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?
It took me a while to figure out my triggers lol. I really just figured it out in the last month or so. I did an elimination diet and started by cutting out foods that are most commonly triggers of autoinflammatory diseases -- what I found was sugar, dairy, YEAST (big one!!), nightshades (chilli peppers and sauces).
It's definitely an emotional and grueling process to figure out your triggers but it is worth it. I used to be taking doxycycline every day with clindamycin topical, but thanks to cutting out my triggers I now only use clindamycin!I found that Ibuprofen products was my trigger. I had always taken Ibuprofen for headaches, body aches, whatever. Several years back, I hadn't taken any for at least a week, then a headache came on. Within two days, maybe next day, I had the biggest boil I have ever had! For a week after, I was fighting abscess after abscess and decided to think about what had changed in my daily life/routine.
I decided to stop taking all Ibuprofen products, and the boils stopped. Tried to take some a couple of months later, boils came back, usually the next day.
I still have a boil break out or two now, but nothing like when I take Ibuprofen. Mine is mostly now scarring and it seems like residual embedded "spots" that still form a boil. I still have tunneling and knots. This has been my life for a good 15 year. My husband does his best to help, but he doesn't understand it.
Oh wow,
, this is so interested. This is the first I've heard of ibuprofen products being a trigger. Thank goodness you started to notice a pattern and do some further investigating/testing on yourself. I'm so glad to hear that you've been able to get some relief! Did you ever talk with your dermatologist about this? I'm curious if they have other patients who have a similar trigger to this. Often one thinks of NSAIDs as being anti-inflammatory. But it's such an important reminder that anything can be a trigger! Also, is it just ibuprofen? Are you able to take other NSAIDs (like Aleve/naproxen)?
It's nice that your husband is supportive, but you're definitely not alone in finding those who don't live with it have a hard time truly understanding. Hopefully the community here can provide additional support as the members here get it!
Do you have any go-tos for those residual spots or boils that pop up?
Thanks again for sharing your experience! Wishing you continued relief. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
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.
