8 Surprising Things Making Your Hidradenitis Suppurativa Worse

Living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) can be challenging, but understanding what can make it worse is the first step toward managing this condition effectively. Here are eight things to be mindful of in your daily life that can exacerbate HS symptoms and some friendly tips to help you navigate them. 1. Being Overweight Extra weight can increase friction and sweat between skinfolds, leading to more irritation and inflammation. “There are plenty of thin people with the condition, but we do know being overweight is a risk factor,” John Frew, MD, PhD, a clinical scholar in the Laboratory of Investigative Dermatology at The Rockefeller University in New York, tells Everyday Health. Consider incorporating healthy eating habits and regular physical activity into your routine to help manage your weight and potentially improve your HS symptoms. RELATED: 8 Ways to Care for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Wounds 2. Sweating Heat and sweating can aggravate HS, so it’s essential to find ways to stay cool and dry. “Some people do report that heat and sweating make HS worse, but it is not clear whether it is due to the rubbing of skin together or more complex factors, such as bacteria and acid levels in the skin,”...