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Whatever stage of hidradenitis suppurativa you’re in, pamper your skin with these professional tips and tactics.

If you have hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), you understand that a flare is more than just a small inconvenience—it’s a total barrier. Chronic skin disease, characterised by violent, inflammatory cyst-like pimples and pus-filled tunnels beneath the skin, can be extremely painful and disrupt your everyday activities. Prescription topicals, oral drugs, and injections can help to stop a flare and prevent future flares, but there are additional strategies to reduce discomfort while undergoing therapy, as well as skincare and lifestyle adjustments that can help avoid the condition from escalating. During an HS flare, here’s how to feel more at peace in your own skin.

HS, also known as acne inversa, is a chronic skin condition characterised by inflammation of tiny glands (apocrine sweat glands) near the base of your hair follicles. Experts aren’t sure why these glands get so heated and irritable. “We believe there is an exaggerated immune response to some of the bacteria that naturally live in sweat glands,” Dr. Adil adds. As a result, you get red, swollen, pus-filled abscesses in areas where your skin constantly rubs together, such as your underarms or groyne. These pimples “erupt,” releasing pus and shrinking in size before reappearing. 

Hurley phases (named after the doctor who created them) range from mild to severe. Although your HS may go from stage I to stage III, this is not always the case. “Many people remain in stage I for the duration of their HS,” explains Dr. Adil.  There are ways to take at least some of your own care wherever you are right now.

Self-Care for Stage I 

Stage I is the most benign form of the condition, with a single bump that returns in the same location but no scarring. During this time, you can improve your skin by performing the following:

Keep your surroundings clean.

 The purpose of treating a single bump is to reduce inflammation and prevent infection. Use an antibacterial neem soap to thoroughly cleanse the affected region. “It aids in the reduction of microorganisms on the skin that can cause infections and inflammation,” explains Dr. Adil.

Take out the razor. 

Razor blades can irritate bumps, and nicks or ingrown hairs can make the situation worse. If you have a breakout in the area, an electric shaver is a softer choice because it does not approach too close to the skin’s surface, according to Dr. Adil. Laser hair removal, which kills hair follicles with a laser source, can help lessen future flares and the severity of your HS while also removing unsightly hair.  

Replace your deodorant. 

Strongly perfumed antiperspirant/deodorants containing chemicals like aluminium can sting like hell if you have an inflamed underarm lump. Skip it until you’re well, or use a fragrance-free, aluminum-free solution instead.

Obtain some pain relief.

 Warm compresses facilitate drainage and provide relief from painful abscesses, while cool compresses can help reduce swelling. “Some patients also find that certain over-the-counter remedies containing menthol and camphor, such as Vick’s Vap-o-rub (or a similar generic) or Emuaid, feel soothing to apply,” notes Dr. Adil.

Self-Care (Stage II)

Stage II patients have sinus tracts, which are tunnels under the skin that connect the lesions, in addition to reoccurring pimples. You’ve moved past the stage of isolated, infrequent bumps, now it’s time to think about your lifestyle and what’s causing your HS.

Maintain an eye on the scale. 

“Studies suggest that weight loss, whether through traditional methods or bariatric surgery, may help reduce disease severity,” says Dr. Adil, our Ayurvedic Specialist. What you eat to lose weight may also be crucial. The research on diet and HS is limited, but it is sufficient to demonstrate a link between food and the severity of HS. According to a small research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, a dairy-free diet improved the skin of 83% of HS patients. Sugar, simple carbohydrates, nightshade foods (eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers), and brewer’s yeast have all been linked to an increase in HS symptoms. Consider the following before fully eliminating them from your diet: Food triggers vary from person to person, so figuring out yours may require some trial and error. Dr. Adil recommends removing one or two foods at a time.

Quit smoking. 

If you’re still puffing, it’s time to put the cigarette down. “Smoking has been shown to worsen disease flares,” explains Dr. Adil. It may also keep you from ever achieving remission. According to a new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, smokers had lower and delayed rates of remission for HS than those who quit or never smoked.

Increase your soothing abilities.

When lumps, sinus tracts, and scar tissue form, the situation can swiftly escalate from uncomfortable to painful. “At this point, it is often beneficial to consider medications to gain better control and try to reduce scarring and tunnelling over time,” explains Dr. Adil. For immediate relief, he suggests rubbing one teaspoon of white vinegar into a cup of warm water with a towel for 10 to 15 minutes.

HS Medicine Cabinet ADVANCED

Harsher medicines are essential to stay one step ahead of HS. Inquire with your dermatologist about these powerful medications that can help your skin.

Bacteria do not cause HS, but they can aggravate it, and oral antibiotics are taken to help lower their numbers when there are multiple active nodules.

Hormones

If your flare-ups increase just before or during your period (or if you have male-patterned baldness), consult your doctor about using herbal androgen-blocker supplements like licorice or saw palmetto.

Essential oils of tea tree or herbs

This potent essential oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for the treatment of HS. For best results, use a few drops with a quarter-size dose of fragrance-free moisturiser.

Self-Care Stage III

The third stage is the most severe, with multiple nodules spanning an area, numerous sinus tracts, and extensive scarring. You may have tried all of the above recommendations by this point, and an oral medicine, immune suppressant, or surgery may be part of the strategy. In the meanwhile, your goal should be to be as comfortable as possible.

Massage the bump. 

Although the pus-filled abscesses are uncomfortable and stink, they must drain in order to heal. Dr. Adil suggests massaging the swollen nodes in the shower to speed healing. Consider using moisture-absorbing powders to help keep the area dry while it drains.

Put on appropriate clothing.

Dr. Adil claims that drainage can demand multiple bandage changes each day. That’s a lot of gauze pads, which may rapidly mount up. Check with your insurance company to see if your wound supplies are covered. Don’t laugh, but feminine pads (placed over the draining area and wrapped with a reusable medical wrap) can be a surprising and cost-effective solution. When the bump has emptied and an open wound has formed, apply antibiotic ointment to it before covering it.

Enhance your attractiveness. Wearing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that doesn’t constrict around those friction-heavy areas will help you feel more at ease while dealing with and recovering from your condition.

Within an HS Bump

Let’s look more closely at what happens when healthy skin goes bad.

First, on the surface, When one or more bumps emerge, they usually come to a head and leak pus, similar to a big honkin’ zit or an angry boil. The nodule, on the other hand, does not always come to a head. You will instead suffer redness, swelling, and agony. The “good” news is that Stage 1 HS does not cause scarring.

Apocrine sweat glands, which are located at the base of your hair follicles, are sensitive. They’re inflamed, most likely as a result of an overzealous immune response to naturally occurring bacteria. You may experience irritation and anguish in the area even before you see anything on your skin.

Stage 2 On the surface, Level 2 features repeating bumps that appear in the same spots. When the lumps burst, the pus and blood seep back into your skin, filling the tunnels beneath the skin. You have an open wound and scars as a result.

lumps on the skin evolve from little to larger, paired lumps and scars.

Under the Skin Those same glands are inflamed, but now there is the formation of sinus tracts beneath the skin’s surface—tunnels that connect to surface lesions and fill with pus. Consider an ant farm with several underground tunnels.

Stage 3 On the exterior, Multiple deep, inflammatory lumps cover a substantial section of your body. Dense scar tissue accumulates as the lumps emerge and heal, which can be unpleasant.

Below the Surface In this most severe stage of HS, the sinus tract development is extensive and interconnected. Consider what would happen if all of New York City’s underground railway tubes merged into one enormous location. Isn’t it complete chaos? That is the current state of your skin.

Our Prognosis –

EliteAyurveda Clinics has a panel of doctors in many medical disciplines such as endocrine, autoimmune, gynaecology, and so on under one roof. We are well-known for treating chronic and difficult-to-treat illnesses with a holistic and root-cause approach.

To learn more, please contact us.

Hydradenitis suppurativa is a cause of Kapha and Pitta dosha, according to Ayurveda. When the digestive fire (Agni), or Pitta, is out of equilibrium, the Kapha Dosha becomes vitiated, causing metabolism to slow down. Because of the disturbance of fat molecules, they begin to accumulate in muscles and obstruct physiological passages, resulting in painful, swelling sores in the groyne, buttocks, thighs, and armpits.

The goal of hidradenitis suppurativa Treatment in Ayurveda is to restore the body’s natural balance by detoxifying it using effective herbal remedies. 

Elite Ayurveda’s treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa includes balancing the Kapha and Pitta doshas as well as restoring metabolism harmony. Body detoxification, internal medications to balance doshas, and exterior applications to repair wounds are all part of the treatment.

The treatment consists of herbal mixtures generated based on individual Prakruti and Vikruti analyses. To learn more, please visit our website.

Connect with us to obtain patient testimonials and to chat directly with our patients about their experience in having their ailment treated by us and Ayurveda in general.

Dr. Adil Moulanchikkal, Lead Ayurveda Specialist at EliteAyurveda Clinics, reviewed the medical records. With over 15 years of experience in Neurological, Skin, and Autoimmune Disease treatment.

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