We now offer Telemedicine
The holidays mean parties, travel, and time with family. But if you have hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), they can also mean painful flare-ups that put a damper on the festivities. Rich holiday foods, stress from packed schedules, and long hours in restrictive party clothes can all trigger symptoms.
At Hines Dermatology Associates in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Yvonne Hines, MD, and our clinical team work with HS patients to keep symptoms under control, even during the busiest time of year.
With some planning and the right strategies, you can get through the holidays without letting HS take over.
Hidradenitis suppurativa creates painful lumps and abscesses beneath the skin’s surface. You typically see these develop where skin touches skin — your armpits, groin, under your breasts, or between your buttocks.
HS happens when hair follicles and nearby glands become inflamed, leading to deep nodules that can drain and scar. Most people experience waves of breakouts with quieter periods in between.
Some people face higher odds of developing HS. Factors that can increase your risk include:
The condition shows up more often in women than men, usually starting sometime after puberty. Most people first notice symptoms in their 20s or 30s.
If your parent or sibling has HS, you’re more likely to develop it too.
Carrying extra pounds can make symptoms worse because of increased friction where skin folds meet.
Using tobacco dramatically raises your chances of getting HS and makes the condition more severe when you have it.
Women often see their symptoms worsen around their periods, during pregnancy, or when going through menopause.
Holiday gatherings and travel can aggravate HS, but you can take steps to protect your skin.
Some foods make HS worse for certain people. Dairy, refined sugar, and yeast-heavy foods cause problems most often.
You can still enjoy parties without depriving yourself. Just notice what happens after you eat different dishes. Bring something you know won’t bother your skin, and go easy on foods that might cause issues. Staying hydrated helps your skin stay healthier overall.
Stress is a major HS trigger, and December throws everything at you — endless shopping lists, complicated family situations, overbooked calendars, and money worries.
Make time to decompress. Walk around the block, breathe deeply for a few minutes, or just sit somewhere quiet with your tea. Turn down invitations when your schedule gets overwhelming.
Getting out of your routine makes HS flare-ups more likely. Keep your prescriptions and gentle cleansers in your carry-on bag where you can always grab them.
Choose loose, breathable clothes for long drives or flights. Clean and dry your skin after traveling, particularly in areas where HS develops.
Fitted holiday outfits, rough fabrics, and rigid waistbands can start new HS lesions or make current ones worse. You can still put together a great look.
Go for natural, breathable materials like cotton or bamboo. Find cuts that look good without pressing against areas where you get breakouts.
Waiting until January to deal with symptoms is a mistake. Call our office if you feel more pain, notice swelling, or see new lumps forming.
Stopping a flare-up early beats treating a severe one. Dr. Hines can modify your current treatment or give you backup medications to use if problems develop during the holidays.
Managing hidradenitis suppurativa takes ongoing attention, especially when the holidays throw off your normal routine. Dr. Hines and our team develop personalized approaches that target what triggers your specific symptoms.
Don’t let HS control your holiday season. Call our office in Attleboro at 508-222-1976 today or book your appointment online.
