5 Tiny Habits That Help Ease My HS Symptoms!
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(Because Big Change Starts with Small Steps)
Living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) sometimes feels like juggling flaming swords while walking barefoot on Legos. The pressure to fix everything overnight? Exhausting and overwhelming, making it hard to even start.
The truth is, I’ve found the biggest shift in my day-to-day comfort didn’t come from a dramatic lifestyle flip, it came from integrating a few small, non-negotiable habits. These tiny tweaks require minimal effort but offer major cumulative benefits for my skin and my sanity.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are five little things I do every day that genuinely help ease my HS symptoms.
Let me break them down for you. ✨👇🏾
1. Natural Fibers Over Synthetic Fabrics
I used to think leggings and cute undies were harmless…until I realized they were basically petri dishes for flares. Remember that feeling of constantly being irritated, like your clothes were just itching to cause a flare? For me, a huge part of that was synthetic fabrics. I've completely swapped them out for natural fibers wherever possible.
A quick note on this: I am absolutely not telling you to quit leggings! They exist in natural fibers (I own cotton leggings myself). Switching your whole wardrobe takes time and money, so when I first started, I focused on making sure at least 55% of the fabric was a natural fiber. Always check the tag before purchasing!
- Why it works: Materials like 100% cotton, bamboo, and linen let your skin breathe like it’s supposed to. They allow air to circulate, reducing heat and moisture buildup in sensitive areas where HS thrives. Synthetic fabrics (like polyester) trap moisture and increase friction, a recipe for pain, inflammation and discomfort. Making this switch has been a game changer.
Bonus: You’ll look AND feel good in those breezy linen pants.
2. My Shower Switch-Up
Look, I love a hot shower. Especially after a long day. But my HS skin? Not so much (a once-in-a-blue-moon hot shower is fine). This one sound so simple, but it makes a world of difference: I ditched the steaming hot water and opted for a gentler approach.
- Why it works: Hot water strips your skin’s natural oils, weakens the barrier, and triggers inflammation. Now, I stick to warm water and a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. This simple switch helps protect my skin barrier, calms redness, and prevents that tight, itchy feeling that often leads to a flare. Think: clean, not scorched. It’s about cleansing effectively without triggering a stress response in your skin.
3. The Hydration Hack: Water Before Coffee (Yes, even on mondays)
I know it’s tempting to reach for that coffee first thing, but I’ve made it a habit to drink a big glass of water before anything else touches my lips. Sometimes I'll even add a squeeze of fresh lemon!
- Why it works: Starting your day with water helps to flush out inflammation and hydrate your skin from the inside out. Our bodies are constantly working to detoxify, and proper hydration supports all those processes. When your body is well-hydrated, your skin’s barrier function is stronger, making it more resilient against irritants and less prone to inflammation. It’s like giving your system a gentle, internal cleanse right from the start. Bonus points for adding a squeeze of lemon or a splash of chlorophyll.
Small shift. Big impact. Glowing skin. Less flare drama.
4. Bacteria-Be-Gone Linens
This one right here? Slept on, literally. 😅 This habit has been a real game-changer: I now change my pillowcases and towels much more frequently than I used to. I essentially treat my HS-affected skin like I’d treat a fresh tattoo with constant cleanliness and gentle care.
- Why it works: Pillowcases and towels collect bacteria, skin cells, and residue from skincare products and even old detergents (more on that later!) … the works. For HS skin, this buildup can be a breeding ground for irritation and infection. I now treat my pillowcases and towels like a skincare step: swap them out regularly, especially after a flare or sweaty day. It's about proactive hygiene to prevent unnecessary triggers.
Think of it as setting the scene for healing. Like laying out a clean altar for your skin.
5. Changing Your Laundry Soap
When I first started making changes to manage my HS, I focused mostly on diet and body products. But it wasn’t until I switched to non-toxic laundry care that I noticed a real difference in how my skin felt between washes. Less itchiness. Fewer random flare-ups in areas that used to constantly feel inflamed.
But let me be honest: making the change was not easy. I love to smell good. I love for my clothes to smell yummy and delicious! Trust me when I say traditional detergents and fabric softeners had a chokehold over my life. It took YEARS to find what works for me and my skin. I didn't think it was possible to stop using the standard commercially available products and still get great-smelling clothes straight out of the wash.
But here is the good news: it is absolutely possible! Not only can you ditch the irritating chemicals, but you also have the power and the chance to create your own signature fragrance. Essential oils are some of our most underrated best friends in this process. It’s one of those small lifestyle tweaks that adds up, and it reminded me that healing really is holistic. (For a deep dive, check out my full post:) Is Your Laundry Detergent Making Your Hidradenitis Suppurativa Worse? )
Bonus Tip: Drink an Anti-Inflammatory Shot Daily!
This isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerful daily ritual for me. Getting a consistent dose of anti-inflammatory ingredients helps support my body from the inside out. I've found that regularly sipping on my homemade anti-inflammatory shot helps keep systemic inflammation at bay, which is crucial for managing HS.
- Why it works: HS is an inflammatory condition, so actively working to reduce inflammation throughout your body can significantly impact flare frequency and severity.
- Ready to try it? I wrote all about my favorite recipe and how it helps me here: [Here]
Start Small, Stay Consistent
You don't have to start all five of these today. Pick just one or two that resonate and commit to doing them consistently for a week. Big relief isn't just about big actions; it's about the small, kind, consistent choices you make every day to support your skin.
Which tiny habit will you try first?
You don’t have to try all five today. Pick one that resonates and build from there.
Healing isn’t about doing everything perfectly; it’s about doing something consistently. These tiny habits reminded me that I wasn’t powerless.
Happy Healing 💜💜💜