What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

​Hidradenitis Suppurativa, often called HS, is a long-lasting skin condition that causes painful lumps to form deep under the skin. It is not just a simple pimple or a boil that goes away quickly; it is a chronic disease that affects people for many years. These lumps usually appear in places where skin touches skin, such as the armpits, the groin, the buttocks, and under the breasts. For someone living with this condition, finding reliable information on hidradenitis suppurativa is the first step toward feeling better.

​The condition begins in the hair roots near sweat glands. When these get blocked, they trap bacteria and fluid, leading to swelling and pain. Over time, these lumps can break open, leaking fluid that may have a strong smell, or they can form tunnels under the skin connecting the lumps.

Because this illness can look severe, patients often worry about the emotional impact of living with chronic skin disease. It is important to know that you are not alone, and there is help available. Doctors who are dermatologists specializing in HS can provide the right care plan.

Understanding what is hidradenitis suppurativa helps you explain it to family and friends who might not understand why you are in pain. It is a real medical condition, not caused by being dirty, and it requires medical attention, not just strong soap.

​Symptoms of Hidradenitis suppurativa

​The signs of this condition can look different depending on how long you have had it and how severe it is. For many, it starts with painful lumps under the armpit or in the groin area. These lumps might look like large pimples or deep boils. Unlike a regular pimple, these recurring boils in the groin area do not heal quickly and often come back in the exact same spot. This cycle of healing and returning is a major sign of the disease.

​As the condition progresses, you might notice blackheads appearing in pairs or a "double-ended" pattern on the skin. The painful bumps can grow larger and fill with fluid. When these abscesses that drain fluid break open, the liquid can stain clothes and may have an unpleasant odor, which can be very distressing

In more advanced stages, the lumps may connect beneath the skin. These are called sinus tracts or tunnels. You might feel hard lumps under the skin that hurt when you move or touch them.

Eventually, these wounds heal but leave behind thick, rope-like scars. This scarring can make it difficult to move your arms or legs freely. Recognizing early signs of hidradenitis suppurativa allows you to seek treatment before deep tunnels or severe scars from skin abscesses form. If you notice painful bumps that do not go away, it is time to see a doctor.

Causes of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

​Doctors and scientists are still working to understand the exact reasons why some people get HS and others do not. However, they have found several factors that play a big role. It is likely a combination of your body’s defense system, your genes, and your environment.

• ​Genetics and Family History: One of the strongest links is family. If your parents or siblings have this condition, you are more likely to have it too. Many patients ask is hidradenitis suppurativa hereditary because they see it running in their family tree. While you cannot change your genes, knowing your family history helps in getting an early diagnosis. It suggests that the structure of your skin or hair follicles might be passed down from your parents.
• ​Hormonal Changes: Hormones seem to be a major trigger. The condition usually starts after puberty, which suggests that sex hormones play a part. Many women notice that their symptoms get worse before their menstrual period. This leads people to search for hormonal treatments for skin boils or ask about HS symptoms during pregnancy. While it is not strictly a "hormonal disease," the fluctuations in your body's chemistry can cause flare-ups.
• ​The Immune System: This is perhaps the most important cause. HS is now considered an inflammatory disease. This means your body’s immune system is overreacting to a minor blockage in the hair follicle. Instead of just clearing it out, the body creates massive inflammation. This is why doctors look into autoimmune connections to skin boils when deciding on treatment. The body is attacking the hair follicle as if it were a dangerous invader.
• ​Lifestyle Factors: Certain lifestyle choices can make the condition start or get worse, though they do not strictly "cause" it alone. Smoking tobacco is strongly linked to HS; it seems to increase the inflammation in the body. Also, carrying extra weight can create more friction and hormonal changes that trigger symptoms. People often look for weight loss benefits for hidradenitis suppurativa to see if changing their body size will help reduce the painful flares.

​Transmission of Hidradenitis suppurativa

​It is very important to state this clearly: Hidradenitis Suppurativa is not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone else, and you cannot give it to anyone. It is not an infection caused by poor hygiene, and it is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

​Many people worry about risks of catching skin boils from others, but with HS, there is no risk. The fluid that leaks from the lumps is not infectious to others; it is just a mixture of protein and inflammation from your own body. You can hug, touch, and share towels with family members without fear. Sadly, because the lumps appear in private areas like the groin, people often fear is HS a sexually transmitted disease. This fear can damage relationships and cause shame. Understanding that this is a genetic and immune system issue, not a contagious germ, is vital for your mental health. Partners should be reassured that intimacy with hidradenitis suppurativa is safe and cannot transmit the disease. Breaking the stigma is as important as treating the skin.

​Prevention of Hidradenitis suppurativa

​While you may not be able to fully prevent HS if it is in your genes, there are many ways to manage it and stop it from getting worse.

• ​Dietary Changes: What you eat can affect your skin. Some foods may cause more inflammation in your body. Many patients find relief by following an anti-inflammatory diet for skin health. This often means cutting out dairy products like milk and cheese, or avoiding sugary foods and brewer's yeast. Others try avoiding nightshades for HS, which includes foods like tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. Although everyone is different, keeping a food diary can help you find your triggers.
• ​Clothing Choices: Friction is an enemy of HS. Tight clothes rub against the lumps and can cause a new flare-up. Wearing loose, breathable cotton clothing helps the skin stay dry and cool. You should look for the best underwear for hidradenitis suppurativa which usually has no tight elastic bands in the groin area. Reducing friction helps prevent the hair follicles from getting blocked in the first place.
• ​Skincare and Wound Care: Keeping the skin clean without irritating it is key. Using harsh scrubbers is bad, but using a gentle antiseptic wash for skin boils can help kill bacteria on the surface. Products containing chlorhexidine are often recommended. If a lump is leaking, you need to know how to bandage draining abscesses so that the skin around it does not get damaged by the moisture. Keeping the area dry and covered with a non-stick pad helps prevent infection and discomfort.
• ​Lifestyle Adjustments: If you smoke, stopping is the single best thing you can do for your skin. Studies show that smoking triggers the disease. Also, maintaining a healthy weight reduces skin folds, which reduces friction and sweating. Finding stress management techniques for HS is also useful, as stress can cause the body to produce hormones that lead to a flare-up. Heat and sweating can also be triggers, so staying in cool environments helps.

Hidradenitis suppurativa Treatment Medication and Supplements 

Forever Propolis Creme is helpful in managing hidradenitis suppurativa because it supports the skin directly at the affected areas. It contains bee propolis, which is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions. In hidradenitis suppurativa, painful boils and draining sores often develop due to blocked hair follicles and bacterial activity.

Propolis helps reduce the growth of harmful bacteria on the skin surface and inside small wounds. It also helps calm redness, swelling, and burning sensations that come with repeated flare-ups. When applied regularly, the cream supports faster healing of open lesions and helps protect the skin from secondary infections. Its soothing nature makes it suitable for sensitive areas such as the armpits, groin, and inner thighs where hidradenitis usually appears.

Forever Aloe Lips is useful as a gentle topical support for cracked, painful, or irritated skin seen in hidradenitis suppurativa. It contains aloe vera gel, jojoba oil, and beeswax, which help seal moisture into damaged skin. In hidradenitis, constant friction and inflammation can lead to skin breaks and soreness. Aloe Lips helps reduce dryness, soften hard skin, and protect healing areas from further irritation. The aloe vera inside helps cool inflamed skin and supports tissue repair, while beeswax forms a light protective layer that prevents further damage. It is especially useful for small cracks, tender spots, or healing scars left behind after flare-ups.

Surety supports internal cleansing and immune balance in people living with hidradenitis suppurativa. It is made from Anthocleista nobilis, Cissus quadrangularis, and Terminalia superba. These herbs are known for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and blood-cleansing effects. In hidradenitis, toxins, repeated infections, and immune imbalance can worsen flare-ups. Surety helps the body fight hidden infections, reduce internal inflammation, and support detoxification through the blood and liver. The flavonoids and saponins in its herbs help calm swelling and reduce pain. By supporting the immune system, Surety may help reduce how often painful boils return.

Forever Aloe Berry Nectar helps support digestion, immunity, and internal cleansing, which are important in managing hidradenitis suppurativa. It contains aloe vera gel and natural berry extracts rich in antioxidants. Poor digestion and toxin buildup can contribute to skin inflammation.

Aloe Berry Nectar helps cleanse the digestive system, reduce internal irritation, and improve nutrient absorption. Its antioxidants help fight oxidative stress, which plays a role in chronic skin inflammation. Regular use supports immune strength and helps the body heal from inside, which may reduce the severity of flare-ups over time.

Forever Aloe Vera Gelly provides strong soothing support when applied directly to inflamed hidradenitis lesions. It contains stabilized aloe vera gel that penetrates deeply into the skin. Aloe vera helps reduce pain, redness, heat, and swelling in active boils. It also supports wound healing and helps prevent scarring. Because hidradenitis lesions can stay open for long periods, Aloe Vera Gelly helps keep the area moist and protected, allowing the skin to heal naturally. It is especially helpful after drainage or during active inflammation.

Champion Special Powder supports the body internally by helping fight infections and strengthen immune response. It contains Spathoda campanulata, Fagara zanthoxyloides, Anthocleista nobilis, and Alstonia boonei. These herbs have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help the body manage chronic infections linked to hidradenitis suppurativa. The herbs also support blood cleansing and liver function, which helps reduce toxin buildup that can trigger skin flare-ups. Champion Special Powder is useful for people who experience repeated boils, slow healing, and general weakness during flare periods.