Hidradenitis Suppurativa – Natural Treatments, Causes, Symptoms + Diet Tips

Despite being misdiagnosed and often underreported, hidradenitis suppurativa is prevalent in 1%-4% of the worldwide population (1). As it is a chronic condition, the chances of recurrence are quite high.

Have you developed red, hard bumps under your skin? Do these bumps connect under the skin and keep recurring, especially in your privates? While you may pass such bumps off as acne or boils, they could indicate something serious. Hidradenitis suppurativa can result in monstrous-looking lumps in different areas of your body. If you don’t avail treatment immediately, this condition can lead to complications. What can you do to stop hidradenitis suppurativa from flaring up further? What causes this unusual condition? Find answers to all these queries as you read through this post.

What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin condition characterized by small, painful lumps that occur under the skin. This condition is medically known as acne inversa. It usually occurs in areas where parts of your skin rub against each other, such as your underarms, the fold between your buttocks, under your breast folds, or in your groin.

Hidradenitis suppurativa begins as a small, single lesion in one region. This usually resolves spontaneously within a month or may rupture and leak pus. It may then begin to smell or cause tunnels (known as sinus tracts) under your skin.

Hidradenitis suppurativa often occurs after puberty and can persist for years. It also tends to worsen over time if not managed well.

The progression of the disease can vary from one individual to another. Hence, the following classification system is used to classify the disease into different stages.

Stages Of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa can be classified into the following stages.

• Hurley stage 1 – Formation of a single or few lesions with no apparent scarring or evidence of tunnels (sinus tracts).
• Hurley stage 2 – Recurrent abscesses with sinus tracts and scarring in either single or multiple widely separated lesions
• Hurley stage 3 – Diffuse or almost diffuse involvement, or multiple interconnected sinus tracts and abscesses across the entire area

Hidradenitis suppurativa usually occurs around your hair follicles surrounded by sweat and oil glands, such as near your armpits and groin. It can affect one or multiple areas of your body and is characterized by the following signs and symptoms.

Signs And Symptoms

The signs and symptoms associated with hidradenitis suppurativa are:

• Red bumps that are warm to touch – Such bumps can grow bigger and break open to drain pus. The drained pus often has a foul odor. These bumps may also itch and burn.
• Blackheads – They appear as small black fillings in pitted areas on the skin.
• Painful lumps – Small, pea-sized lumps that are hard to touch can also develop under the skin. Such lumps may prevail for years before becoming enlarged and inflamed.
• Tunnels – With time, these lumps on the skin may begin to connect under it through the formation of tracts. Such wounds heal quite slowly and leak pus.

Let us now take a look into the causes of hidradenitis suppurativa.

What Causes Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

In the past, the cause of Hidradenitis was not fully understood. Today most researchers agree that is is caused by the clogging and inflammation of hair follicles. However, researchers have not yet been able to determine what triggers the hair follicles to clog.

Some factors that may have a role to play are:

• Your hormones
• An irregular response of the immune system
• An underlying metabolic syndrome
• Mechanical stress
• Certain pharmaceutical drugs
• Certain bacteria

Certain factors can also put you at a higher risk of developing hidradenitis suppurativa. They are discussed below.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for hidradenitis suppurativa may include:

• Smoking
• Obesity
• Age – It is most common in individuals between 20 and 29 years of age.
• Gender – Women are at a higher risk of developing the condition than men.
• Family history – You are more likely to develop hidradenitis suppurativa if any of your close family members have had it.
• Underlying medical conditions like Crohn’s disease, diabetes, severe acne, arthritis, etc. can also put you at a higher risk.

Hidradenitis can be painful and difficult to manage. However, you may be able to relieve its symptoms with the help of some home remedies, like the ones mentioned right below.

Home Remedies To Manage Hidradenitis Suppurativa

1. Coconut Oil

You Will Need

• Virgin coconut oil (as required)
• Cotton swabs

What You Have To Do

1. Dab some virgin coconut oil onto a cotton swab.
2. Apply it to the affected area. Leave it on until it dries.
3. Rinse the affected area and pat dry.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

Virgin coconut oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties (2). It may help in reducing the inflammation in the affected area and soothing the boils in the affected area.

2. Warm Compress

You Will Need

• Hot water
• A clean washcloth

What You Have To Do

1. Soak a clean washcloth in hot water.
2. Wring out the excess water.
3. Allow the compress to cool for a second and apply it to the affected area.
4. Leave it on for a minute.
5. Repeat 2-3 times.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

The warm compress improves circulation, helps in draining excess pus, and also reduces the inflammation associated with boils (3). Hence, it may help in speeding up the healing of boils that accompany hidradenitis suppurativa.

3. Honey

You Will Need

• 1-2 teaspoons of organic honey
• Cotton swabs

What You Have To Do

1. Using a cotton swab, apply organic honey to the affected area.
2. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

Honey possesses both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (4). These properties make it a great option for healing the painful and inflamed bumps caused by hidradenitis suppurativa.

4. Turmeric

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• Water (as required)

What You Have To Do

1. Take a teaspoon of turmeric powder and add a few drops of water to it. Mix well to form a thick paste.
2. Apply the paste to the affected area.
3. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
4. You can also drink a teaspoon of edible turmeric powder mixed with a glass of hot milk for additional benefits.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

The major component of turmeric, curcumin, displays significant anti-inflammatory properties (5). These properties can help alleviate the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa.

5. Tea Tree Essential Oil

You Will Need

• 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil
• 2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil (or any other carrier oil)
• Cotton swabs or pads

What You Have To Do

1. Add a drop or two of tea tree essential oil to one to two teaspoons of sweet almond oil.
2. Mix well and dip a cotton swab/pad into it. Apply it to the affected area.
3. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once daily.

Why This Works

Tea tree oil offers multiple benefits for your skin. One of its useful properties is its anti-inflammatory nature, which may help in the healing of hidradenitis suppurativa (6).

6. Aloe Vera

You Will Need

• Freshly extracted aloe vera gel
• Cotton swabs

What You Have To Do

1. Extract some gel from an aloe leaf.
2. Grind the gel well and take some of it on a cotton swab.
3. Apply a thin layer on the affected area.
4. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and rinse it off.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

Aloe vera is used for treating many skin disorders due to its anti-inflammatory properties (7). These properties can also be useful for managing the inflammatory symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa.

7. Neem Oil

You Will Need

• 1-2 teaspoons of organic neem oil (as required)
• Cotton swabs

What You Have To Do

1. Take some neem oil on a cotton swab.
2. Apply a thin and even layer to the affected areas.
3. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and rinse it off.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once daily.

Why This Works

Neem is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and widely used to treat many skin infections (8). These activities of neem can also help in speeding up the healing of the pimple-like bumps that surface with hidradenitis suppurativa.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup of water
• Cotton pads

What You Have To Do

1. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to half a cup of water.
2. Mix well and dip a cotton pad into it.
3. Apply the mixture to the affected area.
4. You can also leave the cotton pad on the skin for better results.
5. Rinse it off after 20-30 minutes.
6. Drinking this mixture can also help.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar exhibits quite impressive anti-inflammatory properties that can play an important role in improving the inflammatory symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa (9).

9. Zinc

You Will Need

Zinc supplement

What You Have To Do

Consume zinc supplement daily. Consult a doctor before taking any additional supplements to find the suitable dosage for you.

How Often You Should Do This

Consume this as per your physician’s directions.

Why This Works

In a study published in the journal Dermatology, zinc supplements were found to alleviate the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa (10).

These remedies can help reduce the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa and may also prevent them from worsening.

Your diet can also play a major role in managing hidradenitis suppurativa. Altering your diet can help reduce the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa and can also speed the healing of the bumps.

Diet For Hidradenitis Suppurativa

What To Eat

• Fiber-rich foods like fresh fruits, veggies, lentils, etc. to keep your hormones and blood sugar level balanced.
• Omega-3 rich foods like fatty fish, walnuts, avocados, etc. to fight inflammation.
• Natural sweeteners

Foods To Avoid

• Dairy products – They can cause inflammation within the body and may also raise the levels of certain hormones associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (11).
• Sugar – Sugary delicacies can cause your blood sugar levels to spike as well as inflammation within your body. Avoiding them can help improve the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa (11).
• Brewer’s yeast – This ingredient was observed to trigger hidradenitis suppurativa in some people. Hence, you should avoid foods that contain brewer’s yeast like beer, wine, fermented foods, etc. (12).

You can also follow these tips to prevent the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa from recurring.

Prevention Tips

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Wear loose clothing.
• Quit smoking.
• Follow a healthy and well-balanced diet.
• Avoid shaving the affected areas.
• Take warm baths and maintain personal hygiene.
• Clean the affected area with a medicated soap daily.

These tips and remedies will help in relieving the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa and accelerating healing.

However, it is important that you know that there is no cure for this condition, and treatment is usually aimed at managing the symptoms and preventing flare-ups.

Since hidradenitis suppurativa is a serious condition, it is recommended that you avail medical intervention to manage it successfully. The remedies and prevention tips should be used to complement ongoing medical treatments.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments box below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hidradenitis suppurativa, pimples, boils, and folliculitis?

Hidradenitis suppurativa is often mistaken for other skin conditions like folliculitis, pimples, and boils. However, that is not the case.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin disorder that causes hard bumps to appear on both sides of your body. Such bumps usually occur in areas like your groin, armpits, and between the buttocks. One of its main characteristics, which makes it stands out, is the formation of tunnels under the skin.
Pimples may look a lot like hidradenitis suppurativa, but they usually occur on the face, forehead, chest, shoulders, or back.
Boils also look quite a lot like pimples and hidradenitis suppurativa. They are also termed as carbuncles and most often caused by bacteria. They can occur alone or in groups. The boils occur mostly on the face, armpits, shoulder, neck, or the buttocks.
Folliculitis is solely caused by the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It is a result of a fungal or bacterial infection. It mostly occurs in areas where you shave.

Which is the best soap for hidradenitis suppurativa?

Soaps containing antimicrobial agents like chlorhexidine may help alleviate the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa. Dial White and Hibiclens are two such soaps.

How to test for hidradenitis suppurativa?

To diagnose hidradenitis suppurativa, your doctor will begin by asking about your signs and symptoms. A physical examination may follow this, and your medical history will also be analyzed.
Diagnosis is made from the patient history and recognition of characteristic clinical manifestations. There is no specific testing needed to diagnose hidradenitis suppurativa. But if drainage or pus is found, it may be sent for testing to rule out other skin conditions.

What are the other treatments for hidradenitis suppurativa?

Treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa is mainly aimed at alleviating and managing its symptoms.
Medications for this condition include:
• Topical and oral drugs
• Steroids to help reduce inflammation
• Hormone therapy
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• Medications for pain
Some surgical procedures may also help with hidradenitis suppurativa. They include:
• Uncovering the connected tunnels by cutting away the skin that covers it
• Punch debridement
• Surgical removal of the affected skin
• Incision and drainage

What happens if hidradenitis suppurativa is left untreated?

Untreated hidradenitis suppurativa can result in complications like scarring, restricted movement, infection of the affected areas, changes in skin texture, and even depression. In rare cases, individuals may also develop skin cancer.

When to see a doctor for hidradenitis suppurativa?

See a doctor for hidradenitis suppurativa if you notice any of its symptoms like red, painful bumps. Early treatment can help manage the symptoms and prevent further complications.

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Reviewer Author

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

Read full bio of Shaheen Naser