I have never heard of that before but thank you for that sharing that as i am going to try that tonight!

Your welcome. :) I hope it works for you!

I have taken espsom salt baths and it does seem to make them feel better I sit in a very warm bath with the water as warm as I can stand. I try to sit in the tub with espsom salt for a least 15 min. This usually helps soften thing up and then the draining starts. This gives some relief.

I never did this with my pilonidal cyst, but it was many years ago. My doc drained mine (which was horribly embarrassing as the ENTIRE office smelled the infection...) but having surgery on it was the best thing...I haven't dealt with it again since.

So glad that you have found some relief for it--I remember how completely debilitating that cyst was!

Thanks guys! :) Yes..it is Horrible! I had one years ago, like 10 years ago....and it's been dormant ever since, but after a long car ride, the bugger returned. It has a bit more to drain but it has definetely softened.

Yes I take high concentration Epsom salt baths for my flare ups and it gives me some pain relief and helps with drainage. I know that the hot bath may as well be the only thing working and not the Epsom salt but the mechanical mechanism of epsom salt is to draw out toxins from your skin ( like reverse osmosis) of some sort. But if it gives you relief there is no harm in it...

Boy, I can sure use a lot of toxins out of this body that is for sure. :) Next time I see one of these buggers, I'm taking out the Epsom salts. (((HUGS))

This is going to sound like a really silly question but as i live in the UK would our Epsom Salts be the same as yours as after talking to my Mum last night i realised we use Epsom Salts for a bad tummy and i know this sounds so odd but thought i would ask? I am still willing to try it but i thought i would see if you guys know before i go ahead and give it a go, thanks x x

Dodd27 Epsom salts here can be used for laxative of your constipated, is that what you mean by upset stomach? They dissolve it in water and drink it. It's magnesium sulfur MgS04, so if the active ingredient is that then your good to go ! But yes some use it for constipation and many other things like even gardening !

Thanks for that Amber Lenna and i will give it a go tonight as having a particular rough time at the moment so i would jump out of a plane if it helped. Here in the UK apart from my Mum i do not know anyone else that has HS and this forum has been like a life line for me. The doctor's didn't even know the name of it until a year or so ago and now seeing a dermatologist in a couple of weeks to hopefully start on Tamoxifen. They don't even give you pain medicaiton or anything, nothing at all i just have to get on with it, i have found so many usefull hints on here though. My very patient other half has never seen so many potions and lotions floating about our house.. ha ha! Thanks for the response x x

"Tamoxifen"? What does that do to help? I am on that right now for my Breast Cancer. I'm not sure it's working though, I am on a trial for a month. My house is full of potions and lotions, too! :) We may as well all be Harry Potter. :) Let me know how the tamoxifen works for you!

I take baths 2 to 3 times a day in epsom salt. I had a horrible pilonidal cyst removed last November and it had to be left open to drain due to infection. So this has helped the draining and healing process. You really need to have that surgically removed because it can make a track really deep and it won't heal. Good luck to you.

Thanks . . . i have like two jars of epsom salt just collecting dust and now I think I will try it even though I prefer showers over baths.

Oh, I don't take baths either, I just put it in a bowl, in hot water, and apply it with a wash cloth. Sitting in water makes me go through the ceiling. I miss my sitz baths. I prefer showers too. :)

To be honest i am not to sure what the Tamoxifen will do as they have not explained that to me as the docs here are not that great at explaining but i am getting together a list of questions for the Derm when i see him. My HS is at its worst during my cycle so i think Tamoxifen does something to the oestrogen and then that might help the HS, that is my thinking anyway after looking on the Internet. I am seeing hopefully in 2 weeks so i will let you know how it goes, i am willing to give anything a go now!