Choose a mild, hypoallergenic soap to avoid irritating your skin. Exfoliating your skin may also prevent blocked sweat glands. Allow your skin to air-dry rather than rubbing dry with a towel. Wash daily, or twice a day if necessary to maintain cleanliness.
Underwire bras can block sweat glands beneath the breasts. Try to find a supportive bra that doesn’t press tightly against your skin. Tight waistbands can also block the sweat glands.
If you need help to quit smoking, talk to your medical health provider or a local health organization. Support groups, online groups, or individual coaches can help you quit smoking. Many companies have incentive programs to help their employees quit smoking. Keep trying until you find the one that works for you.
Talk to your health care provider about weight loss support groups and dietary needs. If you’ve already developed HS, losing weight can help prevent additional flareups.
Wearing perfume or perfumed deodorants or lotions may also irritate the skin. Use unscented, noncomedogenic products designed for sensitive skin. Because shaving the groin and armpits are culturally sensitive subjects, you may wish to talk to your doctor about finding support groups. Wearing concealing clothing is one way to navigate the social complexities of body hair.
Wash groin daily or twice daily, depending on your individual needs. Use gentle antibacterial soap and allow to air dry. Use lukewarm water to wash groin.
It is okay to “overheat” your body with exercise or by using a sauna. Antiperspirants can be too harsh for sensitive skin, resulting in blocked sweat glands. If you choose to wear an antiperspirant, check with your doctor for recommendations. Stay out of the sun during its most intense periods. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen when you do spend time outdoors. Drink plenty of water and cool off in the shade or indoors whenever necessary.
These symptoms often start just after puberty with a single, painful bump. Women, African-Americans, overweight, smokers and people with familial history of HS are most likely to develop the symptoms of HS. Some people experience mild forms of HS that can be best treated at home. Others require help from a doctor or medical care provider. HS affects at least 1% of the population.
You can also use a hot teabag as a compress. Make a cup of tea by steeping a teabag in boiling water. Then take the hot teabag and apply it to the affected area for pain relief. The warmth will help relieve pain, but it won’t get rid of the bump.
You may wish to follow your washing with an over-the-counter antibiotic creme. Avoid comedogenic moisturizing creams, lotions, etc. as they may block your sweat glands and pores.
While zinc appears safe during pregnancy in small amounts, check with your doctor and use with caution. Studies have not ruled out the possibility of harm to the fetus. Avoid zinc chloride. No studies have been done on its safety or effectiveness.
If there isn’t bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed to suppress additional flare-ups. Antibiotics can be taken orally, in pill form, or can be found in ointments to apply to the affected area.
Steroids shouldn’t be used long-term, as they have negative side effects. Long-term side effects include osteoporosis, weight gain, cataracts, and mental health problems like depression. [13] X Research source Injections of steroid medication into the affected area can also be effective for short-term treatment.
These medications are also used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, juvenile arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis), ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis. Because they are new, these medications are expensive. Most insurance plans should cover them, but check to see if your policy allows their use.
Surgical drainage of swollen area provides short-term relief. Surgical removal of the skin in all affected areas may be recommended. In these cases, skin grafting will need to be done to repair the areas and close the wound.
