Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) “is like being branded with a hot poker and not being able to pull away,” one myHSteam member described. Another member shared, “It’s the worst pain you can imagine. Sometimes it feels like knives.”

Living with ongoing “debilitating pain” can take a toll on people with HS. Research has linked pain from HS, and chronic pain more generally, with depression. For your immediate relief and your long-term quality of life, it’s important to find effective ways to relieve HS pain.

Dr. Richards Huggins, a senior dermatologist in the department of dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, offers tips for managing pain from HS. He runs an HS clinic and is involved in research seeking to develop treatments for HS. He also participates in a local HS support group (the Detroit chapter of Hope for HS).

Below are Dr. Huggins’ top tips for relieving HS pain.

1. Relieve Pressure From Swelling

HS flare-ups can cause swelling that “puts a lot of pressure on the skin around it,” Dr. Huggins explained. That pressure “can be very painful.” Dr. Huggins recommends applying warm compresses or microwavable hot packs to painful lesions. Using heat on an HS lesion will increase pressure, helping the wound to open and drain. “If you’ve ever had an HS lesion burst, you realize that it does help the pain to become relieved,” he said.

2. Use Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter pain medications can be effective at reducing your pain. Dr. Huggins recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) as pain management options you can try at home. He recommends taking the maximum dose of these medications together for a few days for pain relief. This combination can be “helpful for a lot of patients,” he said. Additionally, Dr. Huggins noted that if you see a dermatologist for pain management, they will likely start with over-the-counter medications first.

While using acetaminophen and ibuprofen together is a common approach, check with your dermatologist or primary care provider before you take these medications. Ibuprofen is not recommended for people with certain health conditions such as kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and some types of heart disease. It’s also not recommended if you’re pregnant.

Always stick to the maximum recommended dosage. Taking too much acetaminophen, for instance, can cause liver damage and symptoms like vomiting. Read packages carefully, and consult your health care provider or a pharmacist if you have questions.

3. Follow Up With Your Dermatologist

Dr. Huggins emphasizes the importance of addressing the root cause of your pain, which is HS. That means treating not only your pain but also the HS itself. Keeping your follow-up appointments helps ensure you communicate with your doctor about your symptoms and how your treatments are working. If your current plan isn’t effectively managing your symptoms, your dermatologist can suggest alternative treatment options.

People with HS often need more than one type of treatment to get the best results.

4. Consult Your Dermatologist Before Stopping Medications

HS is “a long-term disease,” Dr. Huggins explained. Even if you find a treatment that works well, “don’t assume you’re cured and can just stop everything all at once.”

Dr. Huggins emphasized the importance of discussing your treatment with your dermatologist. If, after a thorough conversation, your dermatologist agrees that it makes sense to take you off certain treatments, you can create a “deliberate and strategic” plan, he recommended.

Having a plan in place helps prevent your symptoms from worsening and avoids negative effects from stopping medical treatment too quickly. Some medications, such as corticosteroids, need to be tapered off slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHSteam, the social support network for people with hidradenitis suppurativa and their loved ones, more than 44,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with hidradenitis suppurativa.

How do you manage pain from your skin condition? Does pain from HS affect your mental health? What are your main methods for feeling better? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.