It’s estimated that more than 2 ½ million Americans are currently living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). According to the HS Foundation, this number is projected to double by 2035, potentially accounting for about two percent of the American population. With that many people dealing with HS, the condition shouldn’t feel isolating, but it can. Many people living with HS struggle with everyday issues that they don’t talk about, like their daily routines, laundry, and what to wear. That’s why it’s important to talk with others about what’s going on and get helpful resources for dealing with HS. For example, avoiding triggers is a big part of managing the condition. While the severity of your symptoms can vary, many people have to be particular about their clothing choices–especially in the summer. As the temperatures rise, it becomes more critical to balance personal style choices with what your skin needs to stay healthy. Here’s what you need to know about making the right choices this season.
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The first thing you need to know about HS is that the condition has nothing to do with poor hygiene. It’s a chronic skin disease that causes blocked hair follicles, which then form painful, boil-like lumps under the skin. These bumps are most likely to form where the skin rubs together, so you may get them in the groin, armpits, buttocks, genitals, under the breasts, anus, inner thighs, waist, and the nape of your neck.
Because the follicles are already blocked, it is easier for them to trap bacteria. When this happens, the lumps are likely to become swollen and rupture. Burst lumps often result in abscesses that drain pus, and people with these abscesses can experience varying levels of pain.
To make matters worse, these abscesses can heal slowly, become itchy, and exude an unpleasant odor. Even when they heal, you can end up with scarring. Since abscesses are likely to recur, you may have significant scarring and connecting tunnels under your skin from where they have healed. It’s important to note that your risk of developing abscesses is typically linked to the severity of your symptoms.
Part of being diagnosed with HS is determining the severity of your symptoms. Those with a mild form usually have a few lumps in one area of the skin. Unfortunately, it’s common for mild cases to progress to a moderate form of the condition. In this stage, you’re likely to have more recurring lumps that grow and break open, forming abscesses. The lumps will also be located in more areas of the body. If you’re dealing with severe HS, though, you can have widespread lumps, abscesses, and scarring. You may also have chronic pain that makes it hard to move around.
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With that said, though, it’s possible to manage your symptoms by reducing your risk of having flare-ups. In flare-ups, your symptoms usually worsen, increasing the likelihood of abscesses that burst and lead to even more discomfort. In a questionnaire-based study published in 2025, researchers explored the level of pain associated with a flare-up. Of the 66 HS patients included in the study, about 56 percent of them rated their pain level as an eight out of 10 during a flare. Another 24 percent rated theirs as a 10.
These results show that preventing flare-ups is likely a priority for those who have them. One way of doing this is to manage your potential triggers. Although your triggers may differ from someone else’s, a few of the common ones include stress, hormonal changes, tight clothing, excessive sweating, and being overweight. Anything that puts pressure on your skin can trigger a flare-up, so what you wear is important.
As noted above, tight clothing and excessive sweating are typical triggers of HS flare-ups. Taking steps to avoid those issues can be a great way to keep your symptoms under control. In fact, a survey found that nearly 91 percent of the 537 respondents managed their symptoms by avoiding tight clothing. That’s understandable, as that kind of clothing can squeeze your skin, making you uncomfortable and causing friction and chafing.
When summer rolls around, avoiding the wrong clothing can become even more of a priority. That’s because the heat will make you more likely to sweat excessively. If you’re not wearing breathable clothing, you may end up with an environment that encourages the lumps under your skin to accumulate bacteria that will lead to the formation of abscesses.
Another challenge in summer is finding the right clothing to keep flare-ups covered. Apart from the physical challenges of living with HS, many people face stress, anxiety, and depression about their appearance. Given that summer fashion can be more revealing–depending on what you want to wear–this can be an issue. The key, in this case, is to find clothing that strikes a balance between comfort and skin health.
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For people with HS, shopping for summer clothing should start with finding ones that are made from natural fibers that are breathable. Synthetic fabrics are more likely to trap moisture and irritate your skin. Your best options are cellulose-derived fabrics, bamboo fibers, moisture-wicking clothing, cotton, silk, and linen. It’s also a good idea to avoid clothes that have synthetic dyes and irregular textures that can irritate your skin. Tags and seams can also trigger a flare if they keep rubbing against your skin.
When it comes to styles, you should look for flowing dresses, skirts, and blouses. Your shirts should have a relaxed fit, while wide-leg pants should suit you well. The waist of your clothing should be stretchy or adjustable, and camisoles that have built-in support for your cleavage can work well. Your underwear should also be seamless so it doesn’t rub on your skin.
When it comes to bras, stretchy-fit ones are a better choice than underwire bras. That’s because an underwire can aggravate the skin in an area that already has a higher risk of developing abscesses.
If possible, you can look into clothing that’s specifically made for people with HS. These clothes are designed to be comfortable while taking your condition into account. As an example, Hidrawear designs clothing using a material known as modal, which comes from beech trees. You don’t have to limit yourself to specific brands, though. Brands such as Spun Bamboo make clothes from bamboo fibers. As mentioned previously, this kind of material typically works well for those who have skin conditions like HS.
Even though you should avoid tight clothing, that may be harder when you’re exercising. A lot of exercise clothing can be form-fitting and made from materials that are likely to irritate your skin. If you’re facing that challenge, it’s best to talk to your doctor about how to manage your symptoms while exercising. They may suggest a combination of preparing your skin with medicated products and choosing different clothing.
Identifying and managing your triggers is a big part of living well with HS. For many people with the condition, choosing the right clothing is integral to reducing flare-ups. Now that you’re officially in summer, you have to be even more careful about what you wear. Of course, if you have any concerns, it’s best to talk to your doctor so they can determine whether your symptoms have worsened or if anything needs to change in your treatment regimen.
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