Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Diet: What the Science Really Says

In today’s video, board certified dermatologist Dr. Dray breaks down what the research really says about diet and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). If you’ve ever wondered whether cutting dairy, lowering sugar, or trying a low FODMAP diet could help reduce HS flare-ups, this video explains the science, the myths, and what dietary changes may help some people manage inflammation. HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition and while diet does not cause or cure it, certain eating patterns can influence symptoms for some individuals. Dr. Dray reviews recent research from 2023 to 2025, including studies on dairy, high glycemic foods and the low FODMAP diet, plus how to safely approach dietary modifications with the help of a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. If you are exploring lifestyle changes to support your HS treatment plan, this video will help you understand what diet can and cannot do, how to track your own food triggers, and why extreme restrictive diets are not recommended. Be sure to check out the additional HS lifestyle and skincare video linked below. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Welcome and topic introduction 0:23 What hidradenitis suppurativa is and what it is not 1:42 How weight, hormones and inflammation relate to HS 2:07 Where diet fits into HS management 2:22 Overview of recent research on diet and HS 2:58 Dairy and IGF-1. What studies and patients report 4:06 High glycemic foods and their effect on inflammation 4:41 The low FODMAP diet and emerging research 5:30 Key takeaway. Diet may help some but is not one size fits all 6:00 What diet cannot do in HS 6:27 Who might consider dietary evaluation 7:05 How to begin dietary changes. Food diary and gradual adjustments 8:00 Why to avoid extreme restrictive diets 8:40 Importance of working with a registered dietitian 9:10 Additional lifestyle tips for HS 9:40 Summary. How diet may influence flare-ups 10:20 Final thoughts. Share your experience and subscribe RELATED VIDEO Lifestyle tips and skincare routine for hidradenitis suppurativa https://youtu.be/fgPGjrUsLkw FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links. 💜Shop my Amazon store https://o.bttn.io/0BwiPWFIZLG 💜Follow me on liketoknowit https://www.liketoknow.it/drdrayzday 💜Social media Instagram @drdrayzday Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/drdrayzday/ Facebook @DrDrayzDay Twitter: @drdrayzday Tiktok: @drdrayzday Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Content provided on this Youtube channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Youtube channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.