I’m a 29-year-old who is normally active with a healthy lifestyle and employed at a reputable IT firm.
Here’s what I want you to know from someone who had HS for 5 Years
I started seeing uncomfortable lumps on my thighs. I stopped wearing short shorts for the rest of the summer after assuming it was caused by chafing.
But the lumps persisted. As the seasons changed, they grew bigger and more agonizing. I spent hours looking for an answer online before discovering hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
HS is a persistent skin disorder that can manifest as small bumps that resemble pimples, larger nodules that resemble acne, or even boils. The lesions typically hurt and develop in the armpits or groin, or other regions where skin scrapes against the skin. It might have an impact on different things for different people.
I’ve had HS for about five years, and I’ve had it entirely treated at a facility called EliteAyurveda. But I’ll talk more about it in another post). Many people don’t know what HS is or that it’s a serious illness. In an effort to reduce the stigma associated with the ailment, I have continued to educate my friends, family, and followers.
I want you to be aware of the following nine facts concerning HS.
It is not an STD.
On your inner thighs, close to your genitalia, hidradenitis suppurativa outbreaks might happen. Because of this, some individuals may believe that HS is an STD or another infectious disease, however, this is untrue.
It is typically misdiagnosed
Since HS research is still in its infancy, the disease is frequently misdiagnosed. Finding a dermatologist or rheumatologist who is knowledgeable in HS is crucial. According to what I’ve heard, hidradenitis suppurativa has sometimes been misdiagnosed as acne, ingrown hairs, recurrent boils, or even just poor hygiene.
Blackheads that develop into uncomfortable nodules are a common early symptom of HS for many people, including myself. I had no notion that having blackheads between my thighs was abnormal.
A comparison between hidradenitis suppurativa and acne boils, and folliculitis The HS bumps are sometimes mistaken for boils, folliculitis, or pimples.
An HS breakout is identifiable because it frequently results in bumps on both sides of your body that recur in particular areas, such as your armpits and groin.
3. You’re not to blame
Neither your weight nor inadequate hygiene is to blame for your hidradenitis suppurativa. Even if you have impeccable cleanliness, you can still acquire HS, and some studies even think there may be a hereditary component. Any weight person can develop HS. Being heavier, however, may make HS more uncomfortable since numerous areas of our bodies—including the thighs, buttocks, and underarms—are always in contact.
4. The suffering is intolerable
HS’s agony is piercing and cutting, like being impaled from the inside by a hot poker. It’s the kind of pain that shocks you and causes you to yell. It can be tough to sit, walk, or even reach. Naturally, this makes it difficult to accomplish daily duties or even leave the house.
5. A treatment exists.
When you have HS, it might be a lifetime illness, which is one of the hardest things to swallow. To satisfy our demands and assist us in managing the distressing symptoms of the condition, HS treatment is nevertheless constantly developing.
I used several Allopathic treatments and medications to fight the disease for approximately 5 years. But the Ayurvedic medical approach is what ultimately helped me. HS’s metabolic and underlying fundamental causes are the focus of effective herbal formulations and therapy.
6. Its psychological impacts are just as detrimental
HS has an impact on your mental health. Many persons with HS struggle with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. People may feel ashamed of their bodies as a result of the stigma attached to HS. They could decide to isolate themselves rather than deal with outside attention.
7. Love can be found even in HS
How to notify a potential partner about HS is the question I get asked most frequently. Because you don’t know how your spouse will respond, discussing HS with them can be frightening. However, the majority of people are receptive to learning. If your companion reacts poorly, they might not be the one for you. During your interaction with them, you might also mention this article to them.
8. It’s not as uncommon as you might imagine.
Two others from my little college messaged me to express they shared my HS when I started talking openly about it. Though I was by myself in high school, these folks were around me every day! Up to 2% of people on the planet may have HS. That’s around the same proportion of people who have naturally red hair, for comparison.
9. The HS community is big and friendly.
The first HS community I came across was on Tumblr, but Facebook is also awash in HS groups! When you’re going through a difficult period, these internet groups are incredibly reassuring. You have the option of posting about yourself or reading posts from other users. Sometimes, it’s enough to simply know that you’re not alone.
Consult the medical professionals that treated my problem to discover more about where to receive support. Go to www.eliteayurveda.com to see their methodologies.
Takeaway
At first, living with HS might be frightening. However, you can lead a full and happy life if you receive the right care and have a solid support network. It’s not just you. And if we keep educating people and increasing knowledge of the condition, the stigma associated with HS will diminish. In Ayurveda, it is seen as a treatable condition. You can overcome the problem and lead a healthy life with the assistance of a competent doctor.
