Hidradenitis: Treatment with Folk Remedies

Summer. The heat has arrived, and everyone is sweating profusely. This is necessary to avoid overheating and to eliminate excess fluid through the skin. Sweating has its benefits, but there is a downside—during the heat, there is an increased growth of microbes, leading to inflammation of the sweat glands and the development of hidradenitis. On the blog “Folk Medicine Recipes,” there is a new article titled “Treatment of Hidradenitis with Folk Remedies.”

Hidradenitis: Symptoms and Causes

• Hidradenitis, often referred to as “suppurating axilla” in old times, is most commonly located in the armpit area or the groin, and very rarely on the scalp. Since hidradenitis is an infectious disease, it is important to note that it is caused by streptococci, staphylococci, and other microorganisms. An infiltrate (carbuncle) forms after bacteria penetrate the sweat glands through the lymphatic ducts and then into the tissue.
• In addition to heat, there are other factors that contribute to hidradenitis. The disease can also occur due to hypothermia during cold weather. It is common in individuals with endocrine and immune system disorders, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism. Overweight individuals often suffer from hidradenitis, so fighting obesity is essential for prevention. Hidradenitis can also occur in people who neglect personal hygiene or overuse antiperspirants.
• Hidradenitis begins with redness and the appearance of a painful lump the size of a pinhead, which by the second or third day grows to the size of a cherry pit.

Inflammation develops rapidly, spreading to new areas and increasing the affected area. Without treatment, it will burst in ten to fifteen days, releasing pus and forming a scar. No wonder hidradenitis is colloquially called “suppurating axilla.”

Hidradenitis Treatment: Conservative Therapy

• Do not wait for the carbuncle to burst, as the disease is often accompanied by high fever and local pain, sometimes unbearable, making it difficult to move or lift your arm, let alone perform any physical work. In severe cases of hidradenitis, antibiotics are prescribed by a doctor in the early days.
• If you feel painful discomfort, cleanse the affected area with antiseptics such as boric or salicylic alcohol, Octenisept, or chlorhexidine bigluconate. You can also use pharmacy alcohol tincture of calendula, but dilute it with boiled water in a 1:1 ratio before use.
• After disinfecting the area, apply Vishnevsky ointment, ichthyol ointment, or Levomekol. Do not skimp on the ointment—cover the affected area with a thick layer under a bandage and secure it with adhesive tape. Perform the procedure twice a day (morning and evening). If the inflammation is mild, you can apply the bandage in the evening before bed and use brilliant green or iodine during the day.
• In cases of severe inflammation, you may need to stay under the bandage for several days and nights. During treatment, avoid washing the armpits or other areas affected by hidradenitis to prevent complications. During this time, wear loose cotton clothing that is easy to wash, such as a short-sleeve t-shirt.
• This will prevent the formation of a “greenhouse” effect and ensure proper air circulation to the affected area. Tight clothing can exacerbate the condition. Continue the treatment until the inflammatory abscesses disappear completely.

“Attention! Do not attempt to open the abscess on your own, as this may worsen your condition. Follow the recommendations in this article, and within 3-5 days, you will forget what ‘suppurating axilla’ is.”

Treatment of Hidradenitis with Folk Remedies

• It may happen that hidradenitis catches you off guard in a place where there is no nearby pharmacy or necessary antiseptics. In such cases, folk remedies can help. Apply well-washed leaves of blackberry, cabbage, lilac, or plantain to the inflamed area. Kalanchoe and aloe, plants often grown on windowsills, are also effective as they draw out pus.
• Baked onion is another excellent folk remedy for treating hidradenitis. Bake the onion in the oven, cut it into thin slices, and apply them to the affected area. It’s important to alternate between compresses of baked onion and the leaves of the medicinal plants mentioned above to speed up the healing process.
• Potato treatment for hidradenitis: Grate a young potato and apply the resulting paste to the affected area on a piece of double-layered gauze. Apply the bandage overnight to prevent the potato juice from leaking during the day when you are active.
• Calendula treatment for hidradenitis: Drink an infusion of calendula flowers several times a day for a few days, half a glass 3-4 times a day before meals. Use two tablespoons of flowers per two glasses of boiling water.
• When the day of healing from hidradenitis arrives, wash the area with infusions of sage, chamomile, or calendula. To prepare the infusion, use four tablespoons of raw materials per two glasses of boiling water. During the treatment, eat more raw root vegetables and celery leaves; this healing plant has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, normalizes metabolism, helps eliminate toxins from the body, and aids in weight loss.

Hidradenitis: Preventive and Therapeutic Measures

• Hidradenitis is not directly transmitted from person to person, but in some cases, infection is possible through hair removal tools. It often occurs when hair is removed with an unsterilized razor or used blades. Or when you shave an area with inflammation and then use the same tool on a healthy armpit or groin area.
• Remember the importance of personal hygiene, as individuals with weakened immune systems may develop chronic hidradenitis, leading to recurring illness. Do not forget to treat hair removal areas with Panthenol ointment or salicylic-zinc paste. Immediately cauterize any small blisters or red spots with brilliant green or iodine tincture.
• By the way, frequent shaving of the mentioned areas is contraindicated for people prone to hidradenitis. Folk medicine recommends that people suffering from obesity and excessive sweating should wipe problem areas with Clotrimazole cream, which has antifungal and antimicrobial effects, at least twice a week. In summer heat, use Nizoral shampoo instead of shower gel once a week (no more).
• Do not overuse antiperspirants. Excessive use of this cosmetic product leads to the blockage of sweat gland ducts, causing swelling and eventually contributing to the development of hidradenitis or another purulent inflammatory process. Keep wet wipes on hand throughout the day and take a cool shower frequently—this is an excellent way to combat hidradenitis.