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,...
Well, I was officially diagnosed with H.S., although I've had 9 infections in just under two years around my groin. She referred to it as "an abnormality in the hair follicles". She said the boils or staph infections are a "secondary infection" caused by the abnormality. My brother and mom also get them. I would imagine that staph has to be present in order for the infections to begin.
My greatest success has been with using hibiclens. I didn't get any for 6 months, then I stopped using it and had a break out. I started up again using it again every day on the area until the breakout was gone and now use it every other day.
I also had my first laser hair treatment (full brazilian). My derm said it would help, although might make it worse before it gets better. Well, my first treatment did not cause any flare-up (made sure to keep the area clean with hibiclens) and I haven't had any all summer. I am going to continue these treatments (I got a cheap groupon) and hope to see continued improvement.
I also started taking probiotics. I have heard it can help skin problems- with all the antibiotics I've been on the last couple of years I feel like all the good bacteria in my gut has probably been wiped out!
My greatest success has been with using hibiclens. I didn't get any for 6 months, then I stopped using it and had a break out. I started up again using it again every day on the area until the breakout was gone and now use it every other day.
I also had my first laser hair treatment (full brazilian). My derm said it would help, although might make it worse before it gets better. Well, my first treatment did not cause any flare-up (made sure to keep the area clean with hibiclens) and I haven't had any all summer. I am going to continue these treatments (I got a cheap groupon) and hope to see continued improvement.
I also started taking probiotics. I have heard it can help skin problems- with all the antibiotics I've been on the last couple of years I feel like all the good bacteria in my gut has probably been wiped out!
I wax regularly to remove all hair.
I use Hibiclens once a week - it started every other day but I found it too drying and it irritated my skin, so we swapped to some oral antibiotics and Hibiclens soaks once a week
I use plain yogurt applied topically in the shower when I'm not doing Hibiclens.
The idea is (according to my derm) to kill off some of the problem bacteria and recolonize the area with good bacteria, plus removing the hair will help reduce moisture and friction that could cause breaks in the skin.
It has been very effective for me. I now only get sores when I have my period, and then only one or two. I used to have several of them constantly and was covered in scars. I've been extremely pleased with this therapy.