Despite being misdiagnosed and often underreported, hidradenitis suppurativa is prevalent in 1%-4% of the worldwide population. Because 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, particularly in your privates? While you may pass such bumps off as acne or boils, they may indicate something serious. Hidradenitis suppurativa may result in monstrous-looking lumps in different areas of your body. If you don’t avail the treatment immediately, this condition will lead to complications. What can you do to prevent hidradenitis suppurativa from flaring up further? What causes this uncommon condition? Know about the home remedies for hidradenitis suppurativa..
What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin condition characterized by tiny, painful lumps that occur under the skin. This condition is medically referred to as acne inversa. It usually happens in areas where parts of your skin rub against each other, like your underarms, the fold between your buttocks, beneath 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 could rupture and leak pus. It may then begin to smell or cause tunnels (known as sinus tracts) under your skin.
Hidradenitis suppurativa usually happens after puberty and can persist for years. It additionally 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 proof 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 complete area
Hidradenitis suppurativa typically occurs around your hair follicles surrounded by sweat and oil glands, like near your armpits and groin. It can affect one or multiple areas of your body and is characterized by the subsequent signs and symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
The signs and symptoms related to hidradenitis suppurativa are:
- Red bumps that are warm to touch – Such bumps will grow bigger and break open to drain pus. The drained pus usually has a foul odor. These bumps may additionally itch and burn.
- Blackheads – they seem as small black fillings in pitted areas on the skin.
- Painful lumps – tiny, pea-sized lumps that are hard to touch may also develop under the skin. Such lumps could prevail for years before becoming enlarged and inflamed.
- Tunnels – With time, these lumps on the skin might begin to connect under it through the formation of tracts. Such wounds heal quite slowly and leak pus.
Let us now take a glance into the causes of hidradenitis suppurativa.
Causes of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
In the past, the cause of Hidradenitis wasn’t totally understood. these days most researchers agree that is caused by the clogging and inflammation of hair follicles. However, researchers haven’t 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 may put you at a higher risk of developing hidradenitis suppurativa. they’re discussed below.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for hidradenitis suppurativa may include:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Age – it’s most common in people between 20 and 29 years of age.
- Gender – ladies are at a higher risk of developing the condition than men.
- Family history – you’re more likely to develop hidradenitis suppurativa if any of your close family members have had it.
- Underlying medical conditions like Crohn’s illness, diabetes, severe acne, arthritis, etc. may 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 for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
1. Coconut Oil
Dab some virgin coconut oil onto a cotton swab and apply it to the affected area. Leave it on till it dries. Rinse the affected area and pat dry. Do this 1-2 times daily.
Why This Works
Virgin coconut oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties. It may facilitate in reducing the inflammation in the affected area and soothing the boils in the affected area.
2. Warm Compress
Soak a clean washcloth in hot water. Wring out the excess water. Allow the compress to cool down for a second and apply it to the affected area. Leave it on for a minute. You can do this 1-2 times daily.
Why This Works
The warm compress improves circulation, helps in draining excess pus, and additionally reduces the inflammation related to boils. Hence, it may help in speeding up the healing of boils that accompany hidradenitis suppurativa.
3. Honey
Using a cotton swab, apply organic honey to the affected area. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off. Do this 1-2 times daily.
Why This Works
Honey possesses each analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties make it a good choice for healing the painful and inflamed bumps caused by hidradenitis suppurativa.
4. Turmeric
Take a teaspoon of turmeric powder and add a few drops of water to that. Combine well to make a thick paste and apply the paste to the affected area. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Do this 1-2 times daily.
You can additionally drink a teaspoon of edible turmeric powder mixed with a glass of hot milk for additional advantages.
Why This Works
The major component of turmeric, curcumin, displays important anti-inflammatory properties. These properties will help alleviate the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa.
5. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Add 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil to 1-2 teaspoons of sweet almond oil. Mix well and dip a cotton swab/pad into it. Apply it to the affected area. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off. You can do this once daily.
Why This Works
Tea tree oil offers multiple advantages for your skin. One of its helpful properties is its anti-inflammatory nature, which can help in the healing of hidradenitis suppurativa.
6. Aloe Vera
Extract some gel from an aloe leaf. Grind the gel well and take some of it on a cotton swab.
Apply a thin layer on the affected area. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and rinse it off. Do this 1-2 times daily.
Why This Works
Aloe vera is used for treating several skin disorders due to its anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may be helpful for managing the inflammatory symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa.
7. Neem Oil
Take some neem oil on a cotton swab. Apply a thin and even layer to the affected areas.
Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and rinse it off. You can do this once daily.
Why This Works
Neem is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and widely used to treat several skin infections. These activities of neem may facilitate in speeding up the healing of the pimple-like bumps that surface with hidradenitis suppurativa.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to half a cup of water. Mix well and dip a cotton pad into it. Apply the mixture to the affected area. You can additionally leave the cotton pad on the skin for better results. Rinse it off after 20-30 minutes. Drinking this mixture may help. Try this once daily.
Why This Works
Apple cider vinegar exhibits quite spectacular anti-inflammatory properties that may play a vital role in improving the inflammatory symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa.
These remedies will help cut back the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa and will additionally prevent them from worsening.
Your diet can even play a significant role in managing hidradenitis suppurativa. Altering your diet can help cut back the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa and may additionally 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 glucose level balanced.
Omega-3 rich foods like fatty fish, walnuts, avocados, etc. to fight inflammation.
Foods To Avoid
Dairy products – they can cause inflammation inside the body and may additionally raise the levels of certain hormones related to hidradenitis suppurativa.
Sugar – sugary delicacies may cause your blood glucose levels to spike as well as inflammation within your body. Avoiding them will help improve the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa.
Brewer’s yeast – This ingredient was observed to trigger hidradenitis suppurativa in some individuals. Hence, you should avoid foods that contain brewer’s yeast like beer, wine, fermented foods, etc.
You can additionally follow these tips to forestall 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 home remedies for hidradenitis suppurativa can help in relieving the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa and fast healing.
However, it’s vital that you know that there’s no cure for this condition, and treatment is sometimes aimed at managing the symptoms and preventing flare-ups.
Since hidradenitis suppurativa is a serious condition, it’s recommended that you avail medical intervention to manage it successfully. Remedies and prevention tips should be used to complement ongoing medical treatments.
