Hidradenitis Suppurativa Skin Condition: Symptoms and Treatments

Sep 19, 2011
Tamara Laschinsky

Alternative treatments like accupuncture may help some who suffer from hidradenitis suppurativa - Photo by: Ggiv with permission

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin condition with no cure, though early treatment can relieve discomfort and prevent infections and new breakouts.

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also referred to as acne inversa, is a chronic skin inflammation for which there is no cure. Marked by blackheads and red, inflamed bumps, early treatment may help reduce the severity of symptoms.

Symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Blackheads, Red Bumps, Open Sores

Hidradenitis suppurativa commonly occurs around hair follicles where an excess of oil and sweat glands are found, such as in the armpits, groin and anal area. It can also occur where skin rubs together in places like the inner thighs, under the breasts or between the buttocks.

Often the skin condition starts around the time of puberty and is first noticed with a painful bump that can last for weeks or even months. Cases vary and an individual may only have one area of their body affected, or they may notice it affecting various parts of their body at once.

Common signs and symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa are:

Blackheads: Small areas with a tiny black dot in the center. Often appear in pairs.
Red, tender bumps: Bumps or lesions that get bigger and eventually break open and leak pus. The pus may smell unpleasant and be accompanied by itching, burning and excessive sweating.
Painful, pea-sized lumps: Hard lumps, the size of a pea, can develop under the skin and persist for years.
Leaking bumps or sores: Open wounds that may or may not heal. Often lead to scarring and development of tunnels under the skin.

Symptoms vary for each individual and may or may not require medical intervention. Factors such as excess weight, stress, heat, excessive perspiration and hormonal changes can make symptoms worse.

Treatments and Drugs to Help Hidradenitis Suppurativa

While there is no cure for hidradenitis suppurativa, affected individuals can use a variety of treatments to lessen the severity of the symptoms and prevent the development of new lesions.

The Mayo Clinic recommends using warm compresses and antibacterial soap for mild cases. For moderate cases, medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and even tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors may be recommend by a doctor.

Severe and persistent cases may require surgery such as incision and drainage, uncovering the tunnels made in the skin or surgical removal of the affected skin.

Natural and Home Treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Despite the fact that there is no cure for this skin condition, affected individuals can do the following to relieve discomfort, promote skin healing and reduce infection risks:

Warm compresses: Apply a warm, wet cloth to the affected area to open pores and rinse out the area.
Clean affected area: Use a gentle cleanser to keep the area clean and, if needed, apply antibiotic to the affected area once it has been cleaned and dried.
Loose clothing: Prevent skin irritation by wearing comfortable clothes that are not too tight and don't rub against the skin.
Shaving: Avoid shaving if possible as it can irritate the skin.
Smoking: While not proven yet, smoking may make hidradenitis suppurativa worse. Quitting smoking is a healthy choice and may help improve the condition of the skin.
Lose weight: Excess weight leads to more skin rubbing together and more skin folds. Losing weight will help reduce friction and minimize areas that promote bacterial growth.

Alternative remedies are not proven scientifically, though individuals can find a variety of natural treatments online. Acupuncture has been mentioned and would be used in combination with herbs such as garlic, goldenseal, cleavers, echinacea, thyme, lavender and bergamot.

Tea tree oil, or Melaleuca oil, is another essential oil used in acne cases to cleanse the area and disinfect. Drugs.com indicates it has been studied for use in cases involving nail infections, fungal skin infections, athlete's foot, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and acne. Tea tree should never be ingested. For acne treatments, it is used at a concentration of 5% tea tree oil gel applied for 20 minutes to affected ares and then washed off.

Shea butter is another natural remedy used by individuals to promote skin healing. Unrefined shea butter contains both vitamin A and vitamin E and can be used to promote healing of the skin. There are no clinical studies to prove the effectiveness of using shea butter; however, individuals using shea butter should ensure it is unrefined vs. refined, to get the full benefits of the butter.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.