Homeopathic Treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hydradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory condition of the sweat glands (called as apocrine or sebaceous glands) and hair follicles. The apocrine glands are found in the axillae (arm pits), areola surrounding the nipples and anal canal. They open into the hair follicles. This may present as a group of boils or abscesses.
It is also found in areas of skin, which come in contact with each other like the sub mammary folds under the breasts and inner thighs.
There is long-term skin inflammation and it can be extremely painful.
How is the presentation of Hydradenitis Suppurativa?
The patient of Hyradenitis would present at any stage.
Stage 1: In this stage there is development of multiple areas of inflammation and pus but there is no development of sinus tracts or scar formations.
Here the patient presents with blackheads, red, painful bumps that feel like hardened lumps under the skin. These are the abscesses. Gradually these abscesses become bigger, break open and there are leakage of pus from the tracts.
Stage 2: There is formation of pus in multiple areas, which can spread to other areas and form tunnels under the 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 because the presentation is similar. It is very painful condition and can 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 Hydradenitis suppurativa?
The exact cause of hydradenitis is unknown. Certain conditions that do not directly cause Hydradenitis suppurativa but can worsen it are obesity, stress, onset of menstrual periods, extreme heat, extreme perspiration etc.
Who are affected?
It is more common in women as compared to men, African-Americans and people who have had acne in the past. It usually starts after teenage and post puberty in females.
What is the Treatment for Hidradenitis suppurativa?
In conventional medicine, symptomatic relief is achieved with the help of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory preparations. This will kill the bacteria for the time being but will not reduce the tendency for acne.
The intense pain can be reduced by wearing loose fitting clothes, which will prevent friction.
Since obesity can worsen the acne problem, losing weight can help especially in the areas where there is skin-to-skin contact.
In the last stage, it may be necessary to perform surgical procedures to drain the infected areas or to remove the scarred tissue, but the surgical procedure should not be undergone unless absolutely necessary.
Homeopathy treatment:
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 enhance the self-healing potential of the individual and help in the healing of the ulcers and sinus tracts, treat the existing lesions and reduce the pain to a marked degree. After all this condition has chronic inflammation, which needs to be addressed by anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicines.
Homeopathic treatment entails of doing the complete case study of the individual and asking him various questions in relation to his disease and in relation to the various aspects of his life. After careful study a homeopathic medicine is selected.
Usually skin diseases are 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 skin disease.
Bellis perennis, Belladonna, Hepar sulphuricum., Arnica montana, Silicea, Apis mellifica, Hecla lava, Arsenic album, Phytolacca and Lachesis are some of the common homeopathic remedies that can be useful, but the remedy is given only after careful case taking.
Brief indications of the above mentioned remedies:
1) Bellis perennis: Bellis perennis is useful to reduce swelling and tenderness in the affected sweat glands, especially in the armpits and groin. It helps to heal the recurring abscesses with pus discharge. It helps to calm redness and irritation in areas prone to flare-ups, relieving the soreness caused by these cysts. There are hard lumps beneath the skin, this remedy helps alleviate the pain and reduces inflammation. There is a bruised sensation in sensitive areas during outbreaks which is eased with Bellis perennis and promotes skin repair.
2) Belladona: It is indicated when there is extreme redness and warmth, Belladona helps manage cooling down the affected areas. It helps to relieve the throbbing, pulsating pain that comes with swollen nodules, especially when the pain intensifies with movement and pressure. It is indicated when there is sudden and rapid swelling of the sweat glands and provides quick relief from inflammation. The skin is extremely tender to touch helps to reduce the discomfort caused by severe inflammation.
3) Hepar sulphuris calcareum (Hepar Sulph): Hepar sulphuris calcareum promotes drainage of abscesses which are painful and filled with pus, speeding up the healing process. The slightest touch and cold air exacerbate the pain in swollen and inflamed areas. It helps in the natural drainage of pus from skin lesions, reducing sharp, sticking pains. It addresses the tendency of the formation of new boils and helps to break the cycle of recurrent infections and abscess formation.
4) Arnica montana: Arnica montana helps to relieve bruised feelings in tender areas. It aids in repairing the damaged tissue from recurrent boils. The pain in the affected areas is sharp which is worse with movement of the skin or body parts affected by abscesses. It overall supports recovery from skin eruptions and abscess formation. It enhances the body's ability to heal after eruptions and abscesses have formed.
5) Apis mellifica: Apis mellifica helps to reduce the oedematous swelling accompanying the painful nodules and abscesses. There is a burning and stinging sensation in the skin where abscess cysts are formed. The abscesses are red and hot with the sensation of tightness and fullness, Apis helps to reduce pressure. The symptoms are worse in late afternoon or evening and Apis helps to calm the inflammation during these peak hours.
6) Hecla lava: Hecla lava is useful in deep, hardened abscesses that become calcified bone-like, Hecla lava helps in softening and resolution of abscesses. It helps to relieve the sensation of tightness in the skin. It is also useful to address abscesses that leave scar-like tissue preventing further complications. In cases where abscesses are hard and resistant to treatment, Hecla lava helps in long-term healing.
7) Arsenicum album: It is indicated when abscesses and nodules have burning sensations. It helps to alleviate restlessness caused by painful abscesses. It helps to promote the healing of ulcerated abscesses with offensive discharge helps in reducing infection and promotes recovery.
8) Phytolacca: Phytolacca helps to ease the intense pain radiating from deep abscesses. It is useful to drain and heal the abscesses that produce thick, pus-filled discharge reducing infection. There is a raw, sore feeling in ulcerated and broken skin, which helps to soothe the pain and promote healing.
Length Of Duration Of Treatment:
It would depend on various factors:
- Duration Of Suffering
- Areas Affected
- Extent Of Spread
- Previous Medications
One may expect a definite change in about three to five months, depending on the extent and 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 Hydradenitis Suppurativa:
The aim of the treatment is to slow down the process of the condition, its extent, and its severity. The pain can be controlled and reduced.
Homeopathic medicines enhance the self-healing potential of the individual and help in the healing of the ulcers and sinus tracts, treat the existing lesions and reduce the pain to a marked degree.
Written & Approved by-
Dr. Rajesh Shah
M.D. (Hom.)