Let’s make something crystal clear: HS is not an STD, and it is not contagious.
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Updated 6 years ago,January 23, 2019
Okay, so you have a skin condition.
Certainly, Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a lot of things but it is not a death sentence.
Evan Kirby
you’re able to still live your life once youre diagnosed with HS.
Myth 1: You only have HS because youre a dirty person.
Some people will assume you have HS because youre unclean, which is just not true.
Does cleanliness play a role in managing HS?
Of course it does!
But cleanliness or lack thereof isnt the cause of HS.
Myth 2: You must have HS because youre overweight.
Your weight has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you are living with HS.
Myth 3: Your tight clothes are causing all your flare-ups.
My HS does not always take precedence over what I wear.
Im a girl who likes to look cute, and I sometimes wear tighter clothing.
Both clothing and the absence of clothing can cause bumps when youre living with this condition.
Just as acne affects everyone differently, so does HS.
There are some of us who can wear a snug top thats clean and comfy without experiencing a flare-up.
Myth 4: You must have an STD.
Lets make something crystal clear: HS is not an STD, and it is not contagious.
Sometimes, HS looks terrifying to those who are unfamiliar with the condition.
And when certain people are confronted by something that makes them nervous, they immediately assume the worst.
They might even recoil from your touch and take a stab at avoid you.
Having HS can be extremely intimidating, especially when youre trying to be intimate with another person.
But the fact is that this condition is not something it’s possible for you to give someone else.
And its definitely not something you’re able to contract from sexual activity.
Myth 5: The greasy junk food you eat makes you flare up.
Your diet is important to your overall health whether or not you have HS.
But dont assume that any major dietary changes will significantly alter your condition for better or worse.
Myth 6: You flare up more often because youre a smoker.
I am a former smoker.
I started smoking at a young age, but Ive been smoke-free for over a year now.
Myth 7: What works for one person with HS works for everyone with HS.
As HS patients, we are all different.
Not every treatment works for everyone or is equally effective on everyone.
Not every breakout or bump is because of the same underlying triggers.
