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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Help Dealing with HS in College?

hopeblue21
hopeblue21

Does anyone have any tips or advice on managing and treating active HS areas while living on a college campus in dormitories? I'm 19 and have been dealing with HS for almost six years now and have gotten good at treating my HS, making sure everything is clean, all the normal care you need. But this is a whole different scenario. I'm in a double with someone who has no idea about this disease and using communal bathrooms. There's little privacy and little room to deal with this stuff. 


Right now I'm in the middle of the worst breakout I think I've had in my time here. In addition to some smaller spots, I have a walnut-sized lesion in a place that makes it incredibly painful to sit and I've tried everything I can to shrink it or make it go away. Last time this happened I went to my dermatologist who lanced and packed it for me (thank you) and I was able to recover then, but I don't have that option here. I'm freaking miserable.


If anyone has any advice on things to use or ways you've treated and dealt with HS while living on a college campus, please let me know. 


Much appreciation and support for all of you here. xxx

Montenegrina
Montenegrina
I just recently went to my campus clinic to have a lesion lanced, and it was right on top of my bone tail - literally the worst pain experienced in my life. What I do as treatment once it is there, I mash garlic and put it topically, to help it break itself, but this last time I HAD TO have it lanced, nothing else worked. I only have a flare up once every few years, because I treat it with nutrition as a long term solution. However this Thanksgiving, I had a lot of pizza at night and some dessert during the day, all unhealthy, which is what caused the boil. Read up on autoimmune paleo, that is a longterm solution for most people dealing with HS among other autoimmune diseases.
wforwumbo
wforwumbo
Have you tried benzoyl peroxide gel?

If you haven't, it's over the counter treatment for acne, 2.5% or 5% would be sufficient if you've never used it before. It WILL bleach your clothes/underwear if you put them on straight after (so many ruined panties T^T). Anyway it has helped me clear up some lesions very fast especially if I catch them fast.

Agree with Montenegrina on healthy diet for preventative measures :)
Daery
Daery
you can try also salicylic acid treatment. but firstly, you should go to the dermatologist. while you wait for the visit by the doctor, you can try a healthier diet, fitness exercises, stressful lifestyle and proper sleep. I understand the last two are really hard when you're a student with endless homework and term papers, but in this case, you should try every stuff making easy your life, for example, https://writemyessayonline.com/ at least, you'll have free time and 8h sleep