Living with any chronic skin condition usually means making adjustments to your lifestyle.

This definitely holds true if youve beendiagnosedwithhidradenitis suppurativa.

If your skin feels itchy or dry, lathering up with a gentle, fragrance-free body wash is enough.

skin diseases hidradenitis suppurativa Image may contain Britne Oldford Cosmetics Accessories Jewelry Necklace Adult…

Getty Images

When practical, it can even be helpful to just go without underwear until a flare-up clears.

That said, there are a couple of factors to keep in mind when you work out.

The first: friction.

Post-workout, resist the temptation to hit the gym sauna, hot tub, or steam room.

Instead, take a shower to clear away sweat and de-clog hair follicles.

Using a gentle antiseptic body wash when you bathe can also help control body odor without irritating your skin.

One of the biggest reasons: Eating right can help you maintain a healthy weight.

Its smart to avoid shaving affected skin when you have active hidradenitis suppurativa nodules or lesions.

There, youll find forums where people share more lifestyle tipsand which treatment options theyve found success with.