Have you ever noticed that your hidradenitis suppurativa (also called acne inversa or HS) symptoms get worse after you sweat? That’s because there’s a connection between HS and sweating.

If you think sweating is making your HS worse or causing it to flare, here’s what you need to know about why this happens and what you can do to manage it.

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Sweating and HS

Getting too hot and sweaty often makes HS symptoms worse or causes a flare, if you aren’t experiencing symptoms at the time. Sweating is one of many common triggers that can cause HS flares, especially in areas of your body with a lot of sweat glands, like your armpits and inner thighs.

Health experts believe that sweat may cause clogs in your hair follicles, which can lead to HS symptoms like boils, inflammation, abscesses, lesions, cysts, and more. If sweat is a trigger for you, it’s key to avoid sweating too much.

How To Avoid HS Flares From Sweating

There are several ways to limit how much you sweat or to manage the situation when you do sweat. If you love to exercise and use it to keep your quality of life and sense of well-being high, don’t worry. There are ways to exercise even when you’re trying to limit how much you sweat.

Check Your Clothing

The clothes you wear can make a big difference in how much you sweat and whether that sweat sits on your body or gets wicked away. If you can, wear baggy, loose-fitting clothes made from moisture-wicking fabrics instead of tight clothing. These are designed to move sweat away from your skin so your body stays dry, even while you’re working out. Materials that breathe, like cotton, will also help you stay cool and dry.

Wash Right Away

If you like sweaty exercise, like hot yoga or running, wash your body right away when you’re finished. If you can’t do that because you’re at the gym or you need to go somewhere else, find wipes that don’t cause irritation and use those wherever you sweat the most. Wiping the sweat away quickly may help you avoid complications.

Choose Different Exercises

Some exercises are less conducive to sweating than others. Activities like weightlifting, regular yoga, stretching, and even swimming can allow you to get the workout you need with a lot less sweating.

Time Your Outdoor Exposure

Sometimes, exercising when it’s cooler outside can help you avoid sweating so much. You may need to change your schedule so you can work out early in the morning or later in the evening, depending on the outdoor temperatures and where you live. If that’s not an option or it doesn’t help enough, try working out indoors instead, preferably somewhere with good air conditioning so it’s always cool.

Address Sweating at the Source

If you’ve tried these suggestions and are still getting HS flare-ups from sweat, talk to your doctor. They can prescribe powerful antiperspirants and medications that will help you sweat less. Since these antiperspirants and medications often have side effects, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to get medical advice and find the treatment option that’s best for you.

You and your doctor can come up with a treatment plan, and they can offer strategies to help keep your HS under control.

Join the Conversation

On myHSteam, people share their experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

How does sweating affect hidradenitis suppurativa for you? Let others know in the comments below.