HS or Hidradenitis suppurativa is a very painful condition of the skin. It is a debilitating and inflammatory skin disease, which is often known as acne inversa. Though not every people aware of this, but Hidradenitis suppurativa affects about 4 per cent of the populace each year. If you suffer from from this skin condition, then you can try these home remedies for Hidradenitis suppurativa to treat it effectively.
The condition is characterized by red bumps on the skin and plenty of blackheads. It is a long-term skin condition, and the red bumps that are its most common symptoms are often itchy and render a burning sensation. The bumps, usually, have a tendency to grow in size. Eventually, they break open, resulting in the drainage of pus. The condition often repeats itself, which causes scars all over the affected area.
While regular acne develops evidently or the back, Hidradenitis suppurativa develops in places that skin touches skin. The most common areas where you might develop HS are, the underarms, buttocks, breast, legs and groin.
Cause of Hidradenitis suppurativa
According to Mayo Clinic,
“Hidradenitis suppurativa develops when hair follicles become blocked and inflamed. No one knows exactly why this blockage occurs. Factors that may play a role include hormones, metabolic syndrome, genetics, an irregular defense mechanisms response, smoking and excess fat.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is not caused by an infection and can’t be transmitted sexually. It’s not contagious and is not due to poor hygiene.”
Home remedies for Hidradenitis suppurativa
Here are the top 10 home remedies to treat your hidradenitis suppurativa.
1. Keep your Area Dry
The first remedy is an extremely simple but highly effective one. Keeping the affected region dry is important so that the condition doesn't worsen. You need to be very careful about keeping the are moisture-free.
Added to this, you also need to maintain a proper hygiene, if you want to avert flare-ups.
For the remedy, you need to first wash the affected region using lukewarm water. Do that gently. Now with an antibacterial soap, clean the region. Do not rub hard as it might cause aggravations. After you have cleaned the region thoroughly, you need to pat it dry using a clean but soft washcloth or towel. Now apply some antibiotic powder, which is available in most drugstores or beauty stores. The powder will soak up any moisture that might be there despite you drying the region with a cloth.
The other hygienic measures that you need to take include, taking a bath daily. Additionally you need to change your inner garments every single day, and after you use the bathroom, make sure to dry your genitals ad your buttocks with toilet paper.
To ensure the affected skin isn't further irritated, you need to stop using deodorants. You might like to consult your dermatologist about what type of antiperspirant to use.
If you swim, you will want to avoid the activity for as long as it takes for your skin condition to improve.
2. Warm Compress
The next remedy on our list is warm compress. It'll allow you to soothe the affected area. The swelling, which is a common symptom related to Hidradenitis suppurativa, is also treated by warm compress.
However, make sure to only use dry warm compress, as wet compresses can make things worse.
For the remedy, begin by filling a glass bottle with warm water. Now you need to wrap this bottle with a soft, clean, and dry towel. Place this wrapped bottle on the affected area and hold for around 10 minutes. You need to repeat this for several times through the day to speed in the recovery.
You should not use a naked bottle for compress. Always wrap it inside a towel first. Also, do not use the compress on the red bumps as they might rupture.
If you are with child, or have diabetes, you should avoid this remedy. The same applies to people with hypertension and poor blood flow.
3. Turmeric
The next remedy on our list, turmeric, is a great antiseptic herb. It is amazing at healing lesions as well as bumps. Since turmeric is anti-inflammatory, it also helps reduce the swelling, pain and all sorts of other symptoms that are related to HS.
For the remedy, you need to start by mixing a little olive oil with a tablespoon of turmeric powder. You can also use coconut oil in place of olive oil. Now apply the paste in your affected areas, and leave it on for about half an hour. Now wash them back and pat absolutely dry. You have to repeat the remedy at least two times a day for a couple of weeks.
The net choice is to mix turmeric powder in some organic honey and 4 teaspoons of unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Now add this mix right into a glass of lukewarm water. You have to drink this mixture thrice a day for at least a week.
4. Bleach Baths
Try a bleach bath to treat your HS. A bleach bath is extremely effective on symptoms associated with Hidradenitis suppurativa. Not just HS, bleach baths treat a variety of kinds of bacterial infection. Before taking this bath, however, talk to your dermatologist.
For the remedy, take 4 cups of lukewarm water, and to it, add 1/3 teaspoon of 2.2 per cent of household bleach. Remember to stir the mix thoroughly. Add this for your bathing water, and soak yourself inside it. Make sure to keep your head above this water. Soak yourself for around 15 minutes and then cleanse yourself with lukewarm water. Remember to pat yourself dry with neat and soft washcloth.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Anti-fungal and antibiotic, essential tea tree oil, is a great remedy against Hidradenitis suppurativa. This is because it reduces the number of bacteria which is within the pus usually. The bacteria is exactly what produces the foul smell in the pus.
You should not use undiluted tea tree oil as it might further irritate your skin.
For the remedy, you need to take two tablespoons of olive oil and add to it several drops of essential tea tree oil. Now apply this mix onto your affected skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Now wash the area with lukewarm water and pat dry having a clean and soft towel.
You need to repeat this remedy two times a day for the best results.
6. Aloe Vera
A natural home remedy that treats HS effectively due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory factors properties. Natural aloe-vera also prevents the growth of microorganisms.
Begin by extracting some fresh gel from an aloe vera leaf. Now apply this gel in your affected areas. You need to massage for a while. Let it dry on its own.
You should repeat the remedy thrice a day for a week or two until the condition improves.
7. Rubbing Alcohol
Use rubbing alcohol, that is a powerful disinfectant. It can help treat HS by taking out the dirt that is likely to be contained in the hair follicles causing the clogging from the pores.
The symptoms of pain and swelling is also cured by rubbing alcohol.
Do not use the rubbing alcohol on open wounds.
For the remedy, you have to dip a clean cotton ball in some rubbing alcohol and dab it around the affected areas of your skin. You need to leave it on for about half an hour. Now wash the area with lukewarm water. You have to apply some aloe vera gel on the affected area.
You need to repeat the remedy two times a day for at least a week.
8. Honey
Try honey to treat your Hidradenitis suppurativa. What makes honey a great remedy? Well, it is anti-biotic, anti-bacterial, and its soothing properties offer comfort to the irritated skin.
For the remedy, you need to soak a clean ball of cotton right into a small cup of honey and use the honey on the affected areas. Let it rest on for about 20 minutes, after which wash off with lukewarm water, and pat it dry with a clean soft washcloth.
When to see a doctor
According to Mayo Clinic,
“Early detection of hidradenitis suppurativa is essential to getting effective treatment. See your doctor if your condition:
- Is painful
- Doesn’t improve in a few weeks
- Returns within weeks of treatment
- Appears in several locations
- Recurs often
If you’ve already received an analysis of hidradenitis suppurativa, keep in mind that the warning signs of a disease flare (recurrence) are often similar to those that occurred originally. Also pay attention to any new signs or symptoms. These may indicate either a recurrence or a complication of treatment.”
That is we have on today's post on home remedies for Hidradenitis suppurativa. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to others too? For those who have some remedies that you would like to share with us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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