7 Complementary Therapies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

What’s more, “Some people [with HS] are frustrated with traditional treatments. They may be tired of taking antibiotics or other medications, or they’re concerned about long-term side effects,” says Rita O. Pichardo, MD, a dermatologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who runs a clinic for HS patients.

“The response to treatments is also unpredictable,” says Steven Daveluy, MD, professor and dermatology program director at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Dearborn, Michigan. “What works great for one person may not work at all for another. This leads both doctors and patients to be willing to try many different treatments to find the right fit.”

As is typical of nontraditional medical treatments, most that have been touted to help treat HS have not been proven to work. Several have a good deal of anecdotal evidence to back them up, however, and may be worth trying with a dermatologist’s guidance. “HS is like a puzzle, and we have different pieces to manage it — and every piece counts,” says Dr. Pichardo.

1. Aloe Vera

The thick, fleshy leaves of this succulent contain a gel that is used for an array of medicinal purposes. It can moisturize dry skin, soothe sunburns, and ease irritation and itching. It’s often added to lotions, creams, and other skin-care products.

What it does: Although aloe vera hasn’t been shown to heal HS wounds, it has been found to help ease inflammation related to other skin conditions, and “those anti-inflammatory properties may help in HS,” Dr. Daveluy says.

How to use it: You can buy pure aloe vera gel at your local pharmacy or health food store, or harvest it yourself by slicing a leaf lengthwise and squeezing the gel out. Apply the gel to the affected skin and cover with sterile gauze.

2. Diluted Bleach

How to use it: It may seem potentially dangerous to purposely put bleach on your skin, but it only takes a little bit to be effective. Pichardo advises diluting one-quarter cup of household bleach in a full tub of bathwater. “Soak for 10 to 15 minutes, three times a week,” she says.

3. Epsom Salts

Epsom salts are a naturally occurring mineral salt composed of magnesium sulfate. It’s inexpensive and easy to find at pharmacies, supermarkets, and other stores, as well as online.

How to use it: Create a bath soak by adding about 1 ¼ cups of Epsom salts to a full tub of water. Pichardo also says that you can dampen a clean cloth with a solution of Epsom salts and warm water to use as a compress, applied directly to lesions.

4. Honey

The honey you drizzle on toast or into tea may have benefits that extend beyond sweetening. However, “it’s important to know that we’re not talking about [using] food honey” to treat HS, says Daveluy. “We’re talking about medical grade products made from honey, since they are free from contaminants and safe to use on skin wounds.”

How to use it: Honey can be used for HS in a few different ways, says Pichardo: “You can apply it directly to lesions on its own or use a mixture of honey and turmeric. You can also take it by mouth, either alone or mixed in tea or another beverage.”

5. Turmeric

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that makes a colorful addition to curry powder, stews, marinades, sauces, and more.

6. Topical Menthol Analgesic

An over-the-counter ointment such as Vicks VapoRub includes the active ingredients camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol. It’s typically used as a cough suppressant when inhaled, or as a pain reliever when rubbed on sore muscles.

How to use it: Most people apply a thin layer of ointment to a closed lesion and cover it with a bandage. The important thing to remember is that it should never be applied to open or draining abscesses, says Pichardo.

7. Zinc

Should You Try a Complementary Therapy for HS?

The other is safety and efficacy. “More studies on alternative therapies and HS are needed,” says Pichardo. In her own practice, she uses the experiences of her patients, existing research, and the properties of these therapies to guide recommendations.

Check with your own dermatologist before you try something new to treat HS. They can help you figure out which home remedies may show the most potential for you and are safe to use alongside your existing treatment.

The Takeaway

• Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory illness that can be challenging to treat due to the range of its symptoms, and many HS patients opt to use complementary at-home remedies to supplement traditional medical care.
• Several nontraditional options, such as aloe vera, Epsom salts, and topical mentholated ointment, lack definitive scientific evidence as HS treatments — but experts say they’re safe and have enough anecdotal evidence to support trying them.
• If you’re unhappy with your current HS treatment regimen, talk to your doctor before adding nontraditional therapies to ensure that they’re not dangerous and will address your specific concerns.