the time, but this one was really bad. A while ago I was a bridesmaid and the bride gave us baskets with soaps and stuff in them. One of the soaps was called Pre De Provance. It is a french milled shea butter based soap and I used it all summer and didn't have any problems. I searched for it in the stores and couldn't find it. I did find that there are several places on the internet that sell it, so I ordered a bunch of it. Aside from helping clear up skin problems I have found that my skin has a better overall appearance. There are several scents but I am allergic to most things that have a scent. The milk scent is nice and light though.

I developed HS in college, only under my arms. I my case I just had under-the-skin cyst-like bumps that would develope and feel like bruises. My doctor put me on a series of antibiotics over a couple of years, along with cleaning the area with hibecleans antibacterial soap, and mine eventually went into remission. Switching deoderants also helped. I try to use clear gel or spray deoderants and only use them lightly so they won't clog my pores under my arms. Once in a while I will feel a little bruise-like cyst coming on, but I am careful to clean the area and lighten up on the deoderant and it quickly goes away.

Hi,
I have had HS in my armpits since I first gained weight as a teenager. Right now, I am using tea tree oil natural deodorant. I wash my underarms with an anti-acne body wash/exfoliant and that has helped keep things in check.

In case you are not aware, Yahoo groups has a large group dedicated to HS.

I am like Kmg73 - I usually get flare ups under high stress. I also use tea tree oil on tender spots and it will go away before it "breaks out"!

i have vitiligo..i have had if for about 5 years now..it all started on my right thumb, then progressed to the other fingers, then my right wrist, then the fingers on my left hand..and then on my belly, and finally on my inner thighs..this could be caused by a thyroid problem or an autoimmune disorder or pernicious anemia or a combination of all of the above. i only have the thyroid problem and anemia, which (imo) is not bad. i am grateful that the depigmentation is very minimal..i have seen people and pictures of severe vitiligo, some have had it all their lives. about 3 months ago, i started taking my daily multivitamin, calcium and vit. c supplements. in addition to that, i started taking 800mcg of folic acid 2x/day (which makes my folic acid intake equal 2000 mcg, since my multivitamin has 400mcg), 300mg of st. john's wort 3x/day (this causes photosensitivity), 120mg of ginkgo biloba once a day, and 1000mcg of vit. b12 once a day (b12 is also offered in shots, but i hate needles). i have noticed spots of color on my white spots (i call them cow spots, given their blotchy appearance)..today, i was reading about adding apple cider vinegar to my diet to help my stomach absorb nutrients better, since the lack of nutrients would be a cause for vitiligo. it's one tablespoon of acv to a glass (8oz) of water and it should be taken 20 minutes prior to eating. but you gotta be careful with acv because it will cause erosion of the enamel on your teeth. acv comes in pill form as well, but i am not sure how long before a meal it should be taken. oh, and whenever (as soon as) possible consult with your doc to see if the supplements i am taking will work for you.

HS, quite a few have good luck with hot baths with epsom salts. The magnesium chloride does wonders.

Also with Dial soap, the gold bar NOT the liquid along with tea tree oil.

I worked in a pharmacy for years and my boss had HS. He said no antibiotics would treat it as he believed it was viral. And then he had an herbalist tell him about magnesium chloride (epsom salts) and then he had a friend tell him about the Dial soap. We would recommend these treatments to our customers who would come in with HS or blistery rashes under the breasts and in the groin area or the underarms. Some would come back and thank us.
Also Zinc can be helpful and burdock root.
In a pinch rinse the affected area with water then apply peroxide liberally if you cannot get the other products right away and you are in pain.

Also instead of regular deodorant, if you are experiencing lesions under the arms, use the salt crystal deodorant sold in drug stores. I got mine at Walgreens. I do not have HS but I do suffer from blistery rashes under my breasts and under my arms. Plus I do not like using anything with aluminum chlorhydrate in it. Dampen the crystal or the underarm area prior to use.

it's been a while since i have posted anything here, but i have read somewhere that low stomach acid or a type of bacteria (2 different things, one could be the cause of the other, not sure which one), h. pylori, could be a cause of vitiligo..any input?

Try Hibiclens. In college, I always had acne on my back and butt, sometimes with cysts that required oral antibiotics. My doctor suggested using a pouf and washing with Hibiclens, and I haven't had problems since.