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Some people notice that caffeine makes their hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) symptoms worse. “I have found that certain foods and caffeine trigger a flare-up,” shared a myHSteam member. “I discovered I was sensitive a couple of years ago, recently quit caffeine, and it has helped.”
Read more to find out if it’s safe to drink coffee and other caffeinated beverages with HS.
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There’s no one-size-fits-all rule about caffeine and HS. How much caffeine is OK for you may be too much for someone else. Here are some ways caffeine could affect HS and how to decide if you should cut back.
Experts aren’t exactly sure what causes HS. But hormones are believed to play a role in the disease. Very high amounts of caffeine can affect various hormones throughout the body, including stress hormones, like cortisol, and certain sex hormones. If too much caffeine is throwing off your body’s natural hormonal balance, it could impact HS and other health conditions.
Caffeine is a stimulant that increases alertness. But when consumed too close to bedtime, caffeine can keep you awake at night. Caffeine delays melatonin, which is a hormone that signals your body when it’s time to fall asleep. Normal sleep routines are disrupted, and the quality of sleep is reduced, so you don’t feel rested.
Not getting enough sleep can make life harder with HS. Lack of sleep has a negative impact on both physical and mental health. It also promotes inflammation, which is a key driver of hidradenitis suppurativa flare-ups.
Whether or not you have HS, too much caffeine can have negative health impacts. You might find yourself feeling anxious or jittery, or you might even experience heart palpitations when your caffeine intake is too high.
Caffeine can also have a negative effect on other health conditions you may have in addition to HS. These include:
You should also avoid high levels of caffeine if you’re nursing or pregnant.
Some people are sensitive to the negative effects of caffeine. But if you’re consuming caffeine along with added sugar or dairy products, it’s possible that those ingredients are making your HS symptoms worse.
Common sources of caffeine are coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks, and soda. If you add cream to your coffee or drink sugary sodas, the high-fat dairy or concentrated sugar could be behind worsening HS lesions on your inner thighs, buttocks, and other common areas.
“Both dairy and caffeine are my triggers, so I stay away from them,” said a member of myHSteam.
Another wrote, “My HS is mostly linked to drinking dark sodas, some teas, and anything with caffeine … I can eat dark chocolate (if I need a chocolate fix), but not milk chocolate. No Pepsi, but I can drink Dr Pepper with no problem.”
Another member said they’re sensitive to coffee itself. “I did a couple of food intolerance tests and found out it was my daily coffee intake. Not the caffeine, the coffee bean. It caused both skin issues and stomach problems. Both have cleared up pretty well in the last three weeks since I stopped drinking coffee.”
If you consume caffeine regularly, cutting back isn’t always easy. Your body can become dependent on caffeine, and you may have withdrawal symptoms without it. Luckily, these are temporary. Symptoms can range from irritability to fatigue and nausea.
“I have a feeling caffeine is one of my triggers, but I’m over here in denial because I love my coffee. 🫣 Going to try to cut back to one or two a week versus one a day 🤞,” wrote a myHSteam member.
A daily cup of coffee can feel like a necessary part of your routine. You can try cutting back on caffeine gradually by reducing your portions of caffeinated products or switching to decaffeinated coffee and other beverages like herbal tea.
Everyone with HS is different, so you’ll need to explore what works best for you. Ask your healthcare provider for guidance about caffeine and other diet questions. They can make a referral to a registered dietitian who can help you make dietary changes to support your overall health.
On myHSteam, people share their experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
How does caffeine affect your HS symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.
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