The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Burdock Root
Posted by Michelle (Chicago, IL) on 03/21/2009
★★★★★
Hidradenitis Suppurativa cure:
one thing that can cure your Hidradenitis Suppurativa is Burdock root. Take Burdock root for 3 months ( 3 times daily) and then stop for 3 months, then repeat... you will not have any problems anymore. Eat lots of read meat ( Burdock may lower iron), lots of fatty fish, limit dairy (once again because of iron absorption) and fruit + vegies. WORK OUT A LOT
Laugh a lot
live well
Michelle
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Evelyn (Brevard, NC) on 03/17/2009
Hi, I had HS for 25 yrs or more. Didn't have name for it until 8 yrs ago. Try many different things, nothing work. I use dial (bar) anti-septic soap but sometimes in the summer, I use liquid soap and mix with tea tree oil. It cheaper than buy it at the health food stoe. The only thing I found to help with the pain is Emla, it a cream I get from my doctor, it has lidocaine & prilocaine. It come in genertic, also. Use it only on my real ones. Help to numb the pain some! Also use a Draw Out Salve to help bring it to surface. It main ingredent is green soap. Hope these suggestions might help! Ev.
H.S. Dressings
Posted by Chris (Ballarat, Australia) on 03/02/2009
★★★★☆
What a wonderful site! I have suffered with HS for 35 years now. Doctors are useless in treating this condition, its just antibiotics or very scary medication that I refused to take, because it was just too damaging (anything that causes massive birth defects in babies should you fall pregnant within 2 years of just taking 1 tablet can't be good!!)
I have them under my armpits where I've had 4 operations over the years to get the rotten things removed, but they always come back. I also have them in the groin and buttocks. Mine have recently changed form however, they have decided to come out as small boils all over my body now, naturally of course, doctors put me on antibiotics (I think its high time somebody out there in the medical world did some research on this condition, more and more people are developing it, yet nobody knows anything about it or how to cure it).
Anyhow, I thought I'd mention a product that I've used on my pustules for draining them. It may help someone out there, I've found it very effective for drawing the contents of them out once they burst. The name of the dressing is Allevyn. It comes in an adhesive and non adhesive variety. It can be awkward at times to cover a boil, depending on where it is (if its a groin one in the crease, I usually find the non adhesive handy, they can be placed over it and undies hold it in place). The adhesive is good if you get them on flat areas, like thighs or tummies. A GP put me onto this product, they use it to dress ulcers on the legs to drain out the infection.
Experimentation is the key, I sometimes use the non adhesive with some sticking plaster to hold it in place. Anyhow, if you tend to suffer when they break open with that awful smelly gunk that comes out of them, these dressings will drain all that awful muck out, which I find makes me feel alot better. These dressings are designed to be left in place for 2 or 3 days though, so you don't have to replace them daily, unless necessary. But I'm definitely going to try this turmeric remedy, it sounds marvellous.
My prayers to you all fellow HS sufferers. Its a rotten disease, a life destroying disease and its about time somebody did some research on HS. We need to know why we have it and what can cure it. In my 35 years of suffering from it, surgery is still the only option and its anything but permanent!!! That's just plain sad...
Mercurius Vivus (Homeopathic)
Posted by Ana (Las Vegas, NV) on 02/19/2009
Mercurius Vivus as a HS remedy:
I was diagnosed with HS about 5 years ago. I've tried just about everything you could imagine to keep it "in check" since there is supposedly no cure. I've had them lanced, surgically removed, month after month of antibiotics, special soaps and salt baths, etc...I recently found a homeopathic site that mentioned the use of Mercurius Vivus as a remedy. Has anyone heard of this? I've gone to several sites looking for infomation on this but they all seem to say the exact same thing. Nothing about side effects (since we all know mercury can be toxic). I know most homeopathic treatments use such small amounts of these compounds that there is very little chance of adverse reactions but...
It sounds like it could work. I bought the pills from the Seacoast Vitamin site; they are very inexpensive, but I would still like to know the pros or cons of taking them before I start the interesting regimen. (dissolve 5 pills under your tongue 3 times a day until condition resolves) I thought that was different. :) Thanks in advance for any help. Everyone hang in there; we are definitely not alone in this.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Linda (Fremont, Michigan) on 02/17/2009
★☆☆☆☆
I have been diagnosed with HS and am greatful for all the comments out here--I will try the dial soap and tumeric, These sores are very painful ---I am currently changing my diet and dropping caffeine. Right now I could drink a whole pot of coffee--lol. Thanks for your help. I have tried colloidal silver, but nothing changed. Thanks Linda
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Sarah (Brisbane, Australia) on 02/11/2009
Hi - just reading the above comment on your husband getting cysts similar to HS.
I've been an HS sufferer for many years now but this message rang an alarm bell as my husband is a testicular cancer survivor. PLEASE get the doctor to check his cysts to make sure it is not testicular cancer.
The doctor will be able to see right away if the cyst is a tumour or not.
HS is NOT contagious and his problem is unrelated so please don't feel guilty that you have given him something - you haven't.
I can't stress enough how common testicular cancer is in men or the necessity to have any lumps in the area checked. TS is a VERY fast cancer, but also one of the most survivable if you catch it fast.
Medications
Posted by Reena (East Hanover, NJ) on 02/06/2009
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
antibiotics and cortisone shots to the infected area only help somewhat - no cure exists (had it 46 years) I've been cut and had drains on and off for 46 years - I have found that washing with TRIAZ (a prescription liquid soap) works in fighting the bacteria that flourishes in the groin and armpit areas - the only natural remedy that helps me is the ocean and sun - thanks for all the info in this website.
Omega Oils
Posted by DJ (Pensacola, FL) on 01/30/2009
★★★★★
I went through a period where I was getting genital boils or pimples that would be very painful and sometimes had to be lanced. I began to get them with ever increasing frequency until finally I was getting them every 2-3 weeks. They would take 7-10 days to develop and resolve and I would be relieved only to get a new one within a short time. That made it kind of difficult to work and I used up a lot of vacation time and annoyed my employers. The gynecologist thought I had something called hydradenitis suppurativa. My dermatologist agreed. There was no real treatment, so they said.
Looking it up on the internet I found lots of painful stories but not much help to be had. I did come across a doctor's explanation to a poster, though, that I would remember later. The doctor said that the problem was that the oil in the hair follicles was too thick and was clogging up the pores because the poster was not getting enough essential oils. That made no sense to me so I forgot about it. Later, at the height of my boil problems I decided that losing weight would help so I started the Atkins diet program. If you do it right, you take their supplementary oil capsules - esential fatty acids, ie. Omega Oils. I did that. After a period of months, I suddenly realized that I had not had a boil in a long time and I remembered that doctor's comment. Eventually I stopped the diet and stopped taking the oils. The boils came back. I started taking the oils again - they went away.
Connecting the dots, I now make sure that I supplement with Omega oils regularly and that keeps the little beasties away. If I get one, which is rare now, I usually realize that I haven't been taking my oils again and when I restart, they disappear. We need these essential fatty acids anyway for other reasons so why not? To me, it seems a reasonable trade and a very easy cure for a tough problem that I have discovered is a lot more common among women than I would have expected.
Turmeric, Tea Tree, Dial
Posted by Sylvie (Ottawa, Canada) on 01/16/2009
★★★★★
I came to your site for info. again this autumn for alternative treatments for HS. For 32 yrs I tried every thing with NO long term success.At that point I was considering a 5th operation, for a year or two of relief. But now I can be hopeful!! For 0ne month now I 've been taking: TURMERIC (in # 2caplets /4 to 6 a day/ also in foods I eat ) TEA TREE OIL ( apply twice a day ) and DIAL soap BAR Gold (wash 2x a day). The improvement is amazing!
Thanks to sufferers coming on line and sharing with others, I can start to feel hopeful again...
Other things that help me but are not a "cure " Epson salts to soak, drinking lots of water, staying away from processed foods, chocolate, cafeine,alcool...But for me, stress/ sweating and tight clothes are the 3 main triggers.
Hope I can help someone ...
PS If anyone can tell me where in CANADA I can buy Dial Gold BARS I would appreciate this info./ had to order from US.
Reader Comments
Posted by Amber (Antigua, Guatemala) on 01/12/2009
I read your post and just wanted to share my suggestions:
Spots and boils represent some form of toxicity/poisons that your body wants to get rid of. Cleansing your body (internally) will help tremendously towards getting your healthy,glowing skin back again. As a simple boost - try having 1 or 2 fresh lemons in a glass of water each morning. Look into doing a colon cleaning programme which has tremendous benefits to skin and overall healh. Eat more raw vegetables and fruits to cleanse,nourish and purify your body. Explore the Hydrogen peroxide blogs -this amazing liquid cleanses your blood and kills bacteria and virus', as well as killing the bacteria when applied (concentration of 3% neatly with a Q-tip) directly to the boil.
In terms of beauty/hair products: cold pressed, raw coconut oil (available in most health food stores) makes an excellent hair oil, which shines,conditions and softens as the same time. It also smells divine.
I hope this helps for now.
Reader Comments
Posted by Dianna (Austin, TX) on 01/11/2009
you said your derm said your hair care products are giving you your boils? stop using them. i wash my hair with grandpa's pine tar soap once a week and then use a rinse of either ACV (1 capful) or lime juice (1 small (key) lime) and a liter of water.
i now have more beautiful hair than ever. oh - and don't ever use hot water on your hair. i have switched to only washing my hair with cold water and i can't believe the difference it has made. i used to have very dry hair no matter what i put on it conditioner wise. now i don't even need conditioner at all and my hair is long again and in much better condition.
try it!!! you will certainly save money and maybe your skin problems will stop too. when you are bathing all of the stuff from the hair care products goes all down your back and onto your body. makes perfect sense to me. i for one would never put anything on my head/scalp that i couldn't put in my mouth. btw - i also brush my teeth with grandpa's pine tar soap...
djh/texas
Reader Comments
Posted by Keturah (Albuquerque, New Mexico) on 01/11/2009
Hi I just found this site, I had my first boil (i guess you can call it that) when i was 19 I was carefree and had a rocking body and great skin I was often asked what did I use on my skin. I had a great natural golden glow, then my life slowly been to change, I usually get my boils or cysts on my back...just recently I started to get them under my breasts and in my arm pits...I never knew what I had and had no insurance to go to the derm...I finally got some school money and saw my first derm I was given no help at all. At this time my back now had bullet like holes left from the scarring, I no longer can wear backless anything...I questioned... Was I too vein in my teens and early twenties the reason this happened to me? I saw another derm...at 28 I was pregnant with my son, he told me I had HS...I live in pain...I would burst these things myself because I just could not take the throbin burnin pain another day...and oh the relief! I started to do more research because the derm I started to see didnt make me feel like he wanted to truly help me, He kinda gave me my walking papers...So next week I will meet with another...I have one on my back now! I see now that a soap or pills can not help this alone and this will be a life style change for me...I will try the dial soap my Benzoyl Peroxide is not working and my topical cream is not working, I will try the tumeric, I will also change my diet drastically...I hope my little girl does not have this, and I only got one on my upper thigh...I dont want any in any other areas in that region...but I did get them inside the checks...of you know where! but I was too embrassed too tell anyone. I thougt I had hemorrhoids. But since I'm African American there's a whole set of rules...The derm said that my hair products are most likely the cause of the cysts, but then how will I do my hair? I feel like I've lost so much of my beauty I used to model...Now I have scars on my breasts...In the folds of my cheeks of you know where...and holes and scars all over my back...I had two kids so my tummy isn't like it was when I was 22. I'm just sad, mad, a bitch some days...most days esp. when I have a cyst, but at least...I'm not alone. I guess I will try more natural hair styles but if anyone has any suggestions, post please...most of the ingredients in African American products have stuff in them that you should stay away from.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by T3 (Chicago, IL) on 01/04/2009
I will try this. My cysts go on for 20 years all over and each has a different name and none have a cure. I either have to wait til it comes to a point (huge then) so dr. can cut it or it busts by itself and is a bloody mess. Not to mention the pain. I had 3 in my breast all come to a point at once after a mamorgram, which never showed them, but the ultrasound did. So for any of these cysts, I need answers, deoderant, shaver, soaps all been tried and no relief. No insurance now and when they come I'm on my own. Few times dr. wouldn't even open it and drain it, so pain, pain to my toes on the side of the cyst. I looked bruised or blackened on the ones that have reawaken lately. Antibiotic is hard to get, the dr's don't believe it helps me, but one did, plus I said they make me exremely nausaus and they said it was all in my head. I told them they're crazy,i get so much pain and it gets so big, i can't go to work, what more proof you need? I get so sick to my stomach, headeaches, radiation of pain on the entire side and can't move sometimes. Just need some help. Apple cider baths did not help, baking soda relieved pain, but stung the other unopened one and bactraban seemed the best, but is a prescription, and may eventually flair up anyway til it needs to break. They all do this and I can't take it anymore. Even my clothes are getting ruined. I had some removed and they come back 1/2 inch from the last one. Like I'm 1 big cyst with a head on top. Let you know if tea tree oil helps. Also tried the diet thing too, over 20 years of this, one thing right dr.'s say, NO CURE. Cut, cut, drain, scar, scar, cut, cut. Been there don't that. I was only 19 then. I can cry/I do.
Pau D'arco, Red Clover Tea
Posted by Kiki (Baltimore, MD) on 12/26/2008
★★★★★
After a lot of ineffective medical intervention and trying things that didn't work (Dial soap, Epsom salt soaks, losing weight, etc.), an herbalist finally gave me a simple remedy that has proven incredibly effective for my HS. I have had the condition in mild form for 17 years, but with my first pregnancy, progressed into a more severe stage that left me with debilitating pain, multiple legions that wouldn't stop draining, and nothing that seemed to make a difference. I lost about 60 pounds after the birth of my daughter and started eating healthy, which also didn't help. Once I stopped breastfeeding (you cannot take these herbs while pregnant or breastfeeding), I take one cup of Pau D'Arco and one cup of Red Clover tea daily. Use about 6 oz. of water for each and steep for at least 10 minutes. I saw definite results in about 2 weeks. Daily soaks in dead sea salt baths and Neosporin 3X daily on legions helps them to heal with less scarring, and the teas keep the legions from coming back. Cutting out sugar and white foods cleared it up completely. This has absolutely stymied the condition when nothing else worked and everyone swore nothing would. Give it a try! You can find both teas at your local herbalist or Whole Foods.
Colloidal Silver
Posted by Carolina (Sto Dgo, Dom Rep) on 11/25/2008
★★★★★
Hello, First of all, I want apologize for my English but I want give you my opinion.
I'm 32 years old and I'm suffering HS for 10 years, I had read and try every antibiotic, and some natural remedies, but my worse situation now is, My husband is starting with the problem in his testicles after he started to drink ACV to lose weight? and I feel terrible and I don't knew the HS could be contagious.
every month before my period I have the ball, I'm using with good result a silver gel, the name is "colloidal silver" help me a lot to calm and restructure the skin and the ball gone after 3 days.
I hope you can try the colloidal silver.
I have try a lot remedies but the ball coming 3 or 4 months later.
I'm feel crazy because if I'm depress, sad, worry, angry even excited or happy the ball coming up, I'm can't stand my hormonal disorder.
Please try the colloidal silver maybe can help you.
Carol
EC: "the ball" = large, recurring boil
General Feedback
Posted by Shelly (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 11/05/2008
I'm curious if anyone has mentioned botox injections at the groin area for you. it has been a life saver for a few people i know. i know it can be expensive, but you can look into health care coverage, i would rather be out of pocket,than to live through that pain and i totaly sympathize with you i've been there too.
General Feedback
Posted by Nek (Evansville, Indiana) on 11/04/2008
I have suffered from hidradenitis since puberty. I am now 40 and male. I have read comments about the effectiveness of turmeric for hidradenitis on this site and on others and having suffered in silence for so long I am optomistic, yet skeptical, as to whether it will work. I, too, have tried accutane (God-aweful experience), antibiotics, tretenoin cream, various soaps, etc. (all to no avail) and am very close to making the choice to have a sinus tract surgically removed from my groin. The pain is, as everyone knows, excruciating and until recently (probably the last 1 1/2 years) the disease has manifest itself on both buttocks cheeks. I have connecting sinus tracts all over my bottom (and also have the embarrassing scarring to prove it) and I can only guess that the tissue is so damaged from years of boils on my bottom that the disease needed "fresh meat" and headed to my groin in search of new apocrine sweat glands. Lovely, huh? All of this said, I hope it is understood that I have lived with this affliction for 30-some painfully (literally and figuratively) and, at times, humiliating years and no physician has been able to prescribe a medication that helps.
Inasmuch as I continue to search for a cure, to no avail, I am cautiously optomistically that turmeric is finally the magic bullet that will end the years of pain, scarring, embarrassment, smelly discharge and useless/expensive trips to doctors, who nearly always say that I should be glad it is "down there" and not on a visible part of my body. I always have been glad for that but somehow their words lack true sympathy for the debilitating nature of the disease.
So, last evening, after reading posts regarding turmeric helping combat/cure hidradenitis I ran out and bought turmeric from Walgreens. The pills are 950mg with pepper as a buffer (I guess). I took two pills last night and then made a salve from another pill mixed with neosporin and applied it to the boil (with sinus tract) on my groin. I have had this particular oozing, painful boil at this location for about 10 months. It started to tract about 2 months ago. This morning I took another 950mg pill, a second around noon and a third around 6PM. I'll let you know how the treatment works out after a week.
General Feedback
Posted by Liz (Monticello, MN) on 11/03/2008
Sufferer of HS
I had my first lesion when I was 19, did not know what it was at the time, I am now 43. I was free of flare ups until I was 35, when I gained weight with my pregnancy. Since then, it has been a nightmare. I completely relate to all of you on this sight. Short version...my doctor sent me to a derm. he said it was HS..sorry can't help you, but you can take accutane! NOT!! So leaving there empty-handed and no idea what to do..I learned on my own..to live with it. The pain is unbearable, embarrassing, and completely gross! Mine started on my thighs and groin and have seem to have found their home on armpits. Oh, when I showed the derm. my boils and scars, he asked me if I had any on my armpits, I said no and he said "You will"..gee thanks.Well, he was right about one thing! So, now I have done my own wear and tear on the darn things and they have torn me up worse. I am a firm believer in Dial soap but that is the only preventive measures I ever knew about until now. I tried antibiotics, turns out I am allergic to most of them, great! Band aids..allergic to latex, too. My Dr. once told me, "Boy, did God ever give you a body to deal with".Ya think. She actually lanced one when I was having my daughter. She said not to say anything, I guess it was freebie. Well, I am sure looking forward to trying any and all of the remedies you all have mentioned on this sight. I just don't know where to start and with what doses or mixtures. Can anyone give specifics on this? I also noticed that they seem to flare with PMS, the only problem there is being premenopausal and getting my period every two weeks does not give enough time to heal between outbreaks...What else, huh? So, please, anybody...HELP!!
General Feedback
Posted by Devina (Kanpur, India) on 10/30/2008
hi iam 24 years old and have been suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa since i was almst 18 years old. just got diagnosed about a month ago after going through one horrible surgery and getting the sweat gland under my right armpit removed. i do get the lesions at various places in my body but they are fare less than what i used to few years back.its not so painful now as maybe one gets used to the pain..but i agree it can be very embarassing specially the scarring..and dont feel like getting into any intimate relationships..with anyone..and talking about your condition with other people.
thankfully i met a dermatologist..he did diagnose me though i researched on it over the internet my doctor confirmed it was hidradenitis. he gave me certain antibiotics for a week and now iam on these pills for 3 months called sotret..supossed to shrink the sebacious glands.have been given an anti-bacto soap to bathe.since i sweat a lot a form one armpit as the other sweat gland is gone..it even omits a really bad odour.my doctor has a recommended a lotion called the no swet lotion which gradually decreases..the sweat production.
i have been taking this medicine sotret which is also called isotreniton for about a month now and i think it has started to work.real progress only happens after you have stopped with the medicines..condition improves even after that.
i used to be very overwieght at one point of time.i have lost a lot of weight and i realised it makes a major difference..while suffering from this disease however loosing weight can be quite a challenge with this disease and the lesions always flare up with the heat created by excercise.
dont know why god created this disease..but when i read about other peoples sufferings i know i am not the only one and there are people with far worse..cases.
General Feedback
Posted by Talija (WILKES BARRE, PA) on 10/23/2008
I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA SINCE MY EARLY TEENAGE YEARS, I WISH IT WOULD JUST GO AWAY. I AM 24YRS NOW AND HATE MY BODY. DOES ANYONE ELSE EVER FEEL THIS WAY. I FEEL AS IF I WERE ROBBED OF MY OWN LIFE. IF ONLY THERE WERE SOME MAGICAL PILL THAT YOU COULD TAKE ONCE AND YOUR LIFE WOULD BECOME NORMAL. I HAVE THREE KIDS (GIRLS) WHOM I HOPE THAT ONE DAY WILL NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN A RELATIONSHIP FOR OVER SIX YEARS AND STILL FEEL DISGUSTING ABOUT MYSELF WHEN AROUND HIM. ANY GOOD THOUGHTS.
General Feedback
Posted by BRENDA-LEE BLACK (SPRING VALLEY, CALIFORNIA) on 10/06/2008
WONDERFUL WEBSITE: I AM AN HS SUFFERER FOR 10 YEARS NOW, DIAGNOSED FOR 6 YEARS. I HAVE NOT REALLY BEEN TO ALOT OF DOCTORS BUT THE ONES I HAVE BEEN TO HAVE NOT REALLY HELPED. I OFTEN USE CEPHALEXIN CAPSULES. THEY HELP WITH THE ODOR WHILE TAKING THEM AND FOR ABOUT TWO DAYS AFTER THEY ARE DONE. ALSO IT KEEPS THE PAIN AND SWELLING DOWN BUT NOT FULLY. I WILL DEFINITELY TRY SOME OF THE HOMEMADE INEXPENSIVE STUFF I FOUND ON THE LINK. I AM QUITE FRANKLY TIRED OF IT.
