Anybody still go swimming?
Posted , 10 users are following.
Swimming was the first thing that my HS affected [although I didn't know that's what it was at the time], when I was 14 and stopped going because my legs and groin were a horrible, embarrassing mess.
Lots of websites giving advice to HS sufferers say that swimming is the best exercise to do, because not too much rubbing of limbs etc, and also the chlorine is supposed to be good because helps dry the skin out.
So, what I'm wondering is, does anyone here go swimming?
If they do, what do they wear to cover up the affected areas - and is it accepted by the pool or do you have to ask special permission to wear T-shirts or whatever?
I need to do some kind of exercise because I'm getting obese, and I'm trapped in the cycle of 'losing weight would lessen the pain a little' - 'need to exercise to lose weight' - 'can't exercise because of the pain'.
Can anybody else relate to this?
Thanks.
0 likes, 13 replies
Guest
Posted
I can relate something chronic!
I used to love swimming untill HS happened, i even used to swim competitively, now, you cant get me anywhere near a pool! The doctors advised me to start again, but why exactly would i want to go to a public pool and let everybody see the hideous mess that is my groin and my thighs? People ive been close to/ friends with who claimed to understand my pain and what i was going through eventually stopped hanging around with me due to the fact that i was \"dirty\" and \"going to infect them\" and this was from people who id explained the disease to. And if they said things like that im definately not exposing it to the public who wont have a clue.
Now im in the same situation as you, in the same cycle, and wishing i could find a way out of it.
Try talkin to the lifeguard or the people at reception. They should be able to advise you on what you are allowed to wear, and you might even get the chance to educate them a little bit on HS.
And if we all did that, the world might eventually not be so ignorant to our suffering and lack of confidence!
Guest
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Guest
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Guest
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ukheather
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I am looking for something that will cover the scars on my thighs
Guest
Posted
There are some pretty cool islamic cossies out there (sometimes called Burquinis!!!). Google for \"islamic swimsuit\" or \"muslim swimming costume\".
You want a 'semi cover' version, which has short sleeves and legs, and no hood. They are all made from proper swimwear fabric and keep their shape when wet.
In my local pool women also wear a standard one piece swimming cossie with thin lycra cycling shorts underneath, and / or a technical t shirt on top (Saucony make superb thin ones that don't soak up water, which are meant for runners).
Guest
Posted
I can completely sympathise with this experience. I don't really like going swimming because of the mess that my thighs and armpits are in but I'm tempted to try getting some shorts/muslim swimming costume as recommended by other people here.
I too have found it hard to lose weight because it's hard to do exercise, but I've recently found some exercise that I CAN do without making it worse. These are:
Skipping (try jumping over the rope with both feet at the same time, so your legs don't rub against each other, and also use only your lower arms to swing the rope and keep your upper arms still, so you don't cause rubbing in your underarms.
Hula-hooping (either with a real hula hoop or if you have/know anyone with a Wii-fit there is a hula hoop game on there).
I know these both sound like quite childish things to do but they do burn lots of calories so help to lose weight and, for me at least, they don't make my Hidradenitis feel worse.
Hope this helps
Lucy
Guest
Posted
i dont let it beat me, if people dont like the look of it then i tell them to not look at it. i dont care what anybody else thinks of what i have got because i know i am a nice kind good and strong minded person and just because i have a disease that looks ugly doesnt mean i should have to stop doing it.
x
Loracomer1995 Raef
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SammyB92 Raef
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I am hopefully gonna be diagnosed tomorrow with hs even though i am 100% certain i have it along with rheumatoid arthritis. Only way i can exercise is to swim and when i do, I swim in a sports bra and a muscle singlet and shorts. Thankfully the pool i go to doesnt get many people therefore making it easier with the whole self conscious side of things. Hope this helps.
wi11iam Raef
Posted
Yes go, if you're embarrassed by your marks dress to cover them.
Conquer your affliction, or it will conquer you.
lady15469 Raef
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anotherkat Raef
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Wow this thread starred 10 years ago! I love swmming and wont give it up! If my underarms are bad, I wear surfer stuff to go swimming - "rashguard" top with elbow length sleeves. My thighs are a mess, so I always wear swim shorts in a bike short length (about mid thigh). I only ever swim at the beach, no easy access to a pool. I could not care less what anyone might think of my beach fashion choices.
Of course, I have to cover any open spots with waterproof dressings under the swim duds.
With all the recent vibrio scares where I go to the beach - gulf of mexico - I have stayed out of the water when it's been detected anywhere near our beach. Even bandaged and covered up, that feels a but too risky if I know it's nearby.