Hidradenitis Suppurativa Support Group

Hidradenitis suppurativa (hi-drad-uh-NIE-tis sup-yoo-ruh-TIE-vuh) is rare, long-term skin condition that features small, painful lumps under the skin. The disease manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, sometimes as large as baseballs, that are extremely painful to the touch and may persist for years with occasional to frequent periods of inflammation,...

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What do you do?

photographer17
photographer17
So I got a new bump forming on my breast and another one that just drained. How should I dress them? Do you guys have specific ways you deal with a new bump or do you leave it be? Not to be gross but is it better if I wear a sports bra? I want them to breathe but I need to wear a bra. These are the first on my breasts in 7 years so I'm kinda freaking out. Thank you.
tulip76
tulip76
Not to be too chummy but where are they located? I get them under the crease of my breasts, back towards my armpits, and sometimes on the sides of my breasts almost to the top. The location makes a difference in how I dress them and whether I wear a bra, because it changes whether or not they need to be shielded from rubbing, you know?

I suppose depending on the size and location I play it by ear. However most often when they open I cover them with antibiotic ointment and a folded piece of sterile gauze (for absorption, to protect from rubbing, and because it's thicker provide a little bit of pressure) for a day or two. I find I have to change it every few hours. After that they seem to close up better if I leave them uncovered. It helps though if I can go bra-free around the house for a day or so to help them close, if they are in a spot where my bra rubs.
photographer17
photographer17
They are on the bottom part of my breast directly under my nipple. I mostly wear sport bras because they are comfy and I don't get out much. So I think my bra is rubbing against it. What ointment do you use?
tulip76
tulip76
I just use Neosporin. I have no idea if it helps or not but it makes me feel like I'm doing something!

If they're kind of on the front I'd think you're better off covering them, even with just a band-aid where they're open, for a day or two. You're right the fabric will rub.

Hope it clears soon!
sarahbrave
sarahbrave
I don't use anti-biotic ointment. It tends to cause the top layer of the wound to heal over without healing the layers underneath. So it just comes back.

I wash with hibiclens to disinfect. Then wear something super breathable, made of cotton. If you're seeping then you can put a sterile cotton pad between the wound and your bra.

Also, I find I heal best if I keep the area as dry as possible. So after I shower I pat the area dry with a soft cloth (I use dish towels, the ones that are like flour sacks?), then to be sure I go lay under a fan for like 10 minutes drying the area further. Or I blow dry it on cool.

Then throughout the day if you're seeping, change the bandage every few hours.

Also...if you're having a breakout you can try supplements. Tumeric, zinc, cayenne pepper capsules. Also green tea with lemon. And tons and tons of water.