When people try to tell me HS isnt a disability i ask them to imagin if they had an extreamly painful sore red bump the sixe of thire fist on under their breasts or ner ther groin and to imagin trying to work or go to school or walk or do anything they normally do on a daily basis. then I tell them it lasts as a bump for about a month or so and then pops open with a smell that can only be discribed as sewer like and to have that be a constant fear that they can just go from big pain to relief to oh crap i need to change. then i tell them to put that on a day by day hour by hour basis with multiple of them popping up and opening at different times and being in a constant state of pain and not able to do the things that you love efficiently because you restrict your movement so that no one sees the puss stains under your arms or sees the ones on the inside of your pant legs.

I give them the big picture of HS when they tell me it's not a disability because it is both mentally and physically debilitating.

Hi, I’ve had HS for about 25 years. I have tried everything under the sun to help lessen my flair ups. I mainly have flair ups in my groin area which can make it very difficult and painful to walk.

I am happy to report I have not had a flair up in 15 months. This is what I am doing to keep the flair ups away.

1. I had certain bumps that would constantly come back, drain, never completely heal and then return again. I started applying heat to these areas (I had to do one at a time because of the soreness). I’m sure you can use almost any safe heat source but I chose to use the “hot hands” product. I could wear it under my clothes, the heat lasted for many hours and it did not become too hot. I continued to use heat until the infection was all out and the drainage was blood only. I would then disinfect the area and apply a band aid temporarily.

2. Since my flare ups are mainly in my groin area, I had to make a decision to stop wearing underwear. It created constant friction in the area and would almost always irritate my skin.

3. I started taking luke warm baths daily vs showers. This was a big adjustment for me because I loved my showers. Once I started with my baths, I could almost immediately tell a difference in my skin.

I honestly believe making these 3 changes is the reason I have not had a flare up in 15 months. I pray this information will help others. 🙏🏻

Much love XO ❤️

It is a disability!!! I got approved for disability because of it!

I’ve tried to everything but I am homeless cause of my exit abuser eviction me from the house he brought me so when I get somewhere a little more private I will try again thank you so much and have a blessed day how was you weekend