What triggers your HS flares?
Certain types of foods, products, stress, hormones, smoking, genetics, alcohol, and a host of other factors can cause HS flares. A place to exchange ideas, tips, and experiences all related to HS triggers.
What are your triggers? How did you figure them out?
I don't know what my triggers are. I get flairs on a monthly basis so I think mine are triggered by my menstrual cycle but since I'm going through menopause they have decreased in number although I do still get them they are not as bad but still worrisome. Believe it or not I just started getting treatment for them from a dermatologist.
I have used Humira and also injections into the lesions. Currently, I take Cosyntx and Doxycycline. There are several biosimilar shots getting approved, I think. When a flare is causing infection, antibiotics have been given. I hope they find something that helps you. My HS is only somewhat controlled. I am still in constant pain and bleeding daily. 
I'm sorry to hear this. It can be so frustrating to have HS flare and get worse, especially when so many people say that HS may decrease after menopause. Have you been able to talk with your doctor about it? -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
Stress. I graduated from a masters program in May and still havent found a job. I am at my most streessed and I am currently battling 5 big lesions, 1 in a place that is totally random and new which means the disease is getting worse. Triggers that I have been able to identify are: sugar, chocolate, ice cream, hot weather, overweight. I think sometimes we are HS detectives! Oh by the way, this is my 1st post! Hello everyone. Glad to be here. 😊
I honestly don't know what my trigger is. I've had this condition since I was a child but wasn't diagnosed until I was 21. I had such a huge knot under my armpit that had no draining, at least not outside of my body but it hurt me so much my Dr. Removed it and did a skin graft. It came out the size of a golf ball with a kind of cone shape on the bottom. He sent it to the mayo clinic and told me what it was. He didn't even know much about it. I moved and couldn't even remember what it was called. I'm now 48 and my youngest daughter now has it. I again have an open tract under my arm and the knot is deep below. It has little draining but feels like I have a ball under my arm and it's painful. I wash under my arms with acne wash and don't spray Deodorant directly on that area. But it's not going away and I need some sort of relief under my arm. It's exhausting trying to sleep because I have to have material or something covering it. I really hate having this and am seeking help through a psychiatrist because it and other things have played a HUGE part of my relationships or lack there of. I've never been married and shy away from intimacy because I didn't want to explain them nor did I want them to catch it. I struggled living in Florida not wanting to go to the beach with all my friends because of my need to hide them. This condition ruined my childhood and most of my adult life. 😪
Hello,
, I'm so glad you reached out. My heart goes out to you that your son is dealing with HS and then complications from a treatment that was supposed to help, and instead impacted his kidneys. It is hard as a parent to watch our child go through something like this. Has his doctor been able to offer other ideas for treatments? There are a lot of other options aside form Humira (here's a link to some more information, https://hsdisease.com/treatment), so hopefully you can find something that you all feel comfortable with and also brings him some relief!
I also want to give you a heads up that I did remove your email address from your original comment. For your safety we do not allow personal information, including email address, as these sites are publicly viewable (here's a link with more information on our community rules, https://health-union.com/community-rules/).
Also, I know your son is technically an adult at 22 years old, but I thought you might be interested in this article about parenting a child with HS, https://hsdisease.com/parenting. Please know that this community is here for you and your son, and reach out anytime. Sending you both gentle hugs! -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)that's great! At least, that it's been helping the severity and occurrence of new flares. I'm crossing my fingers things continue to improve for you! -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
