Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations.
Hidradenitis suppurativa wound care promotes healing and prevents infection. Here's how to give your wounds some TLC.
Wound care is an important part of treating hidradenitis suppurativa. You might be dealing with the condition's deep, draining wounds. Or maybe you have wounds from surgery to remove tunnels from under your skin. All wounds need proper care to speed healing, prevent infections and reduce unpleasant odor.
General guidelines are to keep a wound clean and covered by a bandage (dressing). But how to best care for a wound depends on how severe it is, how deep it is, and whether it's wet or dry.
Talk with your doctor about what's most appropriate for your wounds. It can help to understand the process, materials and options your doctor might recommend.
There are three main steps in wound care.
The right dressing type for you depends, in part, on the amount of moisture that your wound needs to heal.
These include:
Options include:
When choosing a dressing, other considerations are:
To cover your wounds and secure dressings without further injuring your skin:
You might need to change your dressings as you heal. But it's important not to irritate the wound, so your doctor may recommend you change the dressings only daily or every other day.
Keep an eye out for any signs of infection. Call your doctor if you develop a fever or notice significant swelling or pain, spreading redness, bleeding that won't stop, or drainage that isn't clear.
It may seem like a lot of work. But keeping your hidradenitis suppurativa wounds clean, covered and cared for can speed healing — allowing you to focus more on life, and less on your skin.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.
At Mayo Clinic, our benefactors play a crucial role in our work. Make a gift today to discover more cures and save more lives.