Dos and Don’ts for Home Treatment of HS Wounds

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Wounds produced by hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) require specific care during the healing process. The abscesses caused by HS can bleed blood and pus, and in severe cases, tunnels beneath the skin can form linking numerous lumps. When required, your doctor can assist in draining them, but having a daily care plan to keep your wounds ultra clean is critical to healing. We’ll give you some practical advice to help you get by.

Don’t be too harsh on yourself.

Keep in mind that having HS has nothing to do with poor hygiene. (The aetiology of HS is uncertain). Which is of little consolation when wounds, well, smell. “Malodorous drainage is a unique feature of HS,” explains Dr Adil. While some persons with chronic inflammatory skin illnesses can hide their conditions, any unpleasant-smelling leakage can make hiding HS from others impossible. He observes that precise wound care promotes healing, minimises infections, and reduces odour.

Be open to a multi-tiered strategy.

Controlling your symptoms is the emphasis of at-home HS treatment regimens, which may include doctor-prescribed treatments, pain relievers as well as some alternative therapies (more on those later). “What people do at home really depends on the severity of the wounds they have,” Dr Adil explains. Regardless of the severity of your HS, he emphasises the importance of regular—and gentle—bathing, as well as applying a topical antiseptic (like neem soap) directly to your wounds to reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin, which lowers your chances of infection.

Do inquire about bleach baths (really).

Some people’s skin becomes infested with microorganisms. If your dermatologist believes you are in this category, he or she may advise you to take bleach baths. Dr Adil advises taking a bleach bath only if your doctor officially authorizes it—and then following the directions to the letter. Because bleach is a harsh chemical, bleach baths require a small quantity of it, and “if you’re not using it correctly, it can do far more harm than good,” he notes. If you want to try this treatment, consult with your doctor first.

Make use of the best wound dressings that you can afford.

Wound dressings of high quality are an essential aspect of at-home treatment since they can make or break your quality of life. Such bandages not only encourage healing, but according to Dr Adil, certain types are excellent at absorbing odorous fluids and keeping your clothes dry, which reduces humiliation. If your insurance company will cover it, more expensive dressings like silver impregnated foam and calcium alginate are comfortable, very effective, and aid with pain relief and drainage management. If your insurance won’t cover the cost, stay reading for some excellent alternate dressing materials.

DIY Dressing Alternatives Should Not Be Ignored

Dr Adil suggests creating alternate wound dressings using sanitary napkins, adult incontinence pants or infant diapers, all of which are composed of very absorbent fabrics. “These products are designed to wick moisture away from an area, so they will also protect the healthy skin around it,” he says. Because HS affects places that curve, such as under your arm, beneath your breasts, and in the folds of your groin, dressing flexibility is essential. He also advises against using gauze in regions with a lot of drainage since it might stick to the incision and create pain and stress when peeled off.

Dress Your Wounds in a Way That Suits You

According to Dr Adil, how you apply your dressings is primarily about your own tastes. He recommends a spoonful of white vinegar in warm water as a moderate, non-stinging antiseptic for your wounds. It’s probably easier to clean your wounds while showering, but if you want, you can do it separately. Look into the Hypafix tape —According to Dr Adil, it’s a favorite among HS patients since it breathes and is softer on the skin than many medical tapes.

Do not use non medical grade honey, aloe vera, or tea tree oil…

The fundamental purpose of applying topical lotions and ointments on HS wounds is to help reduce the number of bacteria so that they heal faster—and none of these approaches do that, according to Dr Adil. He is concerned that they may contribute to hair follicle obstruction, especially when they are all thick—and non medical grade tea tree oil can cause clogging. “Honey dressings are popular right now, but there’s zero evidence that they help with HS,” Dr Adil explains. “It’ll probably just make a mess with dubious benefits.”

…and don’t reach for the petroleum jelly, Either

Though you may have heard that applying petroleum jelly to wounds is beneficial, Dr Adil says this is not the case. First and foremost, attempting to apply it to a draining wound will result in failure. Second, the absorbent substance in your dressing should come into direct touch with your wound to absorb moisture. Petroleum jelly, like honey and aloe, is quite thick, so if it gets on the skin around the wound, Dr Adil believes it could obstruct your hair follicles and accelerate the inflammatory process of your disease.

Neem & turmeric for wound cleaning

Neem is a mahogany tree native to India that has long been used as a natural first aid salve for wounds and illnesses. The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties of neem efficiently reduce inflammation, increase skin cell proliferation, and boost collagen formation, according to research. Ayurvedic practitioners utilise it to prevent the spread of bacteria, reduce redness and swelling, and relieve pain. 

Many people recognise turmeric as a skincare powerhouse due to its high antioxidant capabilities, which allow it to diminish wrinkles, battle acne, remove dark spots, and do other things. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, turmeric’s main active ingredient, allow it to cleanse wounds of bacteria, alleviate inflammation, promote healthy skin cell regeneration, and speed up the overall healing process, according to research.

To apply turmeric to burns and wounds, make a paste with turmeric and aloe vera gel and apply it to the affected regions for 10 minutes before washing it off. 

Or use neem in the following way. The traditional use of neem is to crush the leaves into a paste. Apply to skin for 20 minutes before rinsing with cool water.

Take Good Care of Yourself

Don’t forget the rest of your body—or your mind—while you’re tending to your wounds. Because additional skin folds might aggravate your HS wounds, try to move more (even brisk walking every day can help) and eat a nutritious, anti-inflammatory diet to lose weight. Wear loose-fitting clothing whenever feasible to reduce friction and soreness. “This helps reduce disease activity in some patients,”. Dr Adil adds that smoking is connected to worsening disease over time, so do everything you can to quit smoking as well. And don’t give up hope: HS treatments are available and can reduce flares, so there is still hope.

Our Outlook –

Under one roof, we at EliteAyurveda Clinics have a panel of specialists in numerous dimensions of medical domains such as endocrine, autoimmune, gynecology, and so on. We are well-known for taking a multifaceted and root-cause approach to treating chronic and difficult-to-treat disorders.

Contact us to learn more.

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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