This is Part 2 of a two-part guide. Part 1 covered your daily skin-cleaning routine and protecting the skin around your wounds. Part 2 is all about dressings, choosing the right one and keeping it in place without pain.
If you live with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), you know that dressings can be one of the hardest parts of daily life. They leak, they slip, and pulling off sticky tape can really hurt. This guide explains hidradenitis suppurativa wound care in plain words and shows how the right dressing system can make a real difference.
Choosing the right dressing
Open and draining HS wounds need a dressing that can soak up fluid and keep you comfortable. The right dressing will:
- Absorb fluid so it does not leak onto your clothes
- Protect the skin around the wound
- Help control smell
- Cushion the area to reduce pain
Some dressings hold more fluid than others. Superabsorbent dressings are made to soak up large amounts of fluid, so they are often a good choice for HS. A more absorbent dressing means fewer changes, which saves time and stress.
A word of caution: everyday items like sanitary pads, nappies, or incontinence pads are not made for wounds. They often leak, slip, and feel uncomfortable. A proper wound dressing is a much better choice.
Try to avoid home remedies like essential oils, talc, or olive oil, as these can irritate open skin.
The hardest part: keeping dressings in place
This is one of the biggest challenges in HS. The armpits, groin, and other skin folds are warm, hairy, and always moving, which makes it really hard to keep a dressing stuck down.
Many people try to fix this with:
- Strong sticky tapes — but these can tear the skin and cause painful MARSI (skin tearing from adhesive)
- Bandages or netting — but these are fiddly to put on by yourself
- Tight sports clothes or shapewear — but these can squeeze the wound and hurt
None of these were designed for HS, so they often let you down.
Helpful tip: try not to shave or wax the area, as this can irritate the skin. Trimming the hair short is a safer option.
How HidraWear was made for HS
HidraWear is a dressing system designed especially for people with hidradenitis suppurativa. It was created to solve the exact problems above, leaking, slipping, and painful dressing removal.
HidraWear has three parts:
- A soft, breathable baselayer that looks like normal clothing. It comes as crop tops, T-shirts, and briefs that cover the armpits, under the breasts, the groin, and the bottom — the areas most affected by HS. There are sizes for both men and women.
- A soft, absorbent dressing that soaks up fluid from your wounds.
- A SecureLock fastener that holds the dressing firmly in place, without any sticky adhesive on your skin.
Because no sticky tape touches your skin, HidraWear helps avoid the painful skin tearing (MARSI) that so many people with HS dread. It is also designed to be easy to put on and take off by yourself, so you can manage your own care at home.
What the research showed
In a study of 15 women with HS using HidraWear over 21 days, people reported:
- Much less pain at dressing changes (pain scores dropped from 5.5 out of 10 down to just 0.8 out of 10)
- A better quality of life, including being more able to work, study, and enjoy relationships
- More body confidence and trust that the dressing would stay put
- Less time spent managing their wounds
- Less stretching and twisting to reach the area, and no need for a mirror
The study found that a dressing system made just for HS can really cut down pain and improve daily life.
You don’t have to manage alone
Living with HS is hard work, and the daily routine can feel like a lot. A few gentle reminders:
- A wound care specialist can be a big help, especially for fast relief from pain, leaking, and smell.
- Changing your own dressings can help you feel clean and confident, but you do not have to do everything alone.
- Reach out to your healthcare team whenever you need support.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I change my HS dressing?
It depends on how much fluid your wound makes, but at least once a day. Your nurse can help you find the right routine.
Why do my dressings keep falling off?
HS often affects warm, moving, hairy areas where dressings struggle to stay put. A system like HidraWear holds dressings in place without sticky tape, which can help a lot.
Do I have to use sticky tape?
No. Strong adhesives can tear the skin and cause pain. Non-sticky options, like the HidraWear system, are designed to avoid this.
What are the best dressings for hidradenitis suppurativa?
Absorbent dressings that soak up fluid and protect the skin work well. A system made just for HS, like HidraWear, also solves the problem of keeping dressings in place.
Conclusion
Good hidradenitis suppurativa wound care comes down to two things: choosing a dressing that absorbs fluid, and keeping it in place without hurting your skin. For many people, sticky tapes and everyday pads simply do not work. That is exactly why HidraWear was created, a gentle, adhesive-free system made just for HS, to help reduce pain, prevent leaks, and give you back your confidence.
To learn more, talk to your healthcare team or visit www.hidrawear.com
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor, nurse, or wound care specialist about your own care.
