The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Bianca (Vancouver, Canada) on 07/30/2010:
I have been suffering from HS for over 16 years now and have only recently been diagnosed. I was happy to find out that it actually had a name but disappointed that there is no known treatment. So I checked on here and came across the recommendation of Turmeric. I immediately went and bought pure turmeric powder as well as size "0" vegetable capsules. I fI'lled 100 of them and figured I'd give them a chance. When I started about a week ago, I had three nasty bumps that were rather painful. I took 4 capsules and within an hour the pain was almost gone, I was really surprised. I kept on taking four capsules three times a day and now, after a week, the bumps are completely gone, just a dark spot left were they were. They never healed off this fast before! I have reduced the dose to 3 caps three times a day and am hoping to reduce it to 3 caps once a day over time for maintenance. So far I haven't gotten any new bumps and the older ones are all healed off. This treatment is so amazing! Thank you everyone who recommended it!
It's been awhile since I have been on this site... Mainly because the Turmeric has done miracles for me! My HS is totally under control now. Whenever I get the slightest feeling (so much as an achy lymph node) I drink the turmeric. I have not had one get any bigger than an average small pimple since. I just drink the turmeric until it is totally gone... Usually no more than 3-5 days. Sooooo much better than a whole month!! YAY Turmeric and this site!
i was diagnosed with HS when i was 20 years old but had been dealing with it for a year already. I am now 21 and have had my sweat glands removed from my under arms shortly after they started coming out in my groin.I dealt with them for 5 months in my groin a month ago i came across this website and tried the turmeric i am in the process of healing 100 percent.i buy the turmeric in 5 pound bags for 6 dollars! in any indian market and i buy empty capsules from whole foods size 00 (100 capsules for 3dollars) and i fill them myself i take two pills 3 times a day (morning,afternoon,night) i for a long time thought i was the only one with my condition...for anyone who has gone through or has seen anyone go through this can relate when i tell you it is a pain that is almost intolerable i am so thankful for this website anyone going through it now please stay strong and have faith. there are remedies that work as long as you stick to them hopefully one day there will be a cure. until then me and my boyfriend on sunday nights will be filling up turmeric capusles lol
I have had HS for 23 years although in the beginning years I thought it was boils on inner thighs until diagnosed years later. I tried the gold dial soap which did nothing. I need stock in large bandaids with neosporin with pain relief as I am keeping them in business! It does give some relief on severe painful days (which are many). I next did the turmeric pills. I thought if anything takes some of this pain away it is worth it. Well after using for about 2 weeks, the pain has subsided. No I am not cured but it is now bearable and looks much better. I waited a month to post this to be sure it wasn't wishful thinking on my part. I will continue using this as the pain as I said is almost gone and is very bearable now and I have not needed a bandaid with neo on it..
I have been taking turmeric from the bulk store. I take 1/2 tsp in warm, not hot, 1/2 cup skim milk with 1/2 tsp of honey. I take this daily as maintenance. If for some reason, example, I indulged in chocolate (for me this is a problem) I up the intake of turmeric to 1 tsp in the mixture. I have stayed clear of boils for the better part of a year doing this regime and I recommend it to anyone with the problem. I have suffered with HS since puberty and wish I had known about turmeric from the start. Best wishes with this treatment.
I suffer with HS for 20 years. My disese is on stage III, with fistulas. Someone with fistulas take turmeric. What are the results? I am taking for 20 days, pills 450mg dayly, and few no iprovement yet.EC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fistula
In medicine, a fistula (pl. fistulas or fistulae) is an abnormal connection or passageway between two epithelium-lined organs or vessels that normally do not connect. It is generally a disease condition, but a fistula may be surgically created for therapeutic reasons.
The 3 Stages of Hidradenitis Suppurativa:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidradenitis_suppurativa
HS presents itself in three stages.[2][9]
Stage Characteristics I Solitary or multiple isolated abscess formation without scarring or sinus tracts. (A few minor sites with rare inflammation; may be mistaken for acne.)
II Recurrent abscesses, single or multiple widely separated lesions, with sinus tract formation. (Frequent inflammations restrict movement and may require minor surgery such as incision and drainage.)
III Diffuse or broad involvement across a regional area with multiple interconnected sinus tracts and abscesses. (Inflammation of sites to the size of golf balls, or sometimes baseballs; scarring develops, including subcutaneous tracts of infection - see fistula. Obviously, patients at this stage may be unable to function.)
I have been suffering from HS for 13 years. I have had 5 surgeries in the groin area and 11 surgeries on my tail bone due to pilonidal cyst (almost the same thing as HS, just different location). I found this site today and I went out and bought some Turmeric just to see if it works. I took 1 tablet so far and the pain went away. I also bought some of the kind thats in the spice form and "rubbed" that one my groin and I still feel no pain. I cant wait to see what happens in a week!! I am very excited. Thank you to all the people who have commented on this site and have given suggestions.
I started taking about 1600-2000mg of Turmeric a day for my HS and within two days it started to disappear! It DOES work, but the negative side effect is that no matter what I do and how often I shower.. I REEK of curry. My sweat smells like an Indian restaurant... any suggestions for this?
I have not been diagnosed with HS but from pictures it sure looks like it. It started around my waist when I gained weight about 4 years ago (sweat). I get a lot of boils but if you use tumeric powder they will drain rapidly. My recipe is to use the regular tumeric powder one gets from an India type grocery--very cheap. Then depending on the size of the boil I mix a teaspon of tumeric with a tumeric based cream I found and make a paste. Put some of this on a bandaid and then put over the boil. It will drain the boil within a very short period of time. Instead of the turmeric cream I have also used neosporin with just as good results. The turmeric cream is also cheap---so for about 12 dollars you can eliminate these boils. I would be very surprised if it doesn't work for you.You can then redress the boil to drain it further and when totally drained you are done with the turmeric.
I also recently started taking turmeric internally by mixing a couple of teaspoons with about 6-8 ounces of tomato juice, some pepper and sometimes cayenne and lemon. Much more palitable that way. I am not sure yet if it is decreasing the boil outbreaks but the topical therapy once a boil starts really does the trick.
My wife suffers from HS. She has had multiple surgeries to remove large sections of her arm pits and was having constant large boils that required medical lancing to relive the pressure and pain. I read about Tumeric and using a natural based deoderant. She was skeptical at first but after my insisting she started taking the tumeric. I believe it was about 500-600mg twice a day. In addition, she started using the Natural Deoderant, and in about 2 weeks her golf ball sized inflammation was completely gone. She had the start of 3-4 more boils that had the potential to be just as large and all were gone.
Since the surgeries, my wife would have at least 2 to 3 open sores under her arms at any given time, they would just never heal. Since taking tumeric and switching to the natural deoderant they have completely healed. My wife can not remember a time when her arm pits were this clear, she is currently in complete remission of HS and able to live pain free. (And, as anyone with HS will tell you, the smell from open wounds is not that pleasent either)
I normally don't write into websites like this, but I had to spread the word about Tumeric. I don't understand what it does, but it seems to work to counteract HS from what I have read.
I have just founf this website (thank goodness because I was running out of the pills that were prescribed to me by my doctor and I no longerhave any health insurance to get more) I just started the Tumeric yesterday. So far everytime I take it my groin area where I have the biggest problem right now starts to burn so bad and I cant move. IS this suppposed to happen is this natural. Also I have a question about taking the powder tumeric in a capsule how much a day works the best or can you take as much as you like. I really appreciate this site with some new inforamtion because I was getting to the point where I Was just goign to give up.
I have been taking Turmeric powder for about a week now to treat my H.S. It has been fabulous!!! It's also clearing my acne as well. The taste may take a little getting used to but it's all worth it. I take 1 tsp three times a day with 1/4 cup of warm water.
H.S. Wow, I came on here looking for answers because the Dr's sure don't have any. I used the turmeric and it really worked, it worked so well that I didn't have ANY bumps and I forgot to take the turmeric for a couple of days...... I paid for that, I got 6 bumps. I'm back on the Turmeric and they went away, so I know for sure it works, now I'm just waiting on something to cure it for good.
First, let me tell you that this site has become one of my favourites and has helped me get back in touch with my affinity for folk remedies. Thank you for that!
Yesterday evening, I tried the Turmeric Tea recipe that Anna from Union County, NJ, shared. It tasted so much better than I thought it would, it's actually delicious! I like drinking warm milk before bedtime :D More importantly, only one large cup of this tea already reduced a boil in my armpit to half its size overnight. It also doesn't hurt any longer. I stopped using commercial deodorants about a year ago, because I kept getting awful boils under my armpits and suspected the aluminium in deodorant to cause these. Used green clay compresses, but they only work temporarily and the boils kept returning. I also get boils on my breasts - horribly painful and embarrassing.
I'm absolutely amazed at how quickly the Turmeric had an effect! Thank you, Anna, and thank you, EC!
EC: Anna's Recipe:
09/06/2007: Anna from Union County, NJ writes: "Turmeric truly is the cure for boils. I have been struggling with boils for over 10 years! I have been to countless doctors and dermatologists for this embarrassing and painful ailment to no avail. I stumbled upon this website and tried it. When I saw a huge difference in 48 hours, I cried. Thank You.
Here is a turmeric tea recipe that is truly delicious, from Yogi Bhajan, founder of the Yogi Tea brand INGREDIENTS:
* 1 tsp turmeric powder * 4 cups water * 1 cup milk (soy or dairy) * 2 tbsp almond oil * liquid sweetener, to taste, optional (honey, agave, maple syrup)
PREPARATION: Bring water to a boil and add turmeric. Allow to simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring to make sure the turmeric is fully dissolved. Reduce heat, add milk and oil and stir well. Add sweetener if desired and enjoy!
This just shows how we should look to Mother Earth a little more often instead running to a physician.
Also, instead of using Neosporin on those nasty things, a little manuka honey and vitamin E salve goes a long way."
I'm so glad to have found this site. This disease can make you feel so alone. But I am lucky to have supportive people in my life. I have had HS on my groin for 10 years. I was on spirolactone 10mg 2x aday for the last 4 years and had surgery 2 years ago. Things were in check until I decided to go off the meds to try to have a baby. 7 months later and I have the worse and the most painful outbreak ever and never did get pregnant. The doctor gave me antibotics and the lump went down but not alot. My lumps do not usually burst and drain. I try to get some fluid out but I barely got any this time. The fluid seems buried under the skin. I want to try the tumeric remedy but I need to know if it is safe to take while still trying to conceive. Thanks for the advice.
Turmeric cure for Hidradenitis suppurative: I have been taking 3 tsps of Turmeric in water 3 times a day for 29 days now. I have had Hydradenitis Suppurativa for many years. I had 2 cysts on my bottom for many months that would always be there but would flair up often. a month ago 1 of them was the size of a baseball and the other a golf ball. In much pain for a long time, i found this site. Thank God! Anyway, I have been drinking Turmeric for a month now and they are almost gone completely (except the scarring and bruising). 1 is completly flat and I can feel No bump and the other is the size of a pea now. I was wondering How Long Should I take this...Can I take it forever? Should I? Is it ok for me? Thanx in advance 4 advice.
I have been taking 3 tsps of Turmeric in water 3 times a day for 29 days now. I have had Hydradenitis Suppurativa for many years. I had 2 cysts on my bottom for many months that would always be there but would flair up often. a month ago 1 of them was the size of a baseball and the other a golf ball. In much pain for a long time, i found this site. Thank God! Anyway, I have been drinking Turmeric for a month now and they are almost gone completely (except the scarring and bruising). 1 is completly flat and I can feel No bump and the other is the size of a pea now. I was wondering How Long Should I take this...Can I take it forever? Should I? Is it ok for me? Thanx in advance 4 advice
Tumeric for Hidradenitis suppurativia: 1/4 tsp. of tumeric taking in foods or i cup of boiling water with a little honey will shrink the lesions..and take the pain away...
Absolutely amazing! I started getting HS symptoms when I was 11, when it was ALL OVER my body and spent the next 12+ years jumping from doctor to doctor, diagnosis to theory, hormone supplements to diets, allergy tests to (five years on) antibiotics before I said to myself 'bad skin is not worth all this.' I have had to just put up with it for the last few years and it has seemed to be confined to certain areas (buttox, face, underarms) but a month ago it came back so viciously that I turned to the internet for help.
I found this site and the Tumeric/anti-bacterial soap solution and it worked like nothing else has! I was so amazed - I have been adding the tumeric to my cup of tea every morning, minus the milk, plus a teaspoon of sugar for taste, and it ever tastes great! (just don't chew on the powder at the bottom). It even got rid of one that has been plaguing my chin for over 3 months now (and has left a huge scar). I couldn't believe how quickly it dried up!
Thank you so much!
One question though; how long do I have to take it for? Is this a lifetime thing? Is this an everyday thing? Won't my body become used to it eventually (like so many remedies before)?
H.S. i have been using turmeric and im very thankful for this site because this is where i first got the idea of using turmeric a few months back. im clear right now and has been so ever since i started using turmeric. im drinking powder put in a soft rice wrapper (because i tried taking it with warm water and i could not stand it). also, the last time i had a boil i used crushed ginger with castor oil as instructed by one of the sufferer in this forum too and it does work. thanks so much! it changed my life too a lot. i was very depressed and this gave me real hope and a new light! goodluck to everyone!
I don't normally take the time to post comments on web sites but I must share my results using Turmeric. I have suffered from Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the groin area for fifteen years. My doctors have tried everything from antibiodics to accutane to surgery and nothing has helped me (I've got the scars to prove it). Two weeks ago, one of my abcess' finally put me in the emergency room, where I had an allergic reaction to an antibiodic drip they gave me. That's when I decided to go off all of my medicine and do my own research on Hidradenitis Suppurativa. I came across this site, read all of the positive feedback about Turmeric from other Hidradenitis Suppurativa sufferers, and figured I've got nothing to lose. The day I started taking Turmeric I had two active abcess. One on my inner thigh that was open (you know, the kind you have to put a band aid on because it just leaks and leaks) and one on my inner buttock area that never drained. It just stayed large and turned purple and was very painful. Within two days the boil on my buttock went from purple to pink (that's never happened before) and receeded and within a week the open boil on my thigh was healed over. I have never had any of my abcess' heal this quickly. Even my husband said he couldn't believe how quickly I was healing. This weekend, I actually worked outside in the heat in jeans without having to wear band aids! Those of you who suffer from this disease know how horrifying that can be.
I am following up to confirm all who have been writing about boils and HS. I've had the affliction for almost 2 years in the groin region. After discovering this site, I swear by the Turmeric ____; washing the affected area twice daily with ___soap; using tea tree oil as an antiseptic and an ointment to soothe the skin after. When there is an attack, I take Alleve for the swelling/pain and use hot compresses (if necessary) to help w/ drainage. I am a very active person who is a spinning enthusiast so you can imagine how this was affecting me prior. I also use hypoallergenic bandaids to avoid irritation from the normal adhesive after draining. Although this is incurable, I can live a pretty normal life now. Good luck to all.
Thank you for this website! After years of suffering, I FINALLY know what to do to prevent/cure my HS. I cannot believe I went to doctors for YEARS, paid big bucks for useless antibiotics, paid out of pocket at times to have the darn things lanced...when all the while a spice from the grocery store was all I needed. I am soooo excited to have found this! It took just over one day of the turmeric-water remedy, and now...sweet relief!!! I feel like I have hope again. Traditional medicine's outlook on HS is so bleak (no idea what causes it, no known cure). But natural medicine saves the day. Yea!
I came across this website while i was doing research for alternate remedies for my HS.. I had been in alot of pain and really didnt like being on antibotics (b.c they DONT work) Anyways.. I went to my local pharmacy which carries homopathic remedies and picked up turmeric. It is AMAZING the difference. My HS isnt completly gone but it might as well be for the difference it made. i do not get large painful cysts anymore, mostly just small acne like ones with minimal pain. If i do get a larger cyst they do not tract anymore and come to a head sooner so I can lance it with immediate releif. I have also been using a tea tree oil topically... THANK YOU for your site and your remedies.. I have been virtually pain free for a month, longer then i have ever been in almost 20 years
I have Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). It is a pus-producing and debilitating skin condition that causes large infected boils on the neck, breasts, armpits, abdomen, buttocks and groin areas. They can grow together and also form a tunnel called a "sinus tract". It sounds like what some of you may have. I was self-diagnosed after doctors didn't know what is was & still didn't after informing them. Their treatment was years of antibiotics which didn't work, by-the-way because in most cases, the pus is sterile. I went online and searched for a Natural/Holistic treatment and found Turmeric. I took as directed ( 1 teaspoon in a cup of warm water 10-15 minutes before breakfast & dinner for 3 days). I felt results in hours - not days. I felt better overall. In 3 days all of my golf ball sized areas on my neck, breasts, underarms ans sinus tract disappeared, along with the terrible deep-purple scars that HS leaves. I went back to my dermatologist 6 months later and they could not believe I was the same person. I have told my HS Support Group Members about it and they, too, have been successful into putting their condition into remission. I have been in remission for 7 months now. For some reason, the capsules do not seem to have the same effects and affects as the powder in warm water, though.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Thanks to everyone for the Turmeric remedy. i tried that for just one week and everything started clear up. This really works! Thank you!
Hidradentis sufferers do try the Tumeric. The pain and irritation was driving me crazy. I read the comments on this site and ran to the local grocery store. The taste was not bad at all. I drank one cup that evening and when I woke up the swelling had come down along with the pain. I continued to drink it twice a day for two days and I was amazed at how my underarms started clearing up. I was so afraid to wear deodorant so after started applying a dry mixture of baking soda and corn starch. I now soak in an all natural detox bath and wipe the armpits with dilluted apple cider vinegar. THESE ARE INEXPENSIVE REMEDIES THAT WORK AND THEY ARE ALL NATURAL.
I Have HS [Hidrandenitis Suppurativa] I'm relly scared, I've been dealing with boils under my arms for about two months now. I hd surgery 1/25/08. The doctor left the staples in two long and the area was tender and swollen. I started the turmeric and it help with new boils. However I'm itching all over, it may be that I'm so scared. I started some natural meds (colliadal silver) does anyone know if this causes itching. I so scared I just got another boils on my elbow but the same arm where I had surgery on the boils. My arm pits look horrible. I want to cry. Tell me what can help me. Especialy the itching.
Since I was a teen, I've fought with boils. Then I was diagnosed with Hidradenitis Suppurativa about a year ago. My doctor simply gave me the diagnosis and left the room, giving me no information whatsoever. I resolved that I would find a way to at least ease living with this disease. I started looking around and that is when I came upon your site. I tried the turmeric cure and it works! I also had a bit of trouble with sores remaining after a boil would drain. I mixed a little turmeric with honey and applied it as a salve. It heals up in no time! Thanks to all of you, this site changed my life!
14 years of suffering over: I suffered from a very bad case of Hidradentits Supprativa, under both armpits and all over my buttocks. I have been in for surgery. It came back and i thought i was giong to have this with me the rest of me life. I would get flare up 2-3 andsometimes 4 times a year. Very very painful. When i get flare ups ther would grow sometimes the size of a orange. Nothing seemed to help. Until I fond this site. I am proof that Turmeric (1 teaspoon )in a glass of warm water is nasty. Not as nasty as having a zit the size of Texas under your underarm. In closing I want to Thank-You for providing this information.
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