Getting familiar with your Hidradenitis Suppurativa symptoms will help you be prepared for a conversation with your doctor.
Understanding Your Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptoms
Getting familiar with your symptoms can help you feel more prepared when talking to your doctor about your Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). While everyone’s experience with HS is unique, recognizing the symptoms early can help with treatment and managing flare-ups.
Common Symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
HS symptoms can vary from person to person, and they often change over time. The severity and type of symptoms depend on how far along the condition is. Here are some of the most common symptoms people with HS may experience:
- Painful, Red Bumps: Small, raised, and red lumps that can feel sore or tender to the touch.
- Skin Sores: These lumps can break open, leading to oozing, sometimes with pus or drainage.
- Itching or Burning: Many people with HS feel itching, burning, or soreness in the affected areas.
- Odor: A foul smell can develop from the oozing sores.
- Dry or Crusty Skin: The skin around the affected area may become dry, scaly, or crusty.
Where Does Hidradenitis Suppurativa Appear?
HS most often shows up in areas where skin rubs against skin. The most common places to see symptoms are:
- Armpits
- Groin
- Buttocks
- Under the breasts
However, HS can also appear in other places like the face, scalp, rectum, or genital area. If you notice any of these symptoms in other parts of your body, make sure to talk to your doctor.
Cycles and Flare-Ups
HS tends to come and go in cycles. You might notice periods where your symptoms seem to improve, or even disappear (called remission), followed by times when the symptoms flare up again. These flare-ups can be triggered or made worse by certain things, including:
- Smoking: Smoking can make HS worse.
- Heavy alcohol use: Drinking too much alcohol can lead to flare-ups.
- Hot weather: Heat and sweating can increase symptoms, especially during warmer months.
How Lifestyle Changes Can Help
Making small changes to your lifestyle can be tough, but it can help manage your symptoms. Some changes that might improve your condition include:
Quit Smoking: Smoking is a known trigger for flare-ups.
Eat a Healthy Diet: Eating well-balanced meals can help with overall health and possibly reduce inflammation.
Stay Cool: Avoiding extreme heat and sweating can help prevent flare-ups.
While it might feel like these changes take effort, they could lead to fewer or less severe flare-ups over time, making HS easier to manage.
