Top Remedies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

I have been struggling with HS for quite a few years, but recently I had BOTOX injections in my armpits that has provided me relief ever since. My doctor told me that the effect will last for around a year and then i might need another round. Initial results are very good. Good luck.

I know that Burdock Root comes in capsule form. I have bought it at the health food store. Hope this helps.
Have a great day

Mine too. Specifically corn and sugar. Going to try this ASAP.

What a wonderful site! I have suffered with HS for 35 years now. Doctors are useless in treating this condition, its just antibiotics or very scary medication that I refused to take, because it was just too damaging (anything that causes massive birth defects in babies should you fall pregnant within 2 years of just taking 1 tablet can't be good!!)

I have them under my armpits where I've had 4 operations over the years to get the rotten things removed, but they always come back. I also have them in the groin and buttocks. Mine have recently changed form however, they have decided to come out as small boils all over my body now, naturally of course, doctors put me on antibiotics (I think its high time somebody out there in the medical world did some research on this condition, more and more people are developing it, yet nobody knows anything about it or how to cure it).

Anyhow, I thought I'd mention a product that I've used on my pustules for draining them. It may help someone out there, I've found it very effective for drawing the contents of them out once they burst. The name of the dressing is Allevyn. It comes in an adhesive and non adhesive variety. It can be awkward at times to cover a boil, depending on where it is (if its a groin one in the crease, I usually find the non adhesive handy, they can be placed over it and undies hold it in place). The adhesive is good if you get them on flat areas, like thighs or tummies. A GP put me onto this product, they use it to dress ulcers on the legs to drain out the infection.

Experimentation is the key, I sometimes use the non adhesive with some sticking plaster to hold it in place. Anyhow, if you tend to suffer when they break open with that awful smelly gunk that comes out of them, these dressings will drain all that awful muck out, which I find makes me feel alot better. These dressings are designed to be left in place for 2 or 3 days though, so you don't have to replace them daily, unless necessary. But I'm definitely going to try this turmeric remedy, it sounds marvellous.

My prayers to you all fellow HS sufferers. Its a rotten disease, a life destroying disease and its about time somebody did some research on HS. We need to know why we have it and what can cure it. In my 35 years of suffering from it, surgery is still the only option and its anything but permanent!!! That's just plain sad...

Hia saw your post and thought I'd try the dressings you mentioned. I use chlorhexidine wash before I enter the shower/bath which helps keep some of them under control.

i did my own food tests for the past 4 years and i notice that i only have outbreaks when i eat any corn, corn starch, corn meal, maltodextrin

I am a Naturopathic Doctor and a Homeopath. Homeopathy is prescribed according to unique symptoms and is very specific and individualized. You cannot take a remedy prescribed to another person and expect it to work the same way. There are hundreds of remedies and several people with the same diagnosis could express their disease differently and each be given a different remedy that works. Therefore, I recommend going to a homeopath if you are interested in trying homeopathy and let them do the prescribing.

I have been diagnosed with HS and am greatful for all the comments out here--I will try the dial soap and tumeric, These sores are very painful ---I am currently changing my diet and dropping caffeine. Right now I could drink a whole pot of coffee--lol. Thanks for your help. I have tried colloidal silver, but nothing changed. Thanks Linda

I have HS, sounds like a AA meeting. Currently on Spiroluctane, and two antibiotics. Started clearing right way day number 6 and still clearing. My doctor thinks I might have to stay on Spiro for awhile. I just want to shave my armpits again.

I went through a period where I was getting genital boils or pimples that would be very painful and sometimes had to be lanced. I began to get them with ever increasing frequency until finally I was getting them every 2-3 weeks. They would take 7-10 days to develop and resolve and I would be relieved only to get a new one within a short time. That made it kind of difficult to work and I used up a lot of vacation time and annoyed my employers. The gynecologist thought I had something called hydradenitis suppurativa. My dermatologist agreed. There was no real treatment, so they said.

Looking it up on the internet I found lots of painful stories but not much help to be had. I did come across a doctor's explanation to a poster, though, that I would remember later. The doctor said that the problem was that the oil in the hair follicles was too thick and was clogging up the pores because the poster was not getting enough essential oils. That made no sense to me so I forgot about it. Later, at the height of my boil problems I decided that losing weight would help so I started the Atkins diet program. If you do it right, you take their supplementary oil capsules - esential fatty acids, ie. Omega Oils. I did that. After a period of months, I suddenly realized that I had not had a boil in a long time and I remembered that doctor's comment. Eventually I stopped the diet and stopped taking the oils. The boils came back. I started taking the oils again - they went away.

Connecting the dots, I now make sure that I supplement with Omega oils regularly and that keeps the little beasties away. If I get one, which is rare now, I usually realize that I haven't been taking my oils again and when I restart, they disappear. We need these essential fatty acids anyway for other reasons so why not? To me, it seems a reasonable trade and a very easy cure for a tough problem that I have discovered is a lot more common among women than I would have expected.

I came to your site for info. again this autumn for alternative treatments for HS. For 32 yrs I tried every thing with NO long term success.At that point I was considering a 5th operation, for a year or two of relief. But now I can be hopeful!! For 0ne month now I 've been taking: TURMERIC (in # 2caplets /4 to 6 a day/ also in foods I eat ) TEA TREE OIL ( apply twice a day ) and DIAL soap BAR Gold (wash 2x a day). The improvement is amazing!

Thanks to sufferers coming on line and sharing with others, I can start to feel hopeful again...

Other things that help me but are not a "cure " Epson salts to soak, drinking lots of water, staying away from processed foods, chocolate, cafeine,alcool...But for me, stress/ sweating and tight clothes are the 3 main triggers.

Hope I can help someone ...

PS If anyone can tell me where in CANADA I can buy Dial Gold BARS I would appreciate this info./ had to order from US.

Hi I just found this site, I had my first boil (i guess you can call it that) when i was 19 I was carefree and had a rocking body and great skin I was often asked what did I use on my skin. I had a great natural golden glow, then my life slowly been to change, I usually get my boils or cysts on my back...just recently I started to get them under my breasts and in my arm pits...I never knew what I had and had no insurance to go to the derm...I finally got some school money and saw my first derm I was given no help at all. At this time my back now had bullet like holes left from the scarring, I no longer can wear backless anything...I questioned... Was I too vein in my teens and early twenties the reason this happened to me? I saw another derm...at 28 I was pregnant with my son, he told me I had HS...I live in pain...I would burst these things myself because I just could not take the throbin burnin pain another day...and oh the relief! I started to do more research because the derm I started to see didnt make me feel like he wanted to truly help me, He kinda gave me my walking papers...So next week I will meet with another...I have one on my back now! I see now that a soap or pills can not help this alone and this will be a life style change for me...I will try the dial soap my Benzoyl Peroxide is not working and my topical cream is not working, I will try the tumeric, I will also change my diet drastically...I hope my little girl does not have this, and I only got one on my upper thigh...I dont want any in any other areas in that region...but I did get them inside the checks...of you know where! but I was too embrassed too tell anyone. I thougt I had hemorrhoids. But since I'm African American there's a whole set of rules...The derm said that my hair products are most likely the cause of the cysts, but then how will I do my hair? I feel like I've lost so much of my beauty I used to model...Now I have scars on my breasts...In the folds of my cheeks of you know where...and holes and scars all over my back...I had two kids so my tummy isn't like it was when I was 22. I'm just sad, mad, a bitch some days...most days esp. when I have a cyst, but at least...I'm not alone. I guess I will try more natural hair styles but if anyone has any suggestions, post please...most of the ingredients in African American products have stuff in them that you should stay away from.

I read your post and just wanted to share my suggestions:

Spots and boils represent some form of toxicity/poisons that your body wants to get rid of. Cleansing your body (internally) will help tremendously towards getting your healthy,glowing skin back again. As a simple boost - try having 1 or 2 fresh lemons in a glass of water each morning. Look into doing a colon cleaning programme which has tremendous benefits to skin and overall healh. Eat more raw vegetables and fruits to cleanse,nourish and purify your body. Explore the Hydrogen peroxide blogs -this amazing liquid cleanses your blood and kills bacteria and virus', as well as killing the bacteria when applied (concentration of 3% neatly with a Q-tip) directly to the boil.

In terms of beauty/hair products: cold pressed, raw coconut oil (available in most health food stores) makes an excellent hair oil, which shines,conditions and softens as the same time. It also smells divine.

I hope this helps for now.

After a lot of ineffective medical intervention and trying things that didn't work (Dial soap, Epsom salt soaks, losing weight, etc.), an herbalist finally gave me a simple remedy that has proven incredibly effective for my HS. I have had the condition in mild form for 17 years, but with my first pregnancy, progressed into a more severe stage that left me with debilitating pain, multiple legions that wouldn't stop draining, and nothing that seemed to make a difference. I lost about 60 pounds after the birth of my daughter and started eating healthy, which also didn't help. Once I stopped breastfeeding (you cannot take these herbs while pregnant or breastfeeding), I take one cup of Pau D'Arco and one cup of Red Clover tea daily. Use about 6 oz. of water for each and steep for at least 10 minutes. I saw definite results in about 2 weeks. Daily soaks in dead sea salt baths and Neosporin 3X daily on legions helps them to heal with less scarring, and the teas keep the legions from coming back. Cutting out sugar and white foods cleared it up completely. This has absolutely stymied the condition when nothing else worked and everyone swore nothing would. Give it a try! You can find both teas at your local herbalist or Whole Foods.

In respnse to the lady that has HS and her husband now has it too...I have suffered with HS for 14 years, and i had to diagnose it myself (then my doctor said "oh you are right...UGH). anyway, I recently learned that a friend of mine suffers from what sounded to be a similar condition; however, her doctors did something that mine have NEVER done, which is to culture the bacteria. Turns out that she actually has community-acquired MRSA, which IS contagious. Oddly, my husband had a lesion on his inner thigh a few months ago and "suggested" that I was contagious (jokingly, of course). Now I'm wondering if maybe my problem is CA-MRSA, not HS, and am going to have my dr. culture my wound next time I have a flare-up that becomes severe enough to need his attention. Anyway, just thought that in addition to prior comments, this might be a good thing to have checked out as well in case it is something contagious such as MRSA, since their presentations can sometimes look similar.

I agree with you i was diagnosed with HS about 6yrs ago i have suffered with this for 10yrs i recently moved home and went to a new doctor about something unrelated (i gave up going to doctors about my HS along time ago) anyway i asked my new dc if the present condition could be related to my HS this dr took a swab and sent it away to be cultered the results have just come back today and i actually have MRSA! I'm happy and angry at the same time, that no other dr has ever done this when they have very similar symptoms im just hoping and praying now that the antibiotics i have recived today will put an end to this misery.

I just wanted to say that HS is NOT contagious. I have had HS for 36 years and I was married for 19 years and my husband never once had anything, my doctor also assured me that you can not pass HS so your husband had a different issue going on.

I would have to agree HS is not contagious. My first relationship was 19 yrs in that time I gave birth naturally to two children neither of my children contracted this nor my ex. Current partner for nearly 8 years and he's safe too.

Hi Renee,

I just read your post and felt I had to write. I'm glad your daughter has you to help her. I can hear your sincerity in your desire to help her. I understand because I have a son who is 24, daughter 23 and son 21. (Two more much younger.) When they get older it can be hard because they are "adults" and you have to respect them and yet you want so much to help them too. Anyway, my heart goes out to both of you. The reason I'm writing is because even though I've posted several times about the mini beet protocol, it has led me into a vast storehouse of amazing information from the raw food world and superfood world. I would urge you to look into this as I have seen miraculous things and testimonies from people who were hopeless and turned their lives around. It is full of inspiration which you need right now. Try to find my posts as I talk about it in them. See if you can start by juicing and getting fresh raw vegetables into your diet. That would be a good start. Remember too, the doctors don't have the answers to the healing process. Their knowledge is in drugs and surgery. We must all start taking our bodies back and finding the true answers. You say you have faith in God- well, guess what, God has given us so many ways to be healthy and stay that way from plants and herbs found on our planet. Go on youtube and find David Wolfe and Daniel Vitalis which will then lead you to other very inspiring people- Hulda Clark, Angela Stokes, Gabriel Cousens and more that will turn what we have been told on its head! There is hope, there are answers just do the research- it's all at our fingertips with the internet. I wish you the very best and my thoughts are with you. I have faith that with this knowledge, you could turn all of this around. Lisa

That is terrible to hear, I'm sorry about that. It is very debilitating and definitely affects your self-esteem. It sounds like you already do support her and encourage her to look beyond this, and that's great. I too live with HS. I've had it for 4 years now and can relate to the feeling. I hope she continues with counseling. Best wishes to her and God bless.

I went to a naturopath after suffering from H.S. for the last 20 years (since 6th grade) I found taking a trustworthy brand of antioxidants twice a day with food helped tremendously. I also take Echinacea and Goldenseal and eat a primarily vegetarian and organic diet. More than anything I believe a 12/12 probiotic supplement taken daily to be the most helpful for my HS. Do avoid smoking cigarettes or anything for best results. I plan on taking the turmeric and trying the tea tree oil. I experience the pain and embarrassment of this disease every day whether it's because of the scars or an outbreak. Good luck to all.

For more than 1/2 my life...Re: Post-surgery of the right armpit and beyond. In 2000 I had a cyst removed from my right pit. It was benign, the size of a grapefruit, & was an outpt procedure, Was sent home with drains & Oxy-contin. Detoxed self off that, & came through well with the drains meaning little scarring. 6 mos. later I was to return for the same procedure on the left arm, but refused as the right was beginning to swell again. Hence, SURGERY DOESN'T WORK FOR A SYSTEMIC CONDITION. What does?? Every thing mentioned in this blessed site so far! Especially the ACV-Epsom Salt, & Kosher/Sea Salt. Messy as hell, but very healing. Paper tape as well when draining, as it took me years to find a solution to ripped-off skin. Also, Curry powder which contains Turmeric, at night, but it can stain so be careful. Then, Campho-Phenique after bathing can catch new erupts early and stop them, especially in the groin area. Hot compresses of Golden Seal/Burdock/Slippery Elm herbal tea are also effective, but on thin skin they are indeed painful - had to take several shots of liquor before applying - BUT, 30 YEARS LATER THERE'S BEEN NO RECURRANCE TO THE AREA AT THE TIP OF MY COCCYX BONE. Good luck all, will write back soon...Jessy

Check this link for an explanation of the Elapse remedy. http://www.homeoint.org/books/boericmm/e/elaps.htm Sorry I do not know where you can find it, except that I purchase unusual remedies from my naturopath's clinic. A homeopath's and or naturopath's office should have it or be able to order it for you. Good luck!

The reason (I think) that no one could find Elapse Corralineous is because it is spelled incorrectly. I believe it's Elaps Corallinus, which can be bought online at hmedicine.com. A direct link is: http://www.hmedicine.com/homeopathic/dilutions/D-E/Elaps_Corallinus

I haven't tried this yet (I'm still just new to the turmeric and the ACV/Epsom salt treatments) but I'm going to order some of this stuff off hmedicine and see how it works. I think 200cc a day is what it should take, but you might want to ask a homeopathic doctor to make sure.

Hope this helps!

Homeopathy doesn't use tinctures or remedies full strength unless they cause no bad symptoms.

Chamomile is one remedy that can be used as a tincture as well as diluted. Most remedies are diluted to the point where none of the original substance is in the dilution anymore. Something as powerful as "coral-snake" would be taken in an extremely diluted formulation.

Homeopathy works on the principle that an infinitesimal amount of a substance will cure symptoms that the tincture would cause.

https://homeopathyusa.org/homeopathic-medicine.html

See the Second Principle of Homeopathy

Hi, coralineous refers to coral dwelling species.

Re: hidradenitis suppurativa. I've had the disorder since I was 22 and i'm 30 now. I was just officially diagnosed last year. Long story short i've had an area the size of a mini golf ball near my labia, you can imagine the pain, they have been lanced and drained only to return. It's gotton worse over the years, it started out as one large area on the left labia and now i have areas that affect both sides of my entire groin. Lately i've been cleasing the area with dial antibacterial soap, old fashioned yellow bar. 2 times/day, follwed by a few drops of tea tree oil, i also take 2 300mg tumeric tablets daily. When i feel a flare-up coming i take one alleve which prevents a full blown flare up. I suggest trying a variety of treatments and would advise staying away from antibiotics, they don't work.there are sites which i'm not allowed to name that guarantee a cure that are all natural, i would suggest choosing the one that gives you the ingredients of their product only. Don't let this disorder discourage you. It can be maintained. I can't stress this enough surgery and antibiotic therapy don't work, use natural herbal remedies for this disorder. I've had surgery only for the boil to return in the exact same spot. I'm a rn and i see so many of my patients think that surgery and antibiotics are the only answer. Please continue to research and find natural cures and lifestyle changes that can manage this annoying skin disorder.

I have suffered with Hidradenitis Suppurativa for about 10yrs the doctors constantly cut, drain and pack the absesses and they have also had me on 3 different antibotics daily. well I got a severe reaction to them and decided to try a more natural path and it is working I take the acv/ bs dring daily also soak in the bathtub 2x per day with 1 cup epsom salt and 3 drops tea tree oil one day then the next I use 1 cup of powderd dreft with the 3 drops of tea tree oil I also eat tons of garlic and take lot's of vitamins

my daughter is 9yrs old, she is suffering from painfull boils and swollen lumph in a groin area for the last 2 yrs . dermatologist has told us two months ago that she has Hidradenitis Suppurativa and there is no cure for this disease. she is on anitbioitc but believe me it doesnt help.

few weeks ago i read in a book about " black onion seeds" Tiny and black seeds of the nigella plant. in hindi and urdu it calls [kalonji] if you search on the google you will find more information about it. easily can buy from asian shops or buy online.

believe me her boils and swollen lymp nearly gone now.there is no new boil appear for the last few week. and i also give her turmeric powder as well it helps for wounds definately.

1: half tea spoone of "black onion seeds" with water everyday. before breakfast would be better.
2: turmeric powder,half tea spoone with water any time in a day.
3: drink atleast 8 glass of water.
4: try to eat healthy food and fruits instead of oil or fried food.
i m reffering this email to Charlene from Hope Mills, NC.

please believe on "black onion seeds" and try it ..it should work.atleast try 1 or 2 months.
i would be greatfull if i get a feed back.

i saw my daughter how she suffers and i can understand how much people r in pain ..please try black onion seeds..

thank u very much

I was Diagnosed with hidradenitis July 06. I have had terrible breakouts in the groin area from my bikini area to my anal area. I have tried everything to stop the breakouts, even bathing 3 or more times a day nothing has worked. Recently I went to a local natural food store and read a natural remedy book were it stated Tea Tree oil, pure tea tree oil will take out the staph from boils and soothe the pain. I tried it several times so far so good. It has a scent of eucalyptus and the same drying action like alcohol. So far it works

I tried humira and it did nothing but send my liver function key high. I am willing to try anything to get relief from HS

I suffered from Hidradenitis Suppurativa about 3 years ago, in fact one sore under my arm got to the size of a baseball and my physician did an in office procedure to open it up, and if that did not work I would have had to go to a surgeon for the final draining, fortunately that worked. I swore I would not have that happen again, so I did some research. The problem seems to be linked with a skin surface yeast infection, occurring in the areas that tend to stay moist ( underarms , under the breasts, and around the groin area) so I have taken steps to treat it like a yeast infection with perfect success.

1. Stop using roll on, or stick antiperspirant. the repeated contact while infected only serves to reinfect you when you get clear, plus antiperspirant tends to clog the pores trapping the infection inside. So using a pump spray deodorant such as FDS is much more effective during the treatment.
2. Do not use antibacterial soap it actually kills the naturally occurring good bacteria that helps keep yeast infections in check.
3.Twice daily massage natural live bacteria yogurt on these areas like you would a lotion. (note: use unsweetened,unflavored natural yogurt for this, otherwise it is a sticky mess.)(you can also use an over the counter yeast infection vaginal cream for this if you prefer.)
4. Shower Daily taking care to thoroughly wash, and dry prone areas.
5. start a regimen of turmeric to help cleanse from the inside out.

Do this for 10 days and you can virtually say goodbye to Hidradenitis Suppurativa. I did all this myself and have been clear for 2 years, I have also recommended this to others with the same problem and they have also had excellent results. Even after they have repeatedly had doctors draining their sores and putting them on massive antibiotics for years.They are finally clearing up the problem.

I'll start by saying I was skeptical about taking Borax-but after reading many of the posts here & on other sites-I decided to go for it. I figured worse comes to worse, I'd have an excellent cleaner!

Anyway-I was looking for something to help w/Hidradenitis Suppurativa-which is basically cysts in your armpits, sometimes in groin & under breasts. It's horribly painful & can be embarrassing-especially when they burst. Doctors have no idea what causes it either & is treated w/tetracycline-a strong antibiotic or biologics &/or incisions & draining them.

That doesn't cure it-they come back. And no one should be on tetracycline or biologics all the time!

I started taking 1/8 of a teaspoon dissolved in a bit of warm water right after breakfast.

I started it on Monday-today is Saturday & the cysts are all gone! I'm shocked it worked so quickly!

I'm also an insomniac-I have been since I was a kid-& w/in a couple days I was falling asleep easier & staying asleep! I've been able to go off a couple of OTC meds I was using to fall asleep also in just a couple of days!

I also have fibromyalgia & usually have a flair up a couple times a week-but not this week! I'm knocking on wood that I don't have any more of them-but even if the flare-ups are just lessened it would be great news for me.

FYI-I didn't really have any herxing & I'm hoping I don't-but regardless, I'd continue taking this amazing mineral.

Thank you, Ted, for spreading the news of this natural medicine! You've literally changed my life!

hi, saw your post on Hs and borax. looking for help as my daughter has been diagnosed. if you could reach out I would love to be able to connect with you and get some more insight. thank you!

Hi my daughter was diagnosed with HS. Was wondering if you could give any other info about your experience. How much fish oil? Just trying to find things that might help that's not antibiotics
Thank you!

hi, I am looking for help for my daughter. I am new to all this. found your post to be very interesting. could you give me further tips. would love to connect with someone that has been through this. thank you