Anyone have Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

I have been dealing with HS now for several years. As of the last 2-3 years, the outbreaks under my arms have gotten ridiculous. I often have open wounds that tend to seep and I was wondering how treat the wounds. Bandaids don't work and it is very hard to tape gauze to your underarms. Lately, when I have had seepage I have been just tucking napkins under my arms but there has got to be a better way to keep it dry and avoid getting it on my clothing. Any suggestions?

So sorry to hear that you are also suffering with HS. I have had it for 9 years and in stage 3 all over my body. I have the same problem as you do and let me say that ACCUTANE DOES NOT CURE HS. Accutane is for acne. HS IS NOT ACNE. There is no cure or successful treatment for HS. I have been on several different antibiotics for over 6 years now. I also have mrsa infection and now e.coli.
For bandaging under the arms, I recommend using disposable nursing pads that you can find in the baby section of Walmart. Try to find a product called SAF-GEL (you may have to order it online) and use polysporin. Prescription bactroban ointment also works well.
For odor, wash with Hibiclens (available at most pharmacies) and take clorox baths using 1 small capful of bleach to a full tub of water. (don't worry, it doesn't burn) Also too keep from getting mrsa, ask your dermatologist or primary about swabbing your nose, navel, and perianal area with bactroban ointment twice a day for 10 days every 4 months. Good luck and I wish you a pain free day.

HS is gonna need more than gauze. See your dermatologist or primary care doctor about your worsening condition. Ask about isotretinoin (aka accutane) or an oral antibiotic. Then your wounds should keep recurring!

Since you know the name of your malady, I presume you have seen a doctor (if not, then I'm mystified as to how you came up with that particular disease, and, for goodness sakes, see a doctor!!!).

At the very least, you need to avoid any chemicals or cosmetics that may "coat" the pimple, which, unfortunately, can lead to other socially debilitating problems! ;)

I had a similar problem with a severe case of poison oak, which had coated the entire back of both of my legs, resulting in horrifyingly huge, black, seeping, scabs. Unfortunately, this occurred during a very hot summer, and I had to work as volunteer, so I couldn't take the two weeks off normally needed to heal such . Instead, I took HOT baths with a mixture of 1 cup epsom salts, a half-cup of chlorine bleach, and one cup of isopropyl alcohol. After soaking for about fifteen minutes (yes, I brought a good book!), I gently cleaned the scabs with a soapy washcloth (which, of course, was thrown away afterwards; I used a plain liquid body soap, so I wouldn't have to throw away soap bars!). I then PATTED dry the affected areas (and threw out the towels, too!). BTW, I used a separate wash cloth and towel to clean the unaffected areas. When I went to my volunteer stint, I had wrapped my legs with plastic wrap, and secured the top and bottom with rubber bands. I wore long, lightweight pants, partly to hide my hideous legs (and to prevent people from screaming and running away!), and partly to prevent any excess pus from staining seats or rubbing against anyone, etc. I even wore the plastic wrap to bed! None of this was comfortable, but, eventually, all did the trick. That probably won't help in your case, but, who knows? It's worth a shot, right?

The following suggestion may sound silly, but you could try wearing a cotton t-shirt, and attach a feminine napkin product over the armpit part of the shirt (most such products have a peel-off backing which reveals a sticky side which you would attach to the shirt, NOT to your armpit!!!), which would help absorb any seepage. That would also eliminate the need for a bandage, which you shouldn't use, anyway, as it may further irritate the pimple.

A last resort may be to use an anti-wart product, but I'm not sure that it's "safe" for your condition, as most warts are calloused, whereas your condition may not be, so the product on the exposed skin may result in severe burning and pain.

Good luck!

I use to take wash clothes and put them under my arms. But they tend to rub my skin raw. It's almost totally impossible to keep the drainage off your clothes. I use almost everything possible, but nothing work. I had no choice but to have HS removed from underneath both my armpits. I was slow to heal, but now I have only a few small areas underneath my arms and very little drainage. I wish you the best!

I am so sorry! Hidradentis is a PAIN! I had surgery under both of arms. I was in the hospital for two weeks. It is VERY painful. They would have to give me pain killers to remove the bandages. At first when they would remove the bandages they would put me under with anesthesia. I would also have whirlpool treatments. Fortunately the boils never came back under my arms.

Then I started getting the boils on my legs. It was horrible. First they removed the glands in my groin area. Then they had to remove the boils on my buttocks area. I had to lay flat on my stomach for days. Oh what a back ache. They did whirlpool treatments for that also. The pain was unbearable. They had a morphine pump and when the paid got so bad I could push the button.The morphine hurt like crazy and I had to decide which hurt the most. Fortunately the antheologist let me know to turn up the drip so the morphine wouldn't hurt.

Eighteen years later and after all these surguries,the boils have returned. I'm taking accutane. I would rather die than have surgery again.

Good luck.