Great question — finishing a course of prednisone and doxycycline doesn't mean the pain management toolkit is empty! There are several options to help keep discomfort at bay after completing those medications.
Over-the-counter options that can help include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) — helpful for general pain relief, but Show Full Answer
Great question — finishing a course of prednisone and doxycycline doesn't mean the pain management toolkit is empty! There are several options to help keep discomfort at bay after completing those medications.
Over-the-counter options that can help include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) — helpful for general pain relief, but be careful not to exceed the recommended dose as too much can affect your liver
- Ibuprofen (Advil) — up to 800mg every six hours can be used intermittently for inflammation and pain
- Lidocaine ointment (up to 5%) — available at most pharmacies, this can be applied every 3–4 hours to target specific painful areas
- Vicks VapoRub — some people with HS find this surprisingly helpful for localized pain relief It's really important to keep up with dermatologist appointments even after finishing a treatment course. HS is a long-term condition, and staying in contact with your doctor means you can adjust your plan as needed — rather than waiting until a bad flare hits.
If over-the-counter options aren't cutting it, a dermatologist can discuss short-term prescription pain relief or other treatment options to stay ahead of symptoms.
September 3
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