Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic (long-term) inflammatory condition that causes painful, fluid-filled lesions, often on areas of the body where skin touches skin. This occurs when bacteria gather in blocked hair follicles, resulting in inflammation.

If you are living with the condition, you are probably currently taking treatment. This may include drugs.

  • There are drugs called biologics.
  • Antibiotics.
  • hormone therapy.

You could use some extra relief during a flare-up if you have experienced periods when you could use some extra relief. Natural therapies are generally safe to use with other treatments and may help you manage your symptoms.

Before starting any of these therapies, you should talk with a doctor.

Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties and may help reduce the number of skin lesions in acne. While HS also features lesions, it’s not a form of acne, so tea tree oil may not have the same effect. Currently, there’s not enough research to confirm the benefits of tea tree oil for either acne or HS.

Tea tree oil is toxic if swallowed. It should only be used to treat the symptoms of the disease.

Some tea tree oils can be applied directly from the bottle, while some need to be diluted in a carrier oil (like sweet almond oil) before use. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.

If you haven’t used tea tree oil before, make sure to first check for allergic reactions by placing a drop of the oil on your forearm for 12 to 24 hours. If you don’t have a reaction like skin irritation, you can apply it to other areas.

While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

Research suggests that the foods you eat may affect HS, but the best diet to manage the condition is unclear.

Still, following an anti-inflammatory diet may make a difference in the frequency and severity of your breakouts. Some foods that may contribute to flare-ups include:

  • There is sugar.
  • dairy
  • nightshade vegetables, such as:
    • The vegetable is called eggplant.
    • peppers
    • potatoes
    • They have tomatoes.

Try to eliminate them in favor of anti-Inflammatory options.

  • oily fish
  • There are nuts.
  • leafy greens.

Foods containing brewer’s yeast (pizza dough, cake, beer) have also been found to possibly worsen HS symptoms. However, it’s unknown whether brewer’s yeast affects all people with HS or just those with a wheat intolerance.

More studies need to be done on diet and hidradenitis suppurativa. Until there’s more information, pay attention to foods that may be linked to HS symptoms and consider temporarily eliminating them from your diet to see if your symptoms improve.

Turmeric is a plant similar to ginger that contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, much like tea tree oil. Unlike tea tree oil, however, turmeric is nontoxic and can be applied topically or ingested as a supplement to help prevent infection and reduce inflammation.

Turmeric is commonly used as a complementary remedy for HS. It may help with symptoms by reducing inflammation. However, more research needs to be done to confirm its effectiveness.

Applying a cold or warm compress directly to an HS lesion may temporarily relieve pain in the affected area. A 2020 study found that participants reported using warm compresses more than other forms of pain relief. However, they rated this therapy as less effective than using marijuana or opioids.

You can make a warm compress using a washcloth and hot water. After wringing out the water, place the washcloth on the affected area for 10 minutes.

Aloe vera is one of the most commonly known treatments for skin conditions and wound healing. Although there isn’t evidence to suggest it will heal your lesions, its cooling properties may help soothe some of the pain associated with HS.

Twice per day, apply the cream to the area of your skin. Some chemical Additives can cause irritation, so make sure to use pureAloevera that is free from chemical Additives.

As with tea tree oil, it’s important to apply a small amount of aloe vera to your forearm to test for allergies before using it for the first time. Wait 12 to 24 hours to check for a reaction before using it on other parts of your body.

In general, it may be best to avoid using deodorant entirely if you have HS.

If you choose to use deodorant, switching to a natural, aluminum-free deodorant might help you avoid irritation around lesions on your underarms. However, there isn’t much research on the effects of deodorant on people with HS.

Adjusting your wardrobe may relieve some of the discomfort caused by an HS flare-up and improve your quality of life.

Wear clothes that are not tight. Instead, wear more absorbent clothing.

If your breasts are mostly around your upper thighs, you should try bras without an underwire or underwear that is made without tight elastic or seams. It is possible that loose boxers are less annoying than briefs.

Adding a small amount of bleach to a warm bath may help treat infections.

To take a bleach bath, DermNet NZ recommends you add 1/3 teaspoon of 2.2 percent household bleach for every 4 cups of bathwater. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

If you put your head in the water, you could get it in your mouth or eyes. After you wash your body with bleach, rinse off in the shower and pat the sensitive areas dry.

More research needs to be done on the effectiveness of using bleach baths for HS.

There is no cure for HS. lifestyle changes and treatments may help improve your symptoms It may take a while to find a treatment that works for you.

It’s important to note that there’s a twofold higher rate of HS in people who smoke. If you’re living with HS and you smoke, quitting may help your condition.

If you continue to experience symptoms from your HS after trying various therapies, it may be time to talk with a doctor about other options. These may include surgery or injections.