Great question! You're right that GLP-1s aren't FDA-approved for HS specifically, but there's growing interest in whether they might help. A survey of myHSteam members who were already taking GLP-1s (for other reasons) gave some interesting insights.
Of those who responded:
- 63% said GLP-1s helped reduce their HS Show Full Answer
Great question! You're right that GLP-1s aren't FDA-approved for HS specifically, but there's growing interest in whether they might help. A survey of myHSteam members who were already taking GLP-1s (for other reasons) gave some interesting insights.
Of those who responded:
- 63% said GLP-1s helped reduce their HS symptoms
- 26% saw benefits for weight or blood sugar but no change in HS
- A small number felt their HS may have gotten worse Here's what some myHSteam members shared about their experiences:
- One myHSteam member said their HS improved so much they could wear a tank top for the first time in two decades
- Another myHSteam member noted fewer and smaller flares, with bumps going down without bursting
- One myHSteam member lost 55 pounds on a GLP-1 but saw little difference in their HS Early research does show some promise. One small study found that people using semaglutide experienced HS flares every 12 weeks, compared to every 8.5 weeks before starting it. The anti-inflammatory effects of GLP-1s, combined with potential weight loss, may help reduce friction and inflammation — both key factors in HS flare-ups.
That said, bigger studies are still needed, and results vary from person to person. It's worth having a conversation with your dermatologist to see if a GLP-1 might make sense as part of your overall treatment plan.
June 12
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