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When your existing treatments aren’t working, try these tips to see if they help.
If you have hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes painful boils and abscesses to grow beneath the skin, putting your disease under control can entail a jumbled patchwork of half-effective treatments. “No medication is 100% effective for most patients,” says Dr Adil Moulanchikkal, Lead Ayurveda Specialist at EliteAyurveda. “We may combine one that is 50% effective for some cases with one that is 20% effective for other cases and another that is 15% effective to get as close to 100 as possible.” According to Dr Adil, many people seek treatment through alternative and home remedies. But, do they function, and are they safe? What is the outlook of Ayurveda Medicines for HS treatment? Here’s what you need to know.
Assess Your Zinc Levels
People with HS have a higher rate of zinc insufficiency than people without the condition. “Zinc is an anti-inflammatory nutrient that has been shown to be helpful in reducing HS flares,” he explains, implying that it can lessen the severity of the disease. Zinc can actually boost the immunity of skin cells, assisting in the combat and healing of HS irritation. The RDA for zinc for people aged 14 and up is 11 milligrammes (mg) per day for men and 9 mg per day for women.
Turmeric is an option.
Turmeric is a spice that includes curcumin, an anti-inflammatory ingredient. While it hasn’t been examined formally in HS, it has been found to aid with other inflammatory autoimmune disorders. One meta-study discovered that taking 1,000 mg of curcumin daily for eight to twelve weeks reduced arthritic pain and inflammation just as well as NSAIDs. You can achieve your daily dose of 1,000 mg by taking capsules or adding five teaspoons of ground turmeric to your food. “Turmeric is generally considered safe,” Dr Adil explains, “but it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before beginning any supplement.”
Take a Salt Bath
The second most popular home remedy? Baths using Epsom salts. Sixty percent of people with HS try magnesium sulphate salt soaks, and if you spend any time on HS online support forums, you’ll notice that a lot of them swear by them. There’s no firm evidence that the salts help with HS symptoms or even soothe painful muscles, as they’re generally used for, but Dr. Adil believes they’re worth a shot. At the very least, the bath will relax you and clean your irritated areas. Fill your tub with warm water and add the amount of salts specified on the box.
Take a Bleach Bath.
We’re loving all of these baths! Though soaking in bleach may sound unpleasant, the diluted chemical can actually reduce skin irritation and bacteria, preventing infection and relieving itching. (Just avoid making contact with your eyes.) “Bleach baths really do help,” adds Dr. Adil, who recommends having them once or twice a week (but you can take them every day if they help!). How to Go About It: In a full tub of warm water, dilute a half cup of standard or “unconcentrated” household bleach. Soak for 5 to 10 minutes in the bath, then rinse well with warm tap water and moisturise.
Use honey!
Honey has been utilised as a natural antibacterial agent in wound healing for ages. Wound care, or treating your sores to prevent infection, is an important element of HS therapy. Honey is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture and dehydrates microorganisms. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, honey’s high sugar content inhibits the growth of germs.Dr. Adil advises “directly on open sores as a soothing antimicrobial ointment.” After that, wrap the area in gauze.
Raise the temperature
Honey isn’t the only home wound care remedy available. Begin by placing a moist warm compress to your lesions for around 10 minutes; the heat will suck out pus and reduce irritation. Next, wash the affected area with a mild antibacterial / neem soap and thoroughly dry it before administering any topical treatments or dressings. According to Dr. Adil, never scrub or pick at the lesions, and avoid using rubbing alcohol because it might cause skin damage. Warm compresses or cold packs (neither directly against the skin) will provide pain relief throughout the day.
Take a look at Neem, haridhra.
Ayurveda, the Indian traditional school of medicine, emphasises the benefits of numerous medicinal plants for wound healing. Scientists looking for innovative pharmaceuticals from natural resources are turning to Ayurveda since phyto-medicines are not only inexpensive, but also relatively safe. Ayurveda describes several medications of plant, mineral, and animal origin for their wound healing qualities under the word Vranaropaka (wound healing agent). Some plants’ wound healing activities have been experimentally tested in various pharmacological models and patients, but the potential of the majority of them remains untapped.
Some Ayurvedic plants, namely Vata (Ficus bengalensis Linn.), Durva (Cynodon dactylon Pers.), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb.), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia Linn.), Chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus Linn. f.), Gular (Ficus racemosa Roxb.), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata DC.), Haridra (Curcuma longa Linn.), Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban), Snuhi (Euphorbia nerifolia Linn.), and Ghrita Kumarai (Aloe vera Tourn. ex Linn.) were found to be effective
Commonly available neem can be used as well in form of commercially available soap for regularly disinfecting the sores or lesions.
Leave out the dairy and the brewer’s yeast.
Dairy products can elevate insulin levels, which promotes an increase in the synthesis of hormones known as androgens. Because increased androgens play a role in the development of HS disease, dairy may promote HS flares in some persons. Dr. Adil suggests avoiding all dairy for two months before consuming a lot of dairy. “If your HS flares, you’re one of the people who should avoid dairy.” Brewer’s yeast, which can be present in breads, beer, and soy sauce, can also cause HS flare-ups in some people. Request an anti-gliadin antibody blood test from your dermatologist, which can reveal a sensitivity to brewer’s yeast.
Connect with Other HS Warriors
“Connecting with other people affected by HS can be really powerful,” Dr. Adil explains. “It’s comforting to know you’re not alone in your struggle, and patients can share treatments and remedies that have worked for them.” “Sometimes patients suggest things that aren’t safe,” he explains, such as cutting open lesions (people become desperate for relief and undertake this extremely dangerous practise), pouring rubbing alcohol through the tunnels, and putting undiluted bleach to skin. Make certain that any HS community you join is medically regulated.
Our Outlook –
According to Ayurveda, hidradenitis suppurativa is a cause of Kapha and Pitta dosha. When the digestive fire (Agni), or Pitta, is out of balance, the Kapha Dosha becomes vitiated, which slows down metabolism. Due to the disruption of fat molecules, they start to build up in muscles and impede bodily passageways, causing painful, swollen sores in the groin, buttocks, thighs, and armpits.
In Ayurveda, hidradenitis suppurativa Treatment is to restore the body’s natural equilibrium by detoxifying it with potent herbal therapies.
The treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa at Elite Ayurveda comprises balancing the Kapha and Pitta doshas, as well as providing harmony to the metabolism. The treatment comprises body detoxification, internal drugs to balance doshas, and external applications to heal scars.
The treatment involves combinations of herbs created based on individual Prakruti and Vikruti analysis. Visit our website to know more
Connect with us to get our patient testimonials and also to speak with our patients directly about their experience in getting their disease treated by us and by Ayurveda as a whole.
Medically reviewed by Dr Adil Moulanchikkal, Lead Ayurveda Specialist at EliteAyurveda Clinics. With over 15 years of experience in treating Neurological, Skin & Autoimmune Diseases.
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