Hidradenitis suppurativa is an uncomfortable and often unsightly condition of generally the armpits and groins. Pores become blocked and inflamed causing boils. It is officially regarded as having an unknown cause with no medication available, and therefore the only option given is to live with it or have the boils surgically removed. This will usually remove sweat glands and lymph nodes.
I was diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa in approximately 2006, that is 12 years ago at time of writing. However my experience of it is much different to what I was told by my GP.
At the time the boils began, I had stopped wearing regular deodorant 2-3 years previously and moved over to a more natural ‘Toms of Maine’ deodorant and then a potassium alum deodorant stone. I had been on a camping trip and forgotten my deo stone so I used my previous Toms roll on which I found in my camper from before. Within a day my left armpit flared up with boils which led me to go to the docs. He disregarded my story of how they came up so quickly after using an old ‘natural’ deodorant and said if anything was to blame it was shaving (which I had done for 25 years without problems). I either had to live with it or have surgery. Great – thanks doc!
So I lived with it for a while but noticed now and then the boils would flare up and itch so I began squeezing them and sometimes stale-smelling dried white powder would come out. Then they would get inflamed so as much as I wanted to clear this white stuff out, I didn’t do it often as I was worried it would just cause trauma to the area.
If you have read the article in my own journey, you will know that I had a breast cancer scare in 2016, after finding a large lump in my left breast. This was very concerning due to the lumps in my left armpit and sure enough, the thermography images showed chronic lymph blockage and activity under both armpits and down into the breast on both sides but markedly worse on the left.
Part of my protocol for moving myself away from cancer rather than towards it was lymph work. This involved taking Essiac tea every night, and some lymph release work such as drainage massage and rebounding. The boils began to get worse so I began squeezing them as that is what it felt like they needed and more of this white stuff came out each time. These flare ups were every 1-2 weeks now. The more white stuff that came out the more it smelt like stale anti-perspirant deodorant, though I hadn’t worn any commercial deodorants for years (admittedly I did wear a lot when I did wear it).
After about 2 months I went for my usual I kinesiology checkup and discovered I had aluminium toxicity. I explain this in my breath cancer journey, too. As I had previously had hair mineral tests without any sign of aluminium, this was a new toxicity that was in circulation, however the hair mineral test would not have picked up a toxicity that was lodged in the body, only that which circulates and therefore can be deposited on the hair shafts. I was given a homeopathic remedy based on aluminium to assist the essiac in clearing the lymphs. A month later, a follow-up thermography scan confirmed the lymph activity (and activity linked to cancer) had all greatly reduced.
Now we know that aluminium is the basis of commercial Anti-perspirants and deodorants and this is what I believe was happening. Years of Anti-perspirant use had blocked my lymphs right down to the sides of my breasts and now I had began clearing work it was being released!
Now, at time of writing my boils have gone apart from a little scaring! The thermography images around the armpits are clear and show normal activity and I have not had to go through surgery!
MY ADVICE
My advice based upon my own experience is first to cut out commercial deodorant. We use it to cover up the very smell that the lymph blockages are causing which is caused by the anti-perspirant in the first place! Yes you will smell more often as your body detox but using a natural deodorant such as a stone will help with that – and it won’t last.
Also take some essiac tea to assist the lymphs clearing.
Make sure you exercise/move regularly rebounding on a mini trampoline is perfect.
Look up some self lymph drainage massage techniques. A good book is Breast Health by Brian Butler.
Use a hot flannel soaked in Epsom salts to help draw out the impurities. (I did this a few times and it was very soothing)
Drink more water.
Use an exfoliating sponge for washing your armpits.
When the boils have cleared and things calmed down, check your armpits regularly. Nip any new activity in the bud and gently squeeze out any new blockages (some of my pores appear to have stretched and fluff from clothing can get in).
Don’t sweat – you’ll be fine 🙂 (actually DO sweat as it’s healthy to – but that wouldn’t have been a good pun!)