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,...
I was a member a long time ago, I can't get my old account to reset the password. But I wanted to come back and share what's been happening and what has COMPLETELY changed everything for me.
I stopped all dairy. Completely. I went all crazy reading labels and questioning waiters in restaurants about ingredients. And it's taken about 2-3 months, but I went from constant breakouts with a couple of places that never healed and just wept all the time, to NO lesions.
None. Not a single one anywhere. I usually get them under my arms, between my legs, on my butt, and sometimes in my vaginal area inside. I had 2 open ones, one in my arm pit and one on the inside of my leg, and multiple places in each area either forming, ready to pop, or draining all the time. I've only had tunnels 1-2 times before. I've been lucky they would EVENTUALLY heal.
For the past month there have been none. I THINK one tried to form on my leg, around my time of the month, but I can't be sure because it was the size and shape of a regular zit people get on their faces. Not painful, there one day and gone the next.
I wasn't sure if it was the dairy, or other dietary changes I have made. Little to no simple carbohydrates at all, very little fried food, all mostly grilled stuff and vegetables. No sodas, not even diet. Just water. Still drinking alcohol though.
But this past weekend I went on vacation to New Orleans. And I ate butter. A couple of different times. That's it. I didn't eat a ton of sugar, still lots of good protein and vegetables.
And now I have 2 spots. Maybe 3. One in my vaginal area, one on my rear end, maybe one in my armpit trying to form.
So because I ate dairy on Saturday and Sunday, on Tuesday I'm breaking out. I think that's confirmation that I have a dairy allergy.
And I know people have said many times on here about dietary changes, but I didn't listen because they were so hard to make. But I'm a believer now. For sure.
I have also cut out most simple carbs the last few weeks, so I basically follow a paleo diet. It's just hard when traveling or going out with friends. But completely worth it. I'm rarely tempted now, I just remember how painful the lesions are and a bite of cheesecake is not worth it.