By Ronny Maye ·Updated March 27, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… “It’s like giving birth.”
That was the only way to describe the amount of blood that drained from a boil that started out small, but grew rapidly in my groin. It prevented me from walking or sitting comfortably during a 6.5-hour road trip. Instead, I found myself alternating between standing up in the Sprinter van or lying face down across a row of seats like those girls in three times higher than other ethnicities, but it’s also average of ten years for a person to receive an HS diagnosis. Understanding this timeline can motivate individuals to seek medical advice sooner and advocate for proper diagnosis.
The pain and struggles of HS are something Joy Wilkerson can also relate to. The mom was diagnosed in 2016 after the birth of her son. She believed a painful cyst in her groin area was the result of an ingrown hair. Once she began to get recurring cysts, she knew it was time to seek medical attention. Recurring cysts in these regions are tell-tale signs that something may be going on, according to Chappell.
Getty Images HS Beyond the PainLike most health conditions, this one has good days and bad days, which can negatively affect quality of life.
“When there is an active flare-up, it hurts to do basic things like wearing a supportive bra or doing simple chores like washing the dishes,” Wilkerson shares.
And, as you can imagine, a condition with unknown causes and a myriad of triggers ranging from eating tomatoes and drinking wine to stress and friction can impact other things like one’s sex life, mental health, and body image. My skin has changed a lot. I have a lot of permanent scarring and discoloration in some areas. It even affects the clothes I wear. Because I travel a lot, I’ve started buying a lot of moisture-wicking and odor-controlled clothing so that if any drainage or leakage happens, I’m not emitting any pungent smells to people nearby. I lean more towards prints and darker hues so that if an abscess leaks, the pus or blood isn’t visible.
Primarily experiencing HS in her armpit, Wilkerson also has moments of feeling more self-conscious. “I tend only to buy and wear clothing that hides my underarms, and I make sure not to lift my arms too high if I’m wearing a tank top or swimwear.”
I’ve had to change everything from the types of soap, body wash, and perfume I use down to my choice of bedding and laundry detergent. This condition truly affects everything.
There Is HopeThere is no cure for Hidradenitis Suppurativa, only treatment, which can range from antibiotics, steroid injections, and topical creams to surgery in more severe cases. Another form of treatment is learning what the triggers are to help mitigate flare-ups.
As a girl who loves an Old Fashion and a French 75 alongside a charcuterie board, I’ve been managing triggers through elimination dieting to learn what my body can and cannot tolerate. I’m still enjoying all the things I love, just in different ways.
I’m also better prepared these days for when a cyst may rupture unexpectedly. The first thing I pack now if I’m leaving my house, whether it’s for a few hours or a trip, is a “go-kit.” It contains everything I could need to manage a flare-up, such as a skin salve, antiseptic wipes, an antibacterial cream, gauze, bandages, or a wound wash.
Despite how HS impacts your day-to-day life, there is hope. “Science continues to advance treatment options for HS,” says Chappell. “So don’t hesitate to see a dermatologist to discuss your options.”
TOPICS: health and wellness Prevent and ProtectThe post ‘When There’s an Active Flare-Up, It Hurts To Do Basic Things’: What It’s Like Living With HS appeared first on Essence.