Have you ever had a hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) boil that’s looked ready to drain and wondered what you could do to help it along? Some members of myHSteam have asked if toothpaste could work: “Will toothpaste help bring a breakout to a head?,” one member asked.

If you have hidradenitis suppurativa, an inflammatory skin condition that causes painful lumps, it’s important to be careful with home remedies. While there is no cure for HS, treatments can help reduce HS symptoms like pain and pus buildup from lesions. As HS boils grow and become painful, draining them might provide relief.

In this article, we’ll talk about what HS feels like, whether toothpaste is an effective remedy, and what other remedies can be used to help wounds drain.

What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa causes painful lumps under the skin, usually in areas where skin rubs on skin. HS lesions may go away but often come back in the same area or even the same spot. When HS boils and their scars keep coming back, they can form sinus tracts — tunnels under the skin.

HS boils can look like regular acne, cysts, or pimples, but they aren’t the same. HS symptoms usually develop in different areas, such as the groin, buttocks, underarms, or inner thighs, rather than where acne typically appears.

What Do HS Boils Feel Like?

HS is often painful. When an HS lesion fills with pus and bursts, it’s called an abscess. Abscesses may itch or smell bad, and they can leave scars. HS symptoms are not only uncomfortable — they can be embarrassing too. “When I had a boil lanced last week, I had to ask the doctor what the smell was. It was embarrassing to find out it was me,” shared one myHSteam member.

Is Toothpaste a Remedy for HS?

Certain ingredients in toothpaste may sound promising for treating skin problems like HS. However, many can actually cause irritation. For example, baking soda, a common toothpaste ingredient, may do more harm than good for HS. The American Academy of Dermatology warns that baking soda is too harsh for people with HS, leading to skin irritation in the affected area and possibly triggering an HS flare. It’s best to avoid using baking soda on HS wounds.

Triclosan, a common ingredient in toothpaste with proven anti-inflammatory properties, has been studied for its potential effect on HS. In one study, a combination of topical triclosan and oral zinc gluconate (a supplement that provides zinc) significantly decreased new boils and flare-ups in people with mild and moderate HS.

However, because this was a combination treatment, it’s unclear how much benefit triclosan alone provided. Moreover, this was only one small study. More research is needed to determine how effective triclosan can be in helping with HS. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of triclosan.

Fluoride is another common ingredient in toothpaste, but there is little to no research on whether it benefits HS.

All in all, there’s no evidence to suggest that toothpaste helps with HS boils. It’s best to stick with safer, medically recommended treatments, which we discuss in more detail below.

Better Wound Care Options for HS

When HS boils are painful and growing, drawing them out — which means letting them drain — can bring relief. However, trying to force an HS boil to drain by picking at it or squeezing it before it’s ready to drain can make things worse and may lead to skin infection. As one myHSteam member put it, “Treat it like a baby — time, care, patience, love, and something for the pain.”

Gentler self-care remedies, like a warm compress or warm shower, may help.

Warm Compress

Applying a warm compress is a simple, gentle way to help a boil drain. Get a clean washcloth, soak it in warm water, wring it out, and place it on the wound for 10 minutes. Repeat throughout the day to reduce pain and help it drain.

Many myHSteam members report that warm compresses work for them. One member shared, “Most times I use a hot compress to help it drain.”

Another wrote, “I draw the pus out with a clean washcloth. I wet it in hot water, microwave it for about 15 seconds, or as hot as I can stand, then place it on the area. Once the boil opens, I continue to apply it around the area and directly on it to help it drain.”

A third member added, “I use a Bed Buddy. I heat the pack in the microwave for a minute and put it on the area. The weight and pressure might hurt at first, but it helps reduce pain and eventually drain the boil.”

Warm Shower

Taking a warm shower and letting the water hit the boil can also help the boil drain. One myHSteam member said, “It helps to run it under warm water.”

Another shared, “I’ve taken hot showers and just let the water fall over it. Don’t place it directly on the boil, but let the water fall nearby. It will hurt, but it helps the boil reach a point where it can pop and drain.”

Other Remedies myHSteam Members Use

In addition to warm compresses and showers, many myHSteam members have found success with other at-home remedies for drawing out an HS boil:

• “I've found that Prid, a drawing salve, helps bring the boil to a head. It takes a few days, but it does help.”
• “If the sore won’t come to a head, put Vicks VapoRub on it and cover it. That will help with pain and bring the boil to a head.”
• “Epsom salt baths help abscesses drain by softening the skin. They also help with pain relief.”

Be sure to talk to your doctor about any new skin care products you’re considering. It’s also important to read the safety labels on any new products. Many products may not be suitable for use on broken skin.

Treatment Options for HS

Because HS is a recurring condition, meaning lesions keep coming back, dealing with it can feel like a never-ending battle. “When I get a boil, it’s super painful and eventually bursts, but mine never really go away,” a member wrote.

To effectively treat your HS, you will likely need more than just home remedies.

Possible treatments for HS include:

• Medications — Options include biologics, antibiotics, and medicines to regulate hormones.
• Pain management — This can involve over-the-counter pain medications or creams and ointments for pain relief, like lidocaine.
• Lifestyle changes — Reducing the risk of flare-ups may involve losing weight if needed, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and quitting smoking.
• Surgical procedures — Surgery may also be an option. Your dermatologist can provide medical advice on the best way to manage painful abscesses and help prevent new HS wounds from developing.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHSteam, the social 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.

Have you tried using toothpaste on boils? What do you do to manage HS boils? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.