This HS Flare-Up Reminded Me That Healing Isn’t Always Pretty

I had plans to write something else this week, but honesty called louder than perfection. I’m currently in the middle of a pretty painful HS flare-up, and it’s been humbling. It’s still active as I write this. The swelling, the aching, the irritation everything.

It’s not cute. It’s not curated. But it’s real.

I didn’t pull out a bunch of fancy products or natural remedies this time. I didn’t have the energy. I just leaned into the basics: I drank tea, I took hot baths, used what I had on hand and gave myself permission to rest.

And sometimes, that’s enough.

What This Flare-Up Taught Me (Again)

HS doesn’t care about your schedule. It doesn’t care about your plans or content calendar. It shows up when it wants and demands attention. And as much as I’ve learned about my body, sometimes it still catches me off guard.

This flare-up reminded me that healing isn’t linear. Even when you're doing “better,” even when your skin seems clearer for a while, flare-ups happen. And when they do, it doesn’t mean you're failing. It just means your body is still navigating a very real condition.

And here's something most people don’t talk about: HS flare-ups don’t just affect your skin they can make your whole body feel sick.

When HS Feels Like the Flu

During this flare-up, I felt more than just local pain. My whole body ached, not just the spot where the flare was. I had chills, felt hot like I had a fever, and the fatigue hit me hard. That deep, dragging fatigue where even standing up feels like too much. It felt like I was coming down with the flu but it was just my body overwhelmed by inflammation.

This is something a lot of people with HS experience, and it’s not often talked about enough. HS is inflammatory, and when that inflammation kicks up, it doesn’t always stay in one place. It spreads. It drains your energy. It wears on your emotions.

What I Did This Time

I didn’t do much but I did what I could. And honestly, that’s enough.

✅ Washed with Hibiclens – I used it to gently cleanse my most flare-up-prone areas. It’s an antiseptic skin cleanser that helps reduce bacteria and keep things clean without over-stripping my skin.

✅ Drank tea – I alternated between turmeric tea and lavender tea with cinnamon and honey. They helped calm the inflammation and brought a little warmth and comfort to my body.

✅ Took hot baths – Not just for the physical relief, but to ease my mind and body at the same time. The heat softened the pain, just enough to breathe.

✅ Let myself rest – I didn’t push myself to be productive. I didn’t try to “look okay.” I let my body take the lead.

✅ Felt what I needed to feel – The anger, the grief, the exhaustion it all came up. And I let it. That’s part of healing, too.

What I Want You to Know if You're Flaring Too

If you're in the middle of a flare-up right now you are not alone. It’s okay if all you did today was survive. It’s okay if your body feels off, heavy, sore in places you didn’t expect. That doesn’t make you weak it makes you human.

Sometimes the best kind of care is the kind no one sees: warm tea, a quiet bath, a nap when your body begs for it. All of that counts. All of that is valid.

Final Thoughts

I don’t have a “7-step plan to beat HS flare-ups” in this post. All I have is truth. My body is flaring. I’m hurting. But I’m still here. I’m still soft.

I’m still standing. And if you’re reading this so are you.

Be gentle with yourself this week. Don’t let your pain make you feel invisible.

Your symptoms are real. Your care is valid.

Your healing is still happening even in the middle of the mess.