“I just want to be able to wear a bra again without worrying if it will bother the wound,” wrote one myHSteam member about frustrating lesions around their breasts. “I want to stop spending money on dressings. I want to quit worrying about it bleeding or oozing. I just want this spot to be normal again.”

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also called acne inversa, is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause painful and persistent lesions in skin folds and anywhere skin rubs together. These areas include under the breasts, in the armpits, between the inner thighs, in the groin area, and around the buttocks. Unfortunately, these places can also be challenging to bandage.

To better understand how to bandage HS around the breasts, myHSteam spoke with Dr. Julia Riley, a dermatologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and an assistant professor of dermatology at Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. If you have questions about hidradenitis suppurativa, seek medical advice from a dermatologist or other health care professional.

1. Choose the Right Bra

If you have HS and wear bras, choosing the right bra is essential when bandaging HS lesions under and around your breasts.

“Bras can be really irritating,” Dr. Riley explained. “I generally recommend avoiding anything with a tight elastic band, a metal wire, or a lot of lace.”

She also recommends bras with removable padding because you can replace the padding with dressings.

Dr. Riley suggests trying:

• Sports bras
• Bra tank tops
• Maternity or nursing bras

“Sports bras are a godsend,” wrote one myHSteam member. “I have ones that are a light material.

Another member commented, “I found that looser-fitting sports bras seem to help with a little better comfort.”

When shopping for bras, consider the bra material in addition to the style.

“Try finding fabrics that work better for HS patients,” Dr. Riley said. “So, things like cotton or bamboo-based fabrics — these are going to be softer fabrics that have the ability to breathe, as opposed to nylon or polyester.”

If you choose a bra with removable padding and want to replace the padding with dressings, consider purchasing over-the-counter bra liners. Dr. Riley explained that while some people use tissues, paper towels, or other absorbent materials in their bras, liners designed for wound care are generally more effective, though pricier. You may find that wearing loose-fitting clothing over your bra makes you more comfortable and reduces friction.

2. Try HS Clothing

If you are thinking about replacing the removable padding in your bras or have trouble getting adhesive bandages to stick to your skin, consider trying clothing designed for HS.

“When you move, tape can shift,” Dr. Riley explained.“But there are a few clothing options that can be helpful. HidraWear is one product my patients like. It’s HS-specific clothing.”

HidraWear’s founder, Suzanne Moloney, is diagnosed with HS. The company offers washable and reusable garments with special pockets and fasteners for disposable dressings. They offer a few products, but the crop top will likely be most helpful for HS lesions around the breasts.

HidraWear also makes absorptive dressings that go inside a little pocket or sleeve in the clothing. Dr. Riley said you could use other products, but these will likely stay in place because they were designed for HidraWear. She also recommends asking your HS provider to see if the product is covered by your insurance.

“You can purchase it without insurance, but most insurances cover HidraWear clothing, so I recommend trying to get it covered by insurance if possible.” Dr. Riley said.

3. Experiment With Dressings and Adhesives

What works for one person with HS might not work for another. When trying to bandage a tricky area, like HS lesions around your breast, experiment with different products until you find a system that works for you.

“You have the dressing, and then you have the adhesive,” Dr. Riley explained. “In some cases, they can be combined, but most of the time, they are two different things.”

If tape or adhesives irritate your skin, Dr. Riley recommends trying paper tape or Hypafix Dressing Retention Tape, which tends to be gentler. She said you can also try washing the affected areas first.

Here are some wound-cleaning tips:

• Wash your hands first to prevent infection.
• Rinse the wound and surrounding area with warm water.
• Use a gentle soap or cleanser.
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Pat the area dry with a clean towel.
• Avoid using antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide on open wounds, as it can be irritating.

Dr. Riley also recommends trying different methods to secure the dressing. Some types of gauze and absorptive bandages are self-adhesive. If they don’t stick as well as you would like, you can add tape around the dressing to keep it in place. Or, experiment with different adhesives.

“Hypafix is a type of tape that we often recommend,” Dr. Riley said. “It’s like a sticky paper.”

She said some people also use Coban wrap, an over-the-counter self-adhesive bandage, for places like the upper arm or thigh: “It makes it easy because you don’t have to put tape around the dressing. You can put the dressing in place and then wrap it so it stays in that location.”

Members of myHSteam also share tips for wound care around the breasts. Here are a few examples:

• “Brown paper tape doesn’t irritate my skin as much as others.”
• “I use petroleum jelly to keep bandages from sticking to my lesions.”
• “A nice warm compress can be such a lifesaver!”
• “Clean, dry towels or washcloths help. I buy cheap face towels to use for HS flare-ups.”

4. Understand Your Insurance Coverage

You may know the ins and outs of your insurance coverage as it applies to routine health care or treatment options for hidradenitis suppurativa, but what about dressings and bandages? Your insurance company may cover those costs, but you won’t know unless you ask.

“Most insurance companies will cover wound-care supplies,” Dr. Riley said. “I think this is a missed opportunity for many HS patients and dermatologists. It does take a little bit of work on the part of both the patient and the provider, so it’s not a simple thing, but it’s worth asking your dermatologist about.”

Dr. Riley outlined steps you might take:

1. Decide which products you need.
2. Find a wound-care supply company covered by your insurance.
3. Provide the necessary documentation to get those products covered.
4. Receive confirmation that they will be covered.
5. Order and organize delivery.

Your insurance company will likely have its own process and requirements, including proof that the supplies are a necessary part of your treatment plan, so start by giving them a call. You can also ask your dermatologist for help.

“I always tell my patients that if they have a specific type of wound-care dressing that they’re purchasing, we have the ability to help in many cases,” Dr. Riley said. ”We know that we have data to show that patients are spending, in some cases, hundreds of dollars a month on wound care supplies.”

5. Talk to Your Doctor

Your health care provider can help if you have questions about the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa or bandaging HS lesions around your breasts. Take notes as challenges arise so you remember to ask all your questions. Is the adhesive not sticking? Do you need more absorbent dressings? Is the tape irritating hair follicles or cysts or making other HS symptoms worse?

Properly bandaging HS around the breasts is crucial for taking care of the condition and helping it heal. By following the tips in this article, you may feel more comfortable, decrease irritation, and reduce friction in the affected areas. Make sure to pick the right dressings, keep the areas clean, and seek medical advice if necessary.

With careful attention to bandaging methods, you may be able to improve your quality of life while managing the challenges of HS around the breasts.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHSteam, the social network for people with hidradenitis suppurativa, more than 34,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with HS.

Have you had to bandage HS around your breasts? What works for you? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.