Treatment for HS

In the beginning stage of HS, it may be difficult to be diagnosed. It is not a well-known condition, so most Primary Care Physicians will refer these patients to a Dermatologist, who specialize in treatment of inflammation of the skin. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to rid of the inflammation of the abscesses. During the later stages of HS, Doctors may suggest for a patient to undergo minor surgeries which consist of incising and draining the pus-filled abscesses, and sometimes even corticosteroid injections to help alleviate the pain. Some patients also undergo procedures to remove portions of the sweat glands to slow the excretion of these fluids.

There is no cure for HS, however there are things that may be done to help maintain and provide comfort to patients that are living with this chronic condition.

Treatment Options

Wound Dressings

Besides the pain, patients are forced to live with the discomforts of fluids excreting from their abscesses regularly. This causes clothing and bed sheets to ruin and also gives off an unpleasant odor. Collagen Matrix Dressings with Silver wound dressings are used for the closure of multiple types of wet wounds. They are made up of:

Collagen – Essential for skin cell regeneration. Promotes wound healing.
Sodium Alginate – Obtains moisture balance for wound closure while absorbing fluids excreting from wounds up to 20 times the weight of the bandage.
Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose (CMC) -protects wounds from creating infection, causing pain, and promotes faster healing processes.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) -removes zinc to create a suitable environment for wound healing.
Silver chloride – destroys growth and development of microorganisms which cause infection.

For HS patients in particular, these dressings are used on the wound to help drain the fluids that are excreting. This dressing helps to stop infections from forming. It is made of seaweed, and can collect fluids up to twenty times its weight in drainage. They easily conform to the wound shape and size and are considered a contact dressing, meaning that this dressing is applied directly to the wound bed. They are typically covered by a cloth bandage to help keep the dressing in place.

Biologics

The first FDA-approved treatment for Hidradenitits Suppurativa is Adalimumab. This medicine is typically prescribed to patients with moderate to severe HS (Hurley Stages II and III). It has shown in studies that patients who tried this medication have experienced fewer breakouts of abscesses and nodules.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics such as clindamycin or doxycycline.

Methotrexate

Methotrexate is a cancer treating medication that has been used in patients with severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Hurley Stage III) , as well as patients with extreme cases of psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. This drug is an immunosuppressant therapy that is typically used as a primary source of treatment in patients of HS and is not used in conjunction with biologics, such as adalimumab. This type of therapy has the potential to reduce the inflammatory phases of HS.

Metformin

The diabetic drug Metformin has been known to help patients with HS.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy, such as birth control (spironolactone), can help to reduce pain associated with the abscesses and nodules and may help to minimize drainage from the abscesses.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroid pills and injections have been known to help alleviate pain associated with HS. The pill form helps to rid of inflammation, which typically causes more breakouts to occur. Injections can be administered into cysts to help the swelling go down as well.

Providing Patients With Comfort

If you have been seen by a Dermatologist for your condition, and are still searching for relief, click the “Get Started” icon below and fill out our quick and easy form to get more information!