HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Hidradenitis Suppurativa In An Elderly Person

default
Posted on Tue, 24 Jan 2017
Question: I am almost 66 and have had a first onset hidradentitis suppurativa and much worsening of psorrisis many areas of body which is also this level of psorrisis is new to me. I have been getting light therapy for it which helped many years ago in the past.

I seem to recall reading that beta blockers could cause both of these situations , and indeed this has happened since taking carvedilol. I see infection disease for f/u on the hidradentitis supprative and have been on doxycycline 100 bid almost 2 mos. It seemed to help a little but about Christmas that all changed and I now have cysts under both arms which is worse as it had been only one underarm. I am in the process of cutting out white flour and sugar to minimal levels and lose weight. I

I read also that weight loss might help h. s. and I want and need to lose weight anyway. I had a complex ankle fx with involved surgery to repair/ reconstruct as this was an ankle that already had screws and nuts in it from a former complex fracture . That was about a year and a half ago , then many months p t rehab and during this time I was very much less active I packed on about 25 lbs. Anyway I this week have been very very good at doing what works for losing weight ... diet and activity wise. I think excess wt. is a risk with h.s as with blood pressure etc.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Weight loss it's the best improvement you can do for yourself- keep going

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for using HCM to post your question.
I read it carefully and I understand your concern.

There is no evidence that Beta-blockers aggravate hydradenitis.
It is clear though that losing weight will help you a lot improve. Some other things that will help are smoking cessation if you smoke, reducing heat- sweating- friction in affected areas.

Doxacylcine is given as maintenance therapy, which means for long times, if you were in an advanced stage of hydradenitis when this started. But if during Doxacylcine you got worse at some point, then you should see your doctor again because when there are flare-ups should be given other antibiotics or higher doses.

Hope this is helpful and answers your questions.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer.

Regards,
Dr.Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (15 hours later)
I just wanted to thank you very much for the reply. I think I am on a very good eating routine now to continue with my weight loss. I am glad to hear that seems to be helpful and I think I am hopeful as never in my life have I had anything like this happen to me.

I do seem to think there may be an association perhaps and more research needs to be done if needed on autoimmune d/os and betablockers among so many other things. I do recall maybe a couple years ago now reading something that occurred research wise that stemmed from an association with psorriasis as an auto immune d/o and beta blockers from that large " nurses study " . If I am recalling correctly the PI or a main researcher at Brown University - their med school - Rhode Island USA. Also with some research a group of us at CWRU ( Ohio USA ) involving prevention of Post Partum Psychosis in women that had experienced that devastating illness after the birth of a former child delivery, that there were some commonalities with Lithium as well as beta blocker agents and lithium I am well aware is problematic for H. S. , other derm related conditions. That sticks in my mind as a part of that research was also offering pharmacologic agents that were acceptable for a breast feeding mother and of course lithium is not.

Anyway , since I wrote this I have decided I am going to talk to someone to help with unusual stress I think definitely made my psorriasis go out of remission. I am admitting to myself that with my mom and my husband's mom both in their 90s with declining health and some crisis to crisis health situations for them and with my father in law being in his mid 90s and being active care helpers during his recent hospice days until he did pass on before Christmas , it just occurred to me that helping all these loved ones and having an usual active life it just seemed like it has been a lot.

I also today joined a neighborhood gym as with snow now I need to add in activity aside from what I have been doing before the snow came and that is not problematic with my crazy ankle so riding their exercise bikes will work.

Thanks again though. I do not smoke , thankfully as I know that many people have trouble stopping if they are smokers. I also am going to cut out some foods that seem to aggravate things which I have just noticed recently but have read are common aggravators for some auto immune conditions. I am reading that h s seems to be an auto immune d/o.

Thank you again. I very much appreciate the response. I do have drs I like with an appt next week for f/u. That dr also advised me to supplement with turmeric and I do think has helped. The dr originates from a country where turmeric is more often used in the diet.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (22 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Happy to have been of help!

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Happy to have been of help.

Success on your goal to losing weight.
Let me know if you need advises of help.

Feel free to follow up if you have questions or concerns.

Please kindly remember to close the question if you don't need more clarifications related to this problem.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Klarida Papaqako

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1804 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Hidradenitis Suppurativa In An Elderly Person

Brief Answer: Weight loss it's the best improvement you can do for yourself- keep going Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for using HCM to post your question. I read it carefully and I understand your concern. There is no evidence that Beta-blockers aggravate hydradenitis. It is clear though that losing weight will help you a lot improve. Some other things that will help are smoking cessation if you smoke, reducing heat- sweating- friction in affected areas. Doxacylcine is given as maintenance therapy, which means for long times, if you were in an advanced stage of hydradenitis when this started. But if during Doxacylcine you got worse at some point, then you should see your doctor again because when there are flare-ups should be given other antibiotics or higher doses. Hope this is helpful and answers your questions. Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer. Regards, Dr.Papaqako