Several home remedies may relieve symptoms when applied to the affected skin.
These include aloe vera gel, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, and tea tree oil.
Of those that made dietary changes, 46% noted the changes as beneficial.
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To make a compress, grab a clean cloth and run it under warm water.
Wring out the excess water to limit moisture against your skin.
Turmeric
Turmericis a spice known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which some researchers believe may help relieve HS inflammation.
Both oral and topical formulations of turmeric have been studied with mixed results.
Researchers acknowledge that turmeric should be studied more closely for its potential as an HS treatment.
Honey
Manuka honeyis another natural remedy that has been studied for the treatment of HS.
Honey has long been hailed for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and wound-healing properties.
For one study, researchers soaked wound care dressings in Manuka honey.
Those dressings were given to people with HS, who wore them on their inflamed skin.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oilis an essential oil known for its potent antimicrobial properties.
Tea tree oil should always be diluted before applying it to the skin.
Essential oils are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that drugs and food additives are.
Although many essential oils are known to have therapeutic qualities, they should still be used with caution.
Always ask a healthcare provider for guidance before using essential oils as home remedies.
Aloe vera gel is typically well tolerated.
Zinc
The mineralzincis known to help the immune system fight infection.
InAyurvedicand homeopathic medicine, neem oil is commonly recommended for people with slow- or non-healing wounds.
Neel oil can be applied directly to the skin and does not need to be diluted.
Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRubis a topical ointment available over-the-counter.
Applied to the chest or throat, it is usually used to relieve cough and congestion.
But Vicks VapoRub has other uses, too.
Therapeutic compounds in Vicks VapoRub include eucalyptus oil, menthol, camphor, and turpentine oil.
Together, these compounds produce anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects.
Vicks VapoRub is not FDA-approved for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa.
The product’s manufacturers warn not to use Vick VapoRub on broken skin.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about using it.
People with hidradenitis suppurativa sometimes use bleach baths for this reason.It must be done carefully, though.
To make a bleach bath:
Bleach should never be applied directly to the skin.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salt bathsare one of the most commonly used hidradenitis suppurative home remedies.
Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most active component in cannabis.
It does not cause a high.
CBD oil has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation in people with arthritis when applied to the skin.
CBD oil can be purchased in most holistic health stores and pharmacies.
Taking steps to prevent flare-ups can make life with the disease more manageable.
The clothes you wear should also be loose to avoid putting pressure on sensitive and irritated skin areas.
Some fabrics even offer protection against odor and microbes that could lead to infection.
Shave Carefully
Be careful when shaving or avoid shaving altogether to stop friction on the skin.
Avoid Moisture
Keep susceptible areas dry to prevent irritation and infection.
Tips to avoid moisture include:
What Deoderant Is Best with Hydradenitis Suppurativa?
These ingredients can be too harsh, and may lead to HS flares.
Additionally, people with HS who lose weight may even stop having HS flares entirely, research shows.
Losing weight starts with learning how to use a healthy diet and regular exercise to create acalorie deficit.
Losing too much weight too fast isn’t safe and can even hinder your weight loss progress.
Talk with your healthcare provider to create a safe and effective diet and exercise plan.
When bathing, opt for an antimicrobial body wash to reduce bacteria.
Wash yourself off at least once per day and after any exercise sessions.
Take care not to scrub your skin too vigorously to get it clean.
Scrubbing can cause more inflammation, which will only make your HS worse.
Don’t Smoke
Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for developing hidradenitis suppurativa.
Summary
HS is a progressive inflammatory disease.
There’s no known cure for HS, but treatment can help prevent flare-ups and stop disease progression.
These can help relieve symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
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