That sounds really painful, and five months is a long time to be dealing with this — you deserve some relief! Here are some at-home remedies that other myHSteam members and HS resources suggest:
- Apply a warm compress or heating pad directly to the bump for about 10 minutes at a time to help with pain and swelling
- Try Show Full Answer
That sounds really painful, and five months is a long time to be dealing with this — you deserve some relief! Here are some at-home remedies that other myHSteam members and HS resources suggest:
- Apply a warm compress or heating pad directly to the bump for about 10 minutes at a time to help with pain and swelling
- Try an ice pack if the bump is swollen but not close to bursting, or if it recently drained
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to help manage pain and reduce inflammation
- Apply a topical numbing cream containing lidocaine, menthol, benzocaine, or pramoxine for temporary pain relief
- Wash the area daily with an antibacterial cleanser
- Try applying benzoyl peroxide to the lesion at night
- Avoid scented body washes, lotions, or sprays near the area
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce friction and rubbing on your neck Since this bump has lasted since December, it's really important to try to see a doctor when possible. Many areas have community health clinics that offer low-cost or sliding-scale fee care. A bump that has lasted this long, especially if it's getting more painful, redder, or swollen, really does need professional attention.
April 25