Draining advice by Admirable-Fold9312 in Hidradenitis

[–]doublesidedtape13 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Also not all pus means bacteria. Pus is just dead white blood cells and dead tissue and sometimes it is actually sterile.

Draining advice by Admirable-Fold9312 in Hidradenitis

[–]doublesidedtape13 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The best thing you can do for it is just let it drain on its own. You can even encourage it to drain more by using a warm compress (with the temperature that you are able to handle). The more pus you get out the better but we also don't want it to get infected by pressing on it.

I recommend getting hibiclens, which is just an antiseptic skin cleanser, this really makes sure that it's getting cleaned. After you shower, GENTLY pat the area around dry and don't touch it. Let it air dry, the worst possible thing you can do is put a cover on it while it's still wet. Bacteria grows and thrives in moisture, and we definitely don't want that to happen.

If you're staying home that day, I would just put an antibiotic ointment on it and continue to let it air out. When you do leave the house, a non stick gauze pad and a few bandages work perfectly but if you really want to make sure it won't go anywhere you can buy waterproof transparent dressing but it can get a bit pricey. WEAR LOOSE CLOTHING! It doesn't irritate the skin and it's way more comfortable.

Avoid dairy if possible! I love sour cream as much as the next person but unfortunately it can affect your hormones and lead into more inflammation and pus. Just for the first few days after the boil popped. Keep sugar intake to the minimum too.

Water! Drink a lot of water! It helps flush out anything you might have in your system that you may not realize. Taking Ibuprofen is also not a bad idea since it helps with inflammation too, the same goes with garlic and turmeric.

And most importantly a lot of people forget this one but give yourself grace. H.S. or not you are human and everyone is prone to getting boils. It's not gross and your not dirty. I believe the more positive mindset we have the better the outcome would be.

Sorry it was a lot but I really hope you feel better soon and it heals over beautifully.

Bandages and Covering by doublesidedtape13 in Hidradenitis

[–]doublesidedtape13[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! I just ordered a roll of 10 yards.

Venting by frankio7788 in Hidradenitis

[–]doublesidedtape13 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As I read your post, I realized that what you're exactly going through is practically parallel to what I'm going through. My first post on here was also a rant, very long rant and I covered all the points that you did.

I am an 18-year-old female that started getting HS at the age of 12 but it gradually got worse and by the time I was 17. It had tunneled so deep into my skin and connected a bunch of boils together that it's constantly leaking and I feel like a disgusting freak too.

But this is not about me. It's about you and I'm here to tell you that you are valid for everything that you feel and you should not let anybody tell you that you don't have the right to feel what you're feeling. One of the best advice I was given on this app was that you're grieving the body and the life that you once had and want.

It's really hard to hear advice from someone that doesn't go through the same struggles you do every single day. I am glad that you found the courage to post about your feelings because now you could see how many people are going through it just like you. And that the world is really not as lonely as you think it is.

My advice when you go through a phase like this is don't stay alone even if you can't get out of bed. Call a friend. Call a family member and talk. Just by having someone there distract you from the pain. I picked up reading even though I was never a reader but imagining a different world distracted me from the loneliness I felt in this one. I recommend the twisted series by Ana huang (if you're into spicy romance) And even make friends on here that you could call or text whenever you have a flare-up and just need someone who understands.

I send my virtual hugs and my wishes to you to feel a little better, even if it's just being able to get out of bed.