Newly diagnosed, any tips or suggestions?

Hi I am sorry you have been diagnosed with HS.  I was diagnosed with it around 8 years ago but had had it for around 4 years.  

No one knows what causes HS but apparently it is more common in smokers and those who are overweight (so a doctor told me).  Oh yes and also in those who have suffered from acne (which I have).  

I was told to wear loose clothing and if you get them on your legs avoid trousers.  

I am not aware of any foods which aggravate it.  It is a disease of the skin.

List of things not to do:

1)  Never prick them with anything to try and get the pus out as you run the risk of infection.

2)  Always go to the doctor for antibiotics when necessary

3)  Never feel guilty or listen to anyone tell you it is a lack of hygiene - its not!

Things you can do:

1)  Take a daily antiobiotic (I did and it didn't really help but it might for some.

2)  Get a lotion on prescription - I use dalycin.  It is quite good on the smaller ones

3)  Get an appointment to see a dermatologist who can explain all your options.

4)  Any recurring boils can be incised by a surgeon which should stop them keep coming back.

Other than that just be aware of any that come up and keep a close eye on them.  If they are infected go to a doctor straight away as it is possible to get blood poisoning from them.   Take them seriously please.  

Lastly keep coming in here and we will do our best to help.  Ok?  x 

hi

ask to see a dermatologist, i was referred for surgery and have had 14 operations on it so far, started in my armpits and would have them incised and antibiotics only to come back again, ended up having major plastic surgery and while i was waiting to have it started in other armpit, so had to have that done, had a break for about a year then started in my groins, kept having them incised but they won't touch me for major surgery now because of other health problems so my gp referred me to a dermatologist, initially i was put on a 12 moth course of antibiotics which helped greatly, the abscesses weren't totally inactive but were more managageable, i now take them permanently even though it isn't recommended the dermatologist reckons the risks outweigh the benefits. I didn't realise if you have them surgically removed they just come back somewhere else, i have had them on my anus and even the base of my scalp!!

I wish i had gone to my gp at the first sign of anything and not waited for them to grow to a real lump. I have had such a miserable time with them with hindsight i would have paid to see a dermatologist rather than a surgeon. Discuss long term antibiotics with your doctor. Only use mild soap, tea tree is quite good for dabbing on them when they are painful, give up on deodorant, get a cotton pad and dip it in cornflour and dust that under your arms. good luck with it all

Nightshade vegetables aggravate mine. HS is an autoimmune condition an nightshades can make autoimmune conditions worse.   I have started avoiding nightshades and am now in remission! If I accidentally eat a nightshade, I will have a cyst flare up. Eating out is rare.  I have to watch every ingredient!