Cooler temperatures can offer a welcome break from summer heat and humidity, but they do not necessarily mean a break from hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Dry indoor air, heavier clothing, changes in eating habits, and the stress of the holiday season can create new challenges for people living with this inflammatory skin condition.
In HealthCentral’s article, “Your HS Cool-Weather Survival Toolkit,” MetroDerm dermatologist Pearl Rimtepathip, M.D., shares guidance on navigating these seasonal changes. A board-certified dermatologist at MetroDerm’s Hiram location, Dr. Rimtepathip emphasizes protecting the skin from irritation, supporting overall health, staying connected, and continuing prescribed treatment – even when symptoms improve.
Whether you are preparing for colder weather or enjoying a stretch of calmer skin, her insights offer practical ways to approach HS care throughout fall and winter.
Understanding Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a skin condition that causes deep, painful lumps, often in areas where skin touches skin. Common locations include the underarms, groin, inner thighs, buttocks, and beneath the breasts. These lumps may resemble boils or acne cysts, but HS is a distinct condition – not ordinary acne.
Some lumps develop into abscesses that open and drain. Repeated breakouts can lead to scarring and tunnels beneath the skin. Symptoms may clear temporarily and then return, sometimes in the same location.
HS is not contagious, and it is not caused by unclean skin. Understanding that distinction is important: managing HS requires appropriate medical care, not more aggressive washing or scrubbing. In fact, scrubbing can irritate the skin and worsen inflammation.
Why Cooler Weather Still Requires an HS Care Plan
Summer often gets the most attention because heat and sweating can make HS difficult to manage. However, fall and winter bring a different set of potential irritants. Layers can rub against sensitive areas and trap moisture, while indoor heating can leave skin dry and uncomfortable. Seasonal changes in routines may also affect eating habits, activity levels, and emotional well-being.
Rather than treating cooler weather as a reason to put HS care on hold, think of it as an opportunity to maintain consistency and address problems before they become more disruptive.
Dr. Pearl’s contributions to HealthCentral highlight six areas that deserve particular attention.
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Choose Layers That Minimize Friction
Sweating may be less noticeable when temperatures drop, but heavier clothing can still create a warm, damp environment against the skin. Tight base layers, snug workout clothing, and other body-hugging garments may also rub against areas affected by HS.
“Any tight-fitting clothes can irritate HS because of the rubbing of the skin,” Dr. Rimtepathip told HealthCentral.
The goal is to stay warm without adding unnecessary irritation. When choosing clothing for outdoor activities or exercise:
- Look for layers that do not squeeze or repeatedly rub sensitive areas.
- Consider moisture-wicking base layers to help move sweat away from the skin.
- Shower soon after exercising rather than remaining in sweaty clothing.
Pay attention to how your skin feels under different outfits. Clothing that works well on a symptom-free day may feel uncomfortable during a flare. Reducing friction is one way to make daily activities more manageable, even when you cannot control every trigger.
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Protect Your Skin From Winter Dryness
Cold weather outside and heated air inside can leave skin feeling dry and irritated. Dr. Rimtepathip explains in the HealthCentral article that dry air and indoor heating can affect the skin barrier and potentially contribute to HS flares.
That makes gentle skin care an important part of your seasonal routine. Your dermatologist can help you select a moisturizer that supports your skin without clogging pores or adding irritation. HealthCentral also recommends using a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity around 30% to 40% and keeping hot showers short to avoid stripping the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Resist the urge to scrub affected areas in an effort to “deep clean” them. HS is not a hygiene problem, and harsh scrubbing can create more inflammation rather than resolve it.
If your usual products begin to sting or leave your skin feeling increasingly dry, bring that information to your dermatologist. A skin care plan should account for both your HS and the irritation that changing weather may introduce.
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Be Mindful of Seasonal Eating Habits
Fall and winter often come with more sweets, holiday gatherings, alcoholic drinks, and highly processed comfort foods. In HealthCentral’s article, Dr. Rimtepathip notes that excessive sugar, alcohol, and highly processed foods can worsen inflammation.
That does not mean every celebration needs to become a restrictive exercise. The article recommends a more balanced approach: enjoy smaller portions of rich foods, consider alcohol-free occasions, and keep fiber-rich vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans at the center of everyday meals.
These suggestions are best viewed as supportive habits – not a substitute for HS treatment or a guarantee that changing your diet will prevent flares. The article describes research linking a low-carbohydrate, high-fiber eating pattern with weight loss and improved HS symptoms, but that association does not establish one universal diet for everyone with HS.
The practical takeaway is to build a sustainable routine rather than chase a perfect menu.
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Talk About Metabolic Health Without Blame
Dr. Pearl also draws attention to the relationship between HS and broader health concerns.
“In many cases, HS is associated with metabolic syndrome,” she told HealthCentral. “Weight gain, high cholesterol, diabetes—they’re all inflammatory processes.”
Her comments highlight why HS conversations may extend beyond what is visible on the skin. Changes in weight and metabolic health can be relevant to the overall management discussion, particularly when seasonal routines become less active.
This is not a reason to blame yourself for having HS. The condition is not caused by poor hygiene, and lifestyle measures do not replace medical treatment. Instead, discussions about nutrition, activity, weight changes, or other health concerns can help your care team understand the full picture.
If these issues are a concern, ask how they fit into your individual care plan rather than assuming you need to manage everything on your own.
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Make Emotional Support Part of Your Care
The effects of HS are not limited to physical symptoms. Pain, drainage, and concerns about visible or uncomfortable lesions can make social situations difficult. HealthCentral notes that colder weather and shorter days may add to feelings of isolation for people already coping with HS.
Dr. Rimtepathip emphasizes the value of staying connected with friends, an in-person support network, and online HS communities. She also encourages patients to ask their dermatologist about support options and to reach out to a loved one or therapist when they are struggling.
Support does not have to look the same for everyone. It may mean talking openly with one trusted person, finding a community of people who understand HS, or working with a mental health professional.
The important point is that emotional well-being belongs in the conversation about HS. You do not have to wait until distress becomes overwhelming to mention it to your care team.
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Continue Treatment Even When Your Skin Looks Better
One of Dr. Rimtepathip’s most important messages is also one of the easiest to overlook: improvement is not a reason to stop prescribed treatment on your own.
“When patients get better, they may stop their injections because they feel better,” she explained to HealthCentral.
The problem, she notes, is that symptoms may flare again when hotter weather returns, and treatment may take time to regain its effect. With certain biologic medications, stopping and restarting can also lead the body to develop antibodies against the medication, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
Clearer skin may be a sign that your treatment plan is working – not that you no longer need it.
If you are considering a medication change because of side effects, cost, scheduling difficulties, or improved symptoms, discuss it with your prescribing clinician first. Dr. Rimtepathip’s guidance underscores the importance of making those decisions with your dermatologist rather than interrupting treatment independently.
What About Exercise, Supplements, and Other Winter Strategies?
HealthCentral’s full 10-part toolkit also discusses staying active, possible vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and using periods of calmer skin to reassess treatment. Those recommendations include input from another dermatologist featured in the article, Adel Haque, M.D.; they should not be confused with Dr. Rimtepathip’s specific contributions.
For patients, the broader message is to use the article as a starting point for a personalized discussion. Questions about supplements, exercise adjustments, skin care products, or treatment changes belong within the context of your health history and existing HS regimen – not a one-size-fits-all winter checklist.
When to See a Dermatologist for Possible HS
If you repeatedly develop painful, boil-like lumps in your underarms, groin, inner thighs, buttocks, or beneath your breasts, schedule a dermatology evaluation. Recurring drainage, lumps that return in the same area, and scarring are also important symptoms to discuss. HS can resemble other conditions, making an accurate diagnosis essential.
For people already diagnosed with HS, an appointment is an opportunity to review more than the latest flare. Discuss changes in symptoms, clothing-related irritation, dry skin, medication concerns, and the emotional impact of living with the condition. These details can help guide a more individualized care plan.
Personalized Dermatology Care at MetroDerm
Living with hidradenitis suppurativa means navigating a condition that can change over time – and across seasons. Dr. Pearl’s guidance offers a practical foundation for cooler-weather care: reduce friction, protect the skin barrier, support overall well-being, and stay consistent with prescribed treatment.
Dr. Rimtepathip is a board-certified dermatologist who sees patients at MetroDerm’s Hiram location. If you are experiencing recurring painful lumps or need help managing an existing HS diagnosis, request an appointment to discuss your symptoms and care options with any of our providers.
This article draws on Dr. Pearl Rimtepathip’s contributions to HealthCentral’s “Your HS Cool-Weather Survival Toolkit,” by Janet Lee, medically reviewed by Holly Singletary, M.D., and updated October 19, 2026. It is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice.