Post by @mottsworld

I wanted to be transparent and show a real moment of what managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa can look and feel like for me. 💜 This flare had been developing for months. Because of how firm it was, I honestly didn’t think there was anything in there, but eventually the pain, discomfort, tenderness, discoloration, and everything that comes with an HS flare-up started to build up, and it finally drained. One of the hardest parts about a flare is sometimes watching it develop in real time. You’re watching your skin change, feeling the discomfort increase, and doing your best to manage it while knowing you can’t always control what happens next. And that’s only the physical part. There’s also the emotional frustration of seeing your skin change and the mental load of having to care for yourself while managing everything you’re feeling. What you’re seeing in this video is the relief I sometimes feel when a flare finally starts draining. The deep breaths. The emotional calm. That feeling of finally getting some relief after carrying the discomfort for so long. But drainage doesn’t always mean it’s over. I filmed this about a week ago, and this area is still draining today. There’s the development of the flare, living with it while it’s active, and then caring for your skin afterward. And through every part of that process, there’s a person behind the flare trying to manage the physical pain, the emotions, the mental load, and everyday life at the same time. This is a reality of living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa that I wanted to share because there is so much more behind a flare than what you can see on the outside. 💜 #HidradenitisSuppurativa #HSWarrior #HSAwareness #SkinCondition #chronicillness