Hidradenitis Suppurativa Flare Up and Scar Management

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Flare-up and Scar Management for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Learn how to manage flare-ups of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and help your wounds and scars heal.

_{This is a disease awareness website produced by UCB and is intended for a UK and Ireland audience.}

Living with hidradenitis suppurativa can be very difficult; painful abscesses and scarring can make activities you’re used to harder and more frustrating, and affect both your physical and mental health. However, there are steps you can take to help reduce your flare-ups, manage your symptoms and feel more in control of your condition.

Flare-ups

Flare-ups, or ‘flares’, are periods of time where your symptoms are worse. They can make daily life more difficult than usual, so understanding how your body reacts to different possible triggers and adjusting your lifestyle to reduce flare-ups wherever possible can have a big impact on your quality of life.

Preventing flare-ups

There are many steps you can take to help prevent your HS from flaring up. Some are easier to do than others, but all can have a good impact on your quality of life. Remember that everyone reacts differently, and you may not react to these changes the same as other people with HS. The most important thing is for you and your doctor to find a way of managing your condition that works well for you.

Some preventative steps you can try include:

Follow your treatment plan
Try to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you
Stick to a healthy, nutritious diet
Wear loose, breathable clothing to limit sweat
Try to get enough sleep each night
Take steps to reduce stress
Avoid shaving affected areas
If you’re a smoker, quitting could make a difference – talk to your doctor to find out if quitting could help you

If you need help with any of the steps above, talk to your dermatologist to see what support is available for you.

Managing flares

If you have frequent flare-ups, you may want to speak to your dermatologist to decide together what treatment might be best for you.

During a flare, you may find it helpful to clean your skin using an antiseptic soap or wash (along with other treatments). Holding a warm flannel on top of abscesses can also help release and drain the pus and relieve discomfort.

Coping with pain

Pain can be one of the most difficult symptoms of HS and can take the form of short-term pain - sometimes called acute pain - and long-lasting, or chronic, pain.

Acute HS pain is caused by inflammation and abscesses and is often described as burning, stinging, shooting and stabbing. This pain isn’t usually relieved until the abscesses burst, and may require surgical treatment .

Chronic pain tends to occur with more severe HS and is often described as gnawing, aching tenderness or throbbing.

Pain is a serious symptom that deserves proper treatment. Speak with your dermatologist about management options if you’re struggling with the pain of HS.

“What I try if I’m in a flare and not totally able to move, I go to the pool. I go swimming. It definitely gives a bit of pain relief... but it’s also a mental health thing really. To stay with yourself, to stay focused and not become the pain.”

Nicole, living with HS in Ireland

Wound care

You are likely to need to care for open wounds from abscesses that have ruptured, from surgical treatment for your HS, or drainage from ulcers and tunnels.

Caring for these wounds is important to prevent further issues, though it can be time-consuming and frustrating. Dressings need to be changed often and can come with quite a high price tag. Try to find the types of dressings that are most suited to the management of HS.

Dressings used for HS include:

Superabsorbent dressings made with gelling substances
Absorbent dressings such as abdominal pads
Substances called calcium alginates
Foam dressings

Over time, some of the adhesives used on these dressings may cause you pain and irritation. Look for dressings that use gentle adhesive. There are also specialty products becoming available specifically for HS. Ask your dermatologist about what products are available for you, or speak with other people living with HS who can share their individual experience.

Scar management

HS causes scarring when abscesses and tunnels cause damage to the tissue underneath the surface of your skin. Scars are a natural part of the healing process. Some people feel proud of them, while others may feel self-conscious about visible scarring. Scarring can also cause problems such as tightening of skin and muscles that makes it difficult to move normally.

How can I minimise scarring?

The best way to minimise scarring is to reduce flare-ups as much as possible, preventing the initial damage to the skin. Follow your doctor’s advice on any lifestyle changes that can help prevent abscesses from forming, which in turn may prevent your skin from scarring.

For existing or developing scars, there are treatments available that can support the healing process and make scars less visible.

These include:

Silicone gel or gel sheets
Pressure dressings
Steroids
Surgery

A combination of treatments can be used to manage scars.

Remember that scars do fade over time, so it’s important to remain patient as your body heals.

Want to learn more about hidradenitis suppurativa treatment? Click below to access more information

Surgeries and Other Procedures for HS

There are surgical and non-surgical procedures that can help treat severe HS.

Conventional therapies for HS include antibiotics, steroids and hormonal therapy.

Biologic Treatments

There are several biologic treatments available for HS.

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have any concerns about your health or medicine, you should consult your healthcare specialist or general practitioner.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the patient information leaflet. You can also report side effects directly in the UK via the Yellow Card Scheme website: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ or via the the MHRA Yellow Card App in the Google Play or Apple App Store. In Ireland please report via the HPRA at https://www.hpra.ie/homepage/about-us/report-an-issue.

You can also report adverse events to UCB at UCBCares.UK@ucb.com or UCBCares.IE@ucb.com.

_{IE-DA-2400316. July 2024}

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