What Diet Reduces HS? A Comprehensive Guide to Anti-Inflammatory Eating

December 14, 2025 •

4 min read

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, and emerging research highlights a strong link between diet and its severity. While no single diet cures HS, many patients find relief by focusing on anti-inflammatory foods and eliminating triggers to manage their symptoms effectively.

Quick Summary

This guide explores effective dietary strategies for managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa, focusing on reducing inflammation through diet. It details common trigger foods, emphasizes anti-inflammatory choices, and discusses specialized approaches like elimination diets and the Mediterranean diet.

Key Points

Identify Triggers: Dairy, high-sugar foods, and brewer's yeast are common HS triggers for many, often requiring an elimination diet to pinpoint sensitivities.
Embrace Anti-Inflammatory Foods: A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and omega-3s, can help lower systemic inflammation.
Manage Blood Sugar: Controlling insulin spikes by limiting high-glycemic-index foods is crucial for preventing hormonal disruptions that exacerbate HS.
Support Gut Health: A high-fiber diet and probiotic foods can promote a healthy gut microbiome, which is linked to reduced inflammation.
Supplement Wisely: Talk to your doctor about supplementing with zinc or vitamin D, as deficiencies in these nutrients are sometimes associated with HS severity.
Focus on Weight Management: Weight loss, even a moderate amount, can significantly lessen HS severity and flare-ups, especially for those who are overweight.
Create a Holistic Plan: Dietary changes are most effective when combined with other lifestyle modifications like stress reduction, quitting smoking, and exercise.

Understanding the Connection Between Diet and HS

Hidradenitis Suppurativa is more than a skin condition; it's a systemic inflammatory disease. The inflammation that causes painful nodules and abscesses on the skin can be influenced by internal factors, including diet. Certain foods can increase inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and insulin spikes, all of which are known to exacerbate HS symptoms. On the other hand, an anti-inflammatory diet can help regulate the immune system and support gut health, which is critical for managing HS.

The Impact of Specific Foods on HS

Research and anecdotal evidence from HS patients point to several common dietary culprits that can trigger flare-ups. These include:

Dairy Products: Many HS patients report that dairy, particularly whole-fat varieties, can worsen their symptoms. This is believed to be due to components like whey and casein, which can increase insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and activate the mTOR pathway, leading to follicular hyperkeratinization.
Refined Carbohydrates and Sugars: Foods with a high glycemic index (GI), such as white bread, pasta, and sugary snacks, can cause rapid spikes in insulin. This can lead to increased inflammation and hormonal disruption that can aggravate HS.
Brewer's Yeast: Found in beer, bread, and fermented foods, brewer's yeast has been identified as a trigger for some HS patients, especially those with an underlying sensitivity. A small study showed that eliminating yeast led to symptom stabilization in some patients.
Nightshade Vegetables: While not a trigger for everyone, some individuals with HS report sensitivity to nightshades like tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, which contain glycoalkaloids that may cause inflammation.
Processed and High-Fat Foods: Diets high in processed and saturated fats can promote gut dysbiosis and increase pro-inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to HS progression.

Embracing an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Fortunately, there are many foods that support the body's natural anti-inflammatory processes and can help manage HS symptoms. A Mediterranean-style diet is often recommended due to its focus on whole, unprocessed foods.

Beneficial foods for HS:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish (salmon, sardines), walnuts, and flaxseed, omega-3s are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can help suppress inflammation.
Colorful Fruits and Vegetables: Rich in antioxidants and fiber, these foods help reduce inflammation and promote a healthy gut microbiome.
Whole Grains and Legumes: High in fiber, whole grains like oats and brown rice, and legumes such as beans and lentils, help stabilize blood sugar and support digestive health.
Probiotic-Rich Foods: Low-fat yogurt with probiotics can promote a healthier gut and may reduce inflammation. Fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut are also beneficial for gut health.
Healthy Fats: Use olive oil, avocado, and nuts as your primary fat sources.

The Role of Elimination Diets

For many, identifying specific trigger foods requires a methodical approach, such as an elimination diet. This process involves removing potential inflammatory foods from your diet for a set period, typically several weeks, and then reintroducing them one by one to observe the body's reaction. It is highly recommended to do this under the guidance of a healthcare professional or registered dietitian. Keeping a detailed food diary is crucial for tracking symptoms throughout the process.

Diet vs. Lifestyle Factors in HS Management

While diet is a key component, it's important to understand it within the context of a broader lifestyle approach to managing HS. Here is a comparison of different factors:


Feature	Dietary Factors	Other Lifestyle Factors
Mechanism	Directly impacts systemic inflammation, gut microbiome, hormonal balance, and blood sugar levels.	Addresses external and internal stressors, friction, hormonal changes, and overall health status.
Examples	Avoiding dairy, sugar, and yeast; adopting a Mediterranean or low-GI diet; managing portion sizes.	Smoking cessation, weight management, stress reduction, wearing loose clothing, maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
Effect on Flares	Can reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups by reducing systemic inflammation.	Can prevent flare-ups caused by friction and stress; improves overall health outcomes.
Intervention Time	The effects can take weeks or months to become apparent and require consistent effort.	Some effects (e.g., smoking cessation) can have a significant and immediate impact, while others (e.g., weight loss) are long-term.
Best Practice	Work with a dietitian or doctor to find the most effective diet for your specific triggers.	Implement a holistic plan addressing multiple factors for comprehensive management of the condition.

Supplements to Consider

In addition to dietary changes, some supplements have shown promise in managing HS symptoms, though they should always be discussed with a doctor first.

Zinc: Some studies suggest zinc supplementation can reduce flares in patients with mild to moderate HS.
Vitamin D: HS patients often have lower vitamin D levels, and supplementation may help, especially in those with a deficiency.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: If dietary sources are insufficient, high-quality fish oil supplements can provide a concentrated dose of anti-inflammatory omega-3s.

Conclusion: A Personalized Approach is Best

Diet is a powerful tool in the management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The goal is to reduce systemic inflammation by identifying and eliminating individual food triggers while embracing nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory whole foods. A personalized approach, often starting with a guided elimination diet, is the most effective strategy. By combining mindful eating with other healthy lifestyle choices, individuals with HS can significantly improve their symptoms and overall quality of life. For more information on complementary management strategies, consult authoritative resources like the American Academy of Dermatology on HS.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no single best diet for everyone with HS, but an anti-inflammatory diet is often recommended. This approach focuses on whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats while limiting common triggers like dairy, sugar, and refined carbs.

An elimination diet can be a useful tool for identifying personal triggers, but it should be done carefully, ideally with professional guidance. You systematically remove and then reintroduce certain food groups to track your body's reaction and pinpoint specific sensitivities.

For many HS patients, yes. Dairy products can increase insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which is linked to inflammation and follicular hyperkeratinization that can worsen HS symptoms. A dairy-free diet has shown promising results for some patients.

Limiting sugar is generally recommended, as high sugar intake can cause insulin spikes that lead to inflammation and hormonal changes, both of which can exacerbate HS flare-ups.

Nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers are triggers for some, but not all, HS patients. You can use an elimination diet to test if they are a trigger for you personally.

A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for overall immune function and reducing systemic inflammation. A high-fiber, anti-inflammatory diet can improve gut health and potentially mitigate HS symptoms.

Seeing results from dietary changes can take time, sometimes weeks or months, as the body needs time to regulate inflammation. Consistency is key, and it is a long-term lifestyle change rather than a quick fix.