Diet in hidradenitis suppurativa: a review of published and lay literature

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurring, inflammatory skin disorder resulting in skin abscesses and sinus tracts of the skin folds. Hidradenitis suppurativa remains a disease with limited treatment options. Management of disease activity with dietary modification has been of considerable interest to the HS patient community. Limited evidence exists to support dietary changes for treatment of HS. Strategies such as eliminating dairy products, limiting simple carbohydrate and sugar intake, and avoiding nightshades (Solanaceae) and foods containing brewer's yeast have been reported to be helpful in some patients. Several supplements have also been touted as beneficial. Herein, we review the existing dietary recommendations in both peer-reviewed and lay literature in an attempt to consolidate and evaluate existing information, while stimulating further inquiry into the role of diet in HS. Although dietary modifications are often of considerable interest to HS patients, there is a paucity of data regarding diet as it relates to HS. It is unclear whether diet may prove to be of value in limiting the severity of HS. Further research is needed to determine the potential benefits of these dietary changes.

Alleviating and exacerbating foods in hidradenitis suppurativa

“…Chicken, fish, and red meat were considered to be alleviating. This may be due to the high zinc and vitamin B12 content of these foods, as recent systematic reviews indicate that supplementation of these micronutrients improves HS symptoms 11‐14 . Vitamin D supplementation may also lead to clinical HS improvement, and dairy products can be high in vitamin D 15 .…”

“…This may be due to the high zinc and vitamin B12 content of these foods, as recent systematic reviews indicate that supplementation of these micronutrients improves HS symptoms. [11][12][13][14] Vitamin D supplementation may also lead to clinical HS improvement, and dairy products can be high in vitamin D. 15 However, as dairy was frequently considered to be exacerbating in our study as well as in a prior report, 1 obtaining adequate vitamin D through supplementation rather than through dietary intake may be preferred in HS patients.…”

Gut–Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions

“…Avoidance of food containing or made with the yeast S. cerevisiae has resulted in promising long-term results in HS, including a reduction in inflammation and amelioration of clinical response to (surgical) treatments [255]. Though other "avoidance" diets are suggested for the treatment of HS, randomized controlled trials are lacking to provide solid evidence for HS [256].…”

Hidradenitis supurativa: una revisión bibliográfica

“…La etiología del HS no está claramente establecida, se plantean varios mecanismos de desregulación inmune, la predisposición genética, el tabaquismo y la obesidad (2). Además, la HS se asocia a diversas patologías (enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, pioderma gangrenoso, síndrome de ovario poliquístico, entre otras), por lo cual incluso podría ser catalogada como una enfermedad sistémica (2,7). El diagnóstico temprano de la HS es complicado y suele consistir un reto para el profesional de la salud, ya que con el diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuado de forma temprana, se puede reducir la cantidad de secuelas y síntomas crónicos (4).…”

“…En cuanto a la relación de la HS con obesidad y síndrome metabólico, la hiperinsulinemia y el aumento de IGF-1 estimulan al receptor de andrógenos, haciéndolo cada vez más accesible para andrógenos de fuentes endógenas y exógenas y por lo tanto predispone a HS. La alta ingesta de carbohidratos, lácteos, uso de nicotina y estrés tienen la capacidad de estimular la vía fosfatidil inositol-3-quinasa / akt / Fox01 convirtiéndose así en factores predisponentes en la patogénesis de HS (7).…”