Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful disease with many treatments but no cure. Many people with HS are interested in changing their diet in the hope of reducing their disease and stopping its progression to a more severe stage.1
HS is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. The disease begins when clogged hair follicles cause bumps. Sporadic flares make symptoms worse. The process leads to:2,3
- Abscesses
- Pus
- Odor
- Inflammation
- Tunnels under the skin
- Scars
- Impaired mobility
Studies have found that there is a link between the health of the digestive system and the health of the skin. However, more research is needed to better understand the impact of diet changes.4,5
Popular diets include:
- Paleo
- Autoimmune protocol
- Anti-inflammatory
- Whole30
- Elimination
Some of the diets reduce symptoms of comorbidities (2 or more diseases or conditions that occur at the same time). This suggests that these diets might also be effective against HS. However, it is important to check with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.6
Paleo diet and HS
The paleo diet is based on eating habits of humans’ Paleolithic (Stone Age) ancestors. As hunter-gatherers, they are believed to have had a diet that included:7
- Meat and fish
- Insects
- Roots
- Green vegetables
- Seasonal fruit and nuts
The Paleo diet is free of:
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Grains
- Legumes
- Nightshades, including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, paprika, and peppers
The diet is thought to promote gut health and prevent bacterial overgrowth. Studies show that the paleo diet reduces symptoms of some autoimmune diseases. Since HS is linked to autoimmune diseases, the paleo diet may help people with HS.4,8,9
Research shows positive effects on the HS comorbidities of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that includes large waist size, abnormal triglyceride and cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. The syndrome increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.7,10
Potential risks from the paleo diet include lack of vitamin D and calcium.7
Autoimmune protocol diet
The autoimmune protocol diet is similar to the paleo diet but more restrictive. This diet may help control HS flares. The autoimmune protocol diet promotes meats and vegetables. It limits:4,11
- Gum
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Coffee and alcohol
- Oils
- Refined sugars and artificial sweeteners
Anti-inflammatory diet
The anti-inflammatory diet limits dairy, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber. It is designed to reduce the frequency and severity of inflammatory bowel disease flares. By decreasing inflammation and maintaining a balance of helpful bacteria in the gut, the diet may reduce HS symptoms.12
The diet includes:12
- Lean meats, poultry, and fish
- Eggs
- Certain carbohydrates
- Fruits and vegetables
- Nut and legume flours
- Limited aged cheeses
- Yogurt and kefir
- Miso and honey
It may include mineral and vitamin supplements to make up for missing nutrients. Prebiotics, such as bananas, oats, chicory root, and flax meal, are suggested.12
Whole30 diet
Another similar diet is the Whole30, which also eliminates processed food, sugar, alcohol, dairy, and gluten for 30 days.13
Potential risks include a lack of B vitamins, iron, and fiber.13
Elimination diets
Besides eliminating certain foods as part of more complete diets, some people stop eating just specific foods:
- Nightshades – may increase “leaky gut,” which allows harmful substances to pass from the digestive system into the rest of the body. This may cause inflammation, which leads to HS symptoms.4
- Dairy – contain hormones and growth factors that may contribute to obesity and HS symptoms. In a small study of people with HS on a dairy-free diet, more than 80 percent reported improvement. None reported worsening of the disease.14,15
- Sugar and other refined carbohydrates – may cause blood sugar to rise, triggering inflammation and HS symptoms. Early research suggests that keeping blood sugar low may help prevent new lesions and avoid the growth of existing lesions.16
- Brewer’s yeast – may trigger HS symptoms, especially in people with wheat intolerance. In a small study, eliminating beer and foods made with yeast caused HS symptoms to stabilize. Within a year, HS lesions regressed. If the person drank beer or ate food containing yeast or wheat, the lesions returned immediately.17
