If you have hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), you may wonder if diet can affect your HS symptoms. Some myHSteam members report that certain foods cause their HS to flare: “I have been able to determine my major food trigger — I will be staying away from potatoes and pork,” one myHSteam member wrote.

Another said, “It will be good to share our experiences regarding food we either avoid or consume more of to manage our symptoms. My triggers are dairy, artificial sweeteners, honey, cashews, peanuts, pizza, peppers, and alcohol.”

Although there’s no specific diet to follow for HS, and very limited evidence¹ shows that dietary modifications can assist in treatment, some researchers believe following a Mediterranean diet can reduce inflammation and HS severity.²

A Mediterranean diet typically includes lean proteins such as fish, a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. When following this eating plan, you avoid sweetened beverages like soda and processed meats like hot dogs and bacon.³

4 Foods That May Benefit People With Hidradenitis Suppurativa

To maintain your overall health, consider the following foods that may be beneficial when living with HS. The nutrients and foods mentioned below can be obtained via supplements. Always talk to your doctor before adding vitamins and supplements to your diet.

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are an important component of a Mediterranean diet and may help reduce inflammation in the body.⁴ Many types of fish, including salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines, are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, and canola oil.⁵

Salmon is a popular and simple fish to cook. You can roast it in the oven with lemon, salt, and pepper — or get more creative with a salmon and asparagus sheet pan recipe.⁶

Canned fish like sardines can be an economical alternative to fresh fish while still providing omega-3 fatty acids. Canned sardines can be added to pasta dishes and salads.⁷

Walnuts make a good snack on their own and also are tasty in salads, oatmeal, pasta dishes, and baked goods.⁸

A tablespoon of flaxseed or chia seeds added to your favorite smoothie recipe or stirred into oatmeal or yogurt can help you get more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.^9,10 Chia seeds can also be used to make pudding or jam.¹⁰

2. Turmeric

Turmeric and its active component, curcumin, can promote anti-inflammatory benefits. This spice has been used in traditional medicine to treat wounds and skin conditions,¹¹ but little is known about a direct link between turmeric and HS.

Turmeric can be incorporated into many recipes. You can use it in main dishes such as tandoori chicken with brown rice¹² or cauliflower turmeric stew¹³ or in sides and snacks like turmeric roasted chickpeas.¹⁴ Some people enjoy drinking golden milk — a hot drink made with turmeric and milk (including nondairy milk).¹⁵ Golden milk recipes tend to call for a sweetener, but you can leave it out if you want to minimize sweetened beverages or foods.

Turmeric is also available as a supplement. Talk to your doctor before taking turmeric supplements because they can interact with certain medications, including diabetes medications. Turmeric used in food isn’t considered a concern because of the dosage.¹¹

3. Zinc and Vitamin D

Some small studies have found that HS symptoms improved with zinc and vitamin D supplementation, although more research on the subject is needed.¹⁶

“I take vitamin D, zinc, and turmeric with black pepper,” a myHSteam member commented. You can discuss your nutrient levels with your doctor if you’re concerned. Don’t start supplementing with these nutrients before consulting a healthcare provider.

Vitamin D deficiency can be diagnosed with a routine blood test.¹⁷ Diagnosing a zinc deficiency is more challenging. Your doctor may order a blood or urine test if they suspect a zinc deficiency, but the results of these tests aren’t always conclusive.¹⁸

If you’d like to increase your zinc intake via your diet, oysters and beef will pack the biggest punch. Zinc is also found in dairy, eggs, and fortified cereals.¹⁹

The same fatty fish, like salmon and sardines, that are high in omega-3 fatty acids are also good sources of vitamin D. Many products are also fortified with vitamin D, such as milk — including plant-based types — and whole-grain cereals.^5,20

5 Foods That May Worsen Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptoms

Foods that may trigger or worsen HS symptoms vary from person to person. The best way to identify food triggers is to keep a food journal and track your symptoms.

Some people with HS can benefit from eliminating foods like dairy, brewer’s yeast, or sugar from their diets. Always talk with a dietitian or your doctor before making major dietary changes. It’s especially important to speak with a trusted provider before trying an elimination diet or adopting a popular diet trend like the ketogenic (keto) diet or the paleo diet.

1. Dairy Products

A couple of small studies concluded that eliminating dairy may improve symptoms of HS for some people, but more conclusive research is needed.¹⁶ One myHSteam member shared, “My worst triggers are meat and dairy and stress mixed with heat and humidity.”

If you eliminate dairy from your diet, it’s important to consume foods with calcium and vitamin D, such as leafy green vegetables and fortified beverages like soy milk.²¹

Dairy alternatives are increasingly available in mainstream supermarkets. When choosing a dairy-free product, check the nutritional label for nutrients you may want to incorporate into your diet, such as vitamin D and calcium, and for ingredients you may want to limit, such as sugar.²²

2. Brewer’s Yeast

This ingredient, found in beer and bread, may trigger worsening of HS symptoms in some individuals. One study that included 12 participants found that eliminating brewer’s yeast helped with symptoms. However, the 2019 North American Clinical Management Guidelines for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (the most recently published guidelines) stated that there was insufficient evidence for doctors to recommend a diet excluding brewer’s yeast.¹⁶

3. Sugar

Higher insulin levels have been connected to HS flares, and consuming sugar can boost your insulin levels. Therefore, it’s possible that consuming less sugar could be helpful for people with HS.³ One member commented, “My trigger is diet, specifically sugar. If I eat too much sugar in one day, then I will get painful flare-ups the following day. It never fails.”

Reducing your sugar intake can be difficult. The American Heart Association provides several tips, including avoiding sweetened beverages like soda, checking labels for added sugars, and sweetening oatmeal with fruit instead of table sugar.²³

4. Nightshade Vegetables

There are many claims that nightshade vegetables — tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers — cause inflammation and should be avoided. However, there’s no evidence that nightshade vegetables promote inflammation in the body.²⁴ Nevertheless, some members of myHSteam report that nightshade vegetables aggravate their condition. “Tomatoes and peppers cause killer flares for me,” one member shared.

Food sensitivities are highly individual, so it’s worth noting if certain foods — whether they’re nightshade vegetables or others — trigger worse HS symptoms. If you choose to avoid certain foods, be sure you are getting necessary nutrients through other means.²⁵

5. Alcohol

Some members of myHSteam report that alcohol negatively affects their skin condition. “If I drink any alcohol, it’s worse,” one member shared.

Another member wrote, “It’s been a process of coming to terms that I have to cut out alcoholic drinks at 25 years old.”

It’s possible that the brewer’s yeast found in alcoholic beverages like beer and wine may be a reason alcohol triggers HS symptoms for some people.³ However, there’s not a lot of research regarding alcohol’s effect on HS symptoms or flares.

In general, drinking too much alcohol can have negative health effects, including weakening the immune system and causing heart problems. You may find that reducing or cutting out alcohol benefits your health even if it doesn’t directly affect your HS.²⁶

Body Weight and Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptoms

Researchers have demonstrated a connection between HS disease severity and higher body mass index (BMI).²⁷ In a study of people who underwent weight loss surgery, the number of participants who reported HS symptoms decreased by 35 percent following weight loss. The researchers noted that losing more than 15 percent of body weight resulted in a significant reduction in the severity of HS.²⁸

Weight-loss diets may help improve HS symptoms. If you’re interested in losing weight, talk to your physician or a dietitian about which foods and meal plans might work best for you.