Dante Carrillo
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), or acne inversa, is a chronic skin condition that causes inflamed skin lesions or sores, typically in areas of the body with sweat glands, such as the underarms. While there is no cure or specific diet for HS, dietary changes can help control inflammation and reduce flares in some patients. Research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, anti-inflammatory diets, and weight loss may help reduce symptoms, while dairy, processed foods, and sugary foods may exacerbate them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dietary impact | Research suggests that diet can impact HS symptoms. |
| Food sensitivities | Food sensitivities may be a topic to discuss with a dermatologist. |
| Vitamin and mineral supplements | Some supplements may benefit people with HS, but side effects are possible. |
| Weight loss | Losing weight can significantly lower symptoms. |
| Inflammation | Anti-inflammatory foods may help ease symptoms. |
| Specific diets | The Mediterranean diet may be beneficial. |
| Sugar and refined carbs | These may increase inflammation and lead to flare-ups. |
| Dairy | Eliminating dairy may help lower symptoms. |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | May help lower inflammation. |
| Fibre | May help improve symptoms. |
| High-fat diets | May exacerbate symptoms. |
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What You'll Learn
Weight loss can improve symptoms
Research suggests that obesity is a risk factor for developing HS, and weight loss can significantly lower symptoms. A 2019 review found that a dairy-free diet may reduce the severity of HS. Dairy products may raise hormone levels, leading to HS symptoms. Additionally, eliminating brewer's yeast from the diet has been shown to improve HS symptoms in 70% of cases, possibly due to reduced inflammation.
An anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, may be beneficial for HS. This diet emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods, especially plant-based options, which promote diverse gut bacteria and improve overall health. The Mediterranean diet is rich in anti-inflammatory foods, including olive oil, fish, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, and may help manage HS symptoms.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna, can also help reduce inflammation and potentially soothe HS symptoms. Additionally, vitamin and mineral supplements, specifically zinc and vitamin D, may be beneficial for people with HS, as deficiencies in these nutrients are common.
While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for HS, dietary changes can play a crucial role in managing symptoms. It is important to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to determine the best dietary approach for an individual's specific needs and to ensure adequate nutrient intake.
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Anti-inflammatory foods can reduce flare-ups
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition that affects areas of the body with sweat glands, such as the underarms. It causes deep, inflamed skin lesions or sores that resemble boils. While there is no cure for this condition, dietary measures may help soothe symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
Research suggests that an anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce flare-ups in people with HS. An anti-inflammatory diet is an eating plan designed to reduce inflammation in the body. This can lessen the severity of inflammation and lower the risk of HS flare-ups.
The Mediterranean diet is one example of an anti-inflammatory diet that has been shown to improve HS symptoms. This diet focuses on whole, minimally processed foods, especially those that are plant-based. It encourages diverse gut bacteria, which is beneficial for health and immunity. It includes foods such as fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, fish, seafood, and extra virgin olive oil.
In addition to following an anti-inflammatory diet, there are certain foods that may be helpful to include in your diet to reduce HS flare-ups. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help to lower inflammation in the body. This includes foods such as fish and seafood. Vitamin and mineral supplements, particularly zinc and vitamin D, may also be beneficial for people with HS, as they are often deficient in these nutrients.
There are also certain foods that may trigger HS flare-ups and should be avoided. These include dairy products, sugary foods, and refined, simple carbohydrates, which can cause a spike in blood glucose and trigger inflammation. Alcohol is also known to be inflammatory and can worsen HS symptoms. Brewer's yeast, which is commonly found in pastries and fermented beverages, should also be avoided as it can trigger acne and HS.
It is important to note that everyone's body is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all diet for HS. Keeping a food journal can help identify specific triggers and work with a healthcare professional to determine the best dietary approach for managing HS symptoms.
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Dairy, sugar, and processed foods may worsen symptoms
While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), certain dietary changes may help reduce symptoms. Dairy products, for instance, may raise levels of certain hormones that trigger HS symptoms. Limited research has shown that eliminating dairy may help lower symptoms in some people.
Sugary foods and refined, simple carbohydrates can also cause a spike in blood glucose, which may trigger inflammation and worsen symptoms. It may be beneficial to limit simple carbohydrates and foods high in added sugars.
Processed foods may also exacerbate HS symptoms. The Mediterranean diet, which focuses on whole, minimally processed foods, especially plant-based ones, may be a good option for people with HS. This diet encourages diverse gut bacteria, which is beneficial for health and immunity. It includes fibre- and nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, lean protein, and healthy fats.
Overall, an anti-inflammatory diet that is high in antioxidant-rich foods is recommended for managing HS. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna, are an important component of an anti-inflammatory diet and may help reduce inflammation in the body.
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Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin supplements may help
While there is no one diet for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), research shows that omega-3 fatty acids may help lower inflammation in the body, which could prevent or soothe symptoms of HS such as inflamed sores. Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for their health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health and brain function. They have also been shown to improve other inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis and acne.
Further research is needed to confirm the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for HS, but some people with HS have reported improvements in their symptoms when taking omega-3 supplements, also known as fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found naturally in some foods, such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, trout, etc.), shellfish, walnuts, eggs, yogurt, juices, milk, and soy beverages.
In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, certain vitamin and mineral supplements may benefit people with HS. People with HS are more likely to have low blood levels of zinc and vitamin D, and supplementing with these nutrients may help lower symptoms. Vitamin D is known to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of growth and death of skin cells.
It is important to note that everyone's body is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing HS through diet. It is always recommended to speak with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making any significant dietary changes or taking supplements to ensure that you are getting all the necessary nutrients and to avoid any potential side effects or interactions with medications.
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Consult a doctor before making dietary changes
While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), dietary changes may help soothe symptoms and prevent flare-ups. It is important to consult a doctor or dermatologist before making dietary changes to treat HS, as they can help determine the best way to work diet into your treatment plan. The type of HS you have, your overall health, and whether you have any food sensitivities or deficiencies will play a role in determining the best dietary approach for you.
Registered dietitians can guide you in planning an anti-inflammatory diet that is tailored to your individual needs and can help identify which foods are triggers for your symptoms. For example, some people with HS have found that eliminating dairy, gluten, brewer's yeast, and alcohol from their diets improved their symptoms. Additionally, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin D, and fibre may help to reduce inflammation and balance blood sugar and hormone levels.
It is important to note that dietary changes should not replace any medical treatments recommended by your doctor, such as antibiotics, laser treatments, or surgery. While dietary changes may help manage symptoms, they are not a cure for HS.
In addition to diet, other lifestyle factors such as smoking and physical activity can also impact HS symptoms. It is important to address these factors alongside dietary changes to effectively manage HS.
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Frequently asked questions
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also known as acne inversa, is a chronic skin condition that causes inflamed skin lesions or sores, often in areas of the body with sweat glands, such as the underarms.
While there is no one-size-fits-all diet for HS, research suggests that dietary changes can help reduce inflammation and ease symptoms. An anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and fatty fish, is recommended by some experts.
Foods that are high in sugar and heavily processed, as well as dairy products and brewer's yeast, may trigger flare-ups or worsen symptoms. Alcohol should also be avoided or limited as it is known to be inflammatory.
Some research suggests that people with HS may have low levels of zinc and vitamin D. Supplementing with these nutrients may help reduce symptoms. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may also be beneficial due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
