Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Homeopathic Treatment, Stages, Causes

What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa happens to be a chronic inflammatory condition of the sweat glands (called as apocrine or sebaceous glands) and hair follicles. The apocrine glands are rather found in the axillae (armpits), areola surrounding the nipples as well as anal canal. They do open into the hair follicles. This may present as a group of boils or abscesses.

It is also found in areas of skin, which do come in contact with each other like the submammary folds under the breasts and inner thighs.

There is long-term skin inflammation and it can also be extremely painful.

How is the presentation of Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

The patient of Hidradenitis would be present at any stage.

Stage 1:

In this stage, there is rather a development of multiple areas of inflammation and pus but there is no development of sinus tracts or scar formations.

The patient faces blackheads, red, painful bumps that feel like hardened lumps under the skin. These are indeed the abscesses. Gradually these abscesses do become bigger, break open and there are leakages of pus from these tracts.

Stage 2:

There is the formation of pus in multiple areas, which can rather spread to other areas and form tunnels under one’s skin between the abscesses.

Stage 3:

Along with pus formation and tunnel formations in multiple areas, scarring takes place.

How is the condition diagnosed?

Usually, Hidradenitis suppurativa is diagnosed at later stages. In its early stages, it might get mistaken for boils, carbuncles and other skin infections on account of its look. It is a very painful condition and can also cause disability. However, it is rarely fatal unless the patient is immuno-compromised and if it has other generalized (systemic) infection.

What is the cause and maintaining factors of Hidradenitis suppurativa?

The exact cause of hidradenitis is rather unknown. Certain conditions that do not directly cause Hidradenitis suppurativa but can also worsen it are obesity, stress, the onset of menstrual periods, extreme heat, extreme perspiration, etc.

Who is affected?

It is more common in women as compared to men, African-Americans and people who have suffered from acne earlier. It usually begins after teenage and post-puberty in females.

What is the Treatment for Hidradenitis suppurativa?

In conventional medicine, symptomatic relief is received with the help of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory preparations. This will indeed get rid of the bacteria for the time being but will not reduce the tendency for acne.

The intense pain can indeed be reduced by wearing loose fitting clothes, which will prevent friction.

Since obesity can also worsen the acne problem, losing weight can also help especially in the areas where there is skin-to-skin contact.

In the last stage, it may be necessary to perform surgical procedures in order to drain the infected areas or to remove the scarred tissue, but the surgical procedure should not be undergone unless absolutely necessary.

Homeopathy treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa:

The aim of treatment is to reduce the extent and progression of the disease to bring the patient back to a milder stage.

Homeopathic medicines will definitely enhance the self-healing potential of the individual and help in the healing of one’s ulcers and sinus tracts, treat the existing lesions and also reduces the pain to a great extent. After all, this condition has chronic inflammation, which does need to be addressed by anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicines.

Homeopathic treatment in Hyderabad entails of doing the complete case study of the individual and also asking him various questions in relation to his disease and in relation to the various aspects of his life. After careful study, homeopathic medicine is selected.

Usually, skin diseases happen to be an external manifestation of internal stresses and emotions and homeopathic case taking is able to address these stresses which most of the times are responsible for the continuation and act as trigger factors for any of the skin disease.

Bellis perennis, Belladonna, Hepar sulphuricum., Arnica montana, Silicea, Apis mellifica, Hecla lava, Arsenic album, Phytolacca and Lachesis happen to be some of the common homeopathic remedies that can be indeed useful, but the remedy is provided for only after careful consideration.

Length of Duration of Treatment:

It would depend on various factors:

• Duration of Suffering
• Areas Affected
• Extent of Spread
• Previous Medications

One can probably expect a definite change in about three to five months, depending on the extent as well as severity in his particular case. The total length of medication may be anything between six months to two years or longer.

Why Homeopathic Treatment For Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

The aim of the treatment is to slow down the process of the condition, its extent, and severity. The pain can be controlled as well as reduced.

Homeopathic medicines do enhance the self-healing potential of the individual and help in the healing of the ulcers and sinus tracts, treat the existing lesions and also reduces the pain to a marked degree.