When people hear the word hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), most don’t know what it means. And honestly, I wish I didn’t either. But for those of us who live with it, HS is more than a medical term—it’s a daily battle, a test of strength, and a journey that reshapes how we see ourselves and our bodies.

Imagine waking up with painful lumps under your skin—tender, swollen, and sometimes leaking fluid. And for most, these lumps leave long-lasting scars. You try creams, antibiotics, lifestyle changes, even surgery, but the flare-ups keep coming. For many people living with *hidradenitis suppurativa* (HS), this isn’t just a bad skin day—it’s a chronic, life-altering condition.

🧬 What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects areas where skin rubs together—like the armpits, groin, buttocks, and under the breasts. It starts with blocked hair follicles and can lead to painful nodules, abscesses, and even tunnels under the skin called sinus tracts. Despite its severity, HS is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed as acne or boils. But it’s not caused by poor hygiene, and it’s definitely not contagious. It’s an autoinflammatory condition, meaning the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own hair follicles.

Photo credit: Everyday Health

⚠️ Symptoms to Watch For

- Painful, pea-sized lumps under the skin
- Blackheads in small, pitted areas
- Abscesses that drain pus and have a strong odor
- Tunnels under the skin that connect lesions
- Scarring and skin changes over time

Symptoms can vary widely. Some people experience mild discomfort, while others face severe pain and mobility issues, which makes it hard to performtask at work and home. Flare-ups may be triggered by hormonal changes, friction, heat, or stress.

👩🏽‍⚕️ Who’s at Risk?

HS tends to appear after puberty and is more common in women than men. Thsi is a list of risk factors they believe may cause it:

- Family history of HS
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Certain autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease or metabolic syndrome, but who knows for sure.
- It disproportionately affects Black individuals, possibly due to genetic factors.

Photo credit: https://thedig.howard.edu

🛠️ Treatment & Management

As for now, there is no cure for HS, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Below are a few Holistic remedies as well as well as Western Medicinal Options:

🌿 Topical Natural Remedies

Aloe Vera Gel – Soothes inflammation and promotes wound healing
Turmeric Paste or Supplements – Contains curcumin, known for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties
Manuka Honey – May help with wound healing and recurrent infections
Tea Tree Oil(diluted) – Offers antiseptic and antimicrobial benefits; test on a small area first
Neem Oil – Used in Ayurvedic medicine for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects
Apple Cider Vinegar (diluted) – May help fight bacteria like staph; mix 1 part ACV with 5 parts water
Witch Hazel – A gentle astringent that may reduce inflammation and protect the skin barrier

💊 Supplements & Dietary Support

Zinc – Often deficient in HS patients; may reduce inflammation and support immune function
CBD Oil – May help reduce pain, itching, and inflammation when applied topically
Dietary Changes – Many report improvement with:
- Eating a Plant-based or Mediterranean diet - Plant-based Cookbook
- Avoiding dairy, gluten, refined sugars, and processed foods

🛁 Soothing Bath Treatments

Warm Compresses – Help drain boils and relieve pain; pat skin dry afterward
Epsom Salt Baths – May reduce inflammation and dry out abscesses
Bleach Baths (highly diluted) – Used cautiously to reduce bacteria; consult a doctor first

👕 Lifestyle Adjustments

- Wear Loose, Breathable Clothing – Reduces friction and moisture buildup
- Maintain Proper Hygiene – Use antimicrobial soaps with benzoyl peroxide or zinc pyrithione
- Laser Hair Removal – May reduce future flare-ups in affected areas
- Weight Management – Losing excess weight may reduce HS severity
- Quit Smoking – Smoking is linked to worsening HS symptoms
- Topical and oral antibiotics to reduce inflammation
- Biologic therapies like adalimumab (Humira) to calm the immune response
- Hormonal treatments for women with flare-ups tied to menstrual cycles
- Surgical procedures like deroofing or laser therapy for advanced cases
- Lifestyle changes such as weight management, smoking cessation, and wearing loose clothing

Pain management and mental health support are also crucial. Living with HS can be isolating, and many patients experience anxiety or depression.
These remedies may help ease discomfort and reduce flare-ups, but they are not cures. HS is a complex condition, and combining holistic care with medical guidance is often the most effective approach.

Photo credit: https://www.dermatologytimes.com/

💡My Personal Journey

I’ve lived with hidradenitis suppurativa since adolescence, and in that time, I’ve endured hundreds of flare-ups—each one a painful reminder of how relentless this condition can be. It’s not just the physical pain, though that alone it takes an emotional toll on you, with it’s unpredictability, and the way it reshapes how you move through the world.

I’ve had two surgeries because of HS—one under my armpit and another to remove a tract in my groin. Both were intense. The procedures themselves were difficult because these cyst are deep and often tracts that tunnel deep beneath the skin, but the recovery was even harder. Four weeks or more of limited movement, constant discomfort, unable to put my arm down or close my legs, not to mention the mental exhaustion of trying to heal while knowing that another flare-up could be just around the corner. I never went back for more surgeries—not because I didn’t need them, but because the flare-ups kept migrating to new areas. It felt like a cruel game of whack-a-mole, and I simply couldn’t afford to keep chasing them with surgery, let alone endure the long recovery each time.

I remember lying in bed, trying to find a position that didn’t make me wince. I remember the sting of tears when I couldn’t lift my arm or walk without pain. I remember the fear—fear of another flare-up, fear of infection, fear of being misunderstood. And I remember the emotional weight of feeling like my body was betraying me, like I was trapped in a cycle I couldn’t escape.

HS has tested me in ways I never imagined, but it’s also taught me how to stand in my truth. To honor my pain without letting it define me. To find community, compassion, and courage in the face of something that often feels invisible.

I’m telling you this because someone out there needs to know they’re not alone. That their pain is real. That healing is possible, even if it’s not linear. That your scars don’t make you less beautiful—they’re proof that you’ve survived.
If you or someone you love is living with HS, I see you. I’ve been there. And I’m walking with you.

💬 Living With HS: A Community of Resilience

If you or someone you love is living with hidradenitis suppurativa, know this: you’re not alone. Advocacy groups, online forums, and dermatology specialists are working to raise awareness and improve care. Early diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan can make a world of difference. HS may be invisible to others, but the strength it takes to live with it is anything but.