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• Conditions (26): Skin and Hair, Lichen Planus, Melanoma, and 23 others Skin and Hair, Lichen Planus, Melanoma, Beckers Nevus, Skin Cancer, Lichen Sclerosus, dermatitis, Eczema, Squamish Cell Skin Cancer, Darier's Disease, Inflammatory Linear Verrucous Epidermal Nevus, Epidermal Nevus, Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Localized Acquired Hypertrichosis, Keratosis Follicularis Squamosa, Exercise Urticaria, Hailey-Hailey disease, Elephantiasis, Ichthyosis Vulgaris, Mycosis Fungoides, Hemangioma, CREST Syndrome, Acne Rosacea, Hidradenitis, Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome, Skin Diseases, Bacterial [hide]
• Groups (11): Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Eczema, Beckers Nevus, and 8 others Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Eczema, Beckers Nevus, Melanoma, Lichen Planus, Lichen Sclerosis, Darier's Disease, Granuloma Annulare, Alopecia Areata, Sweet Syndrome, Acne Rosacea [hide]
• Symptoms (26): Granuloma Annulare, Alopecia Areata, red skin rash, and 23 others Granuloma Annulare, Alopecia Areata, red skin rash, Raynaud's Disease and Phenomenon, Angioedema, Scleroderma, Mole, Port-Wine Stain, Hypopigmentation, Sclerodactyly, Skin Findings, Fear of cancer of skin, Infected finger/toe/paronychia, Hyperpigmentation, Pain/tenderness of skin, Generalized redness/erythema/rash, Fear of having other skin disease, Local redness/erythema/rash, Skin Absorption, Symptom/complaint of skin texture, Other symptom/complaint skin, Limited dermatologic function, Other changes in skin color, Baldness/losing hair, Local swelling/papules/lump/mass, Symptom/complaint nails [hide]
• Treatments (26): Relaxation of scar or web contracture of skin, hydroquinone 40 MG/ML Topical Cream, Dermabrasion, and 23 others Relaxation of scar or web contracture of skin, hydroquinone 40 MG/ML Topical Cream, Dermabrasion, HYDROQUINONE 4 %, dioxybenzone 30 MG/ML / ETHYL DIHYDROXYPROPYL PABA 50 MG/ML / hydroquinone 40 MG/ML Topical Cream, hydroquinone 40 MG/ML / padimate-O 30 MG/ML Topical Cream, Other OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast, HYDROQUINONE 2 %, Electrolysis and other epilation of skin, fluocinolone 0.1 MG/ML / hydroquinone 40 MG/ML / Tretinoin 0.5 MG/ML Topical Cream, Hypersensitivity skin testing, hydroquinone 20 MG/ML Topical Cream, hydroquinone 0.04 MG/MG Topical Gel, Screening examination for pulmonary tuberculosis, Delayed hypersensitivity skin test for mumps, Administration, Cutaneous, Operations on the integumentary system, Other non-OR therapeutic procedures on skin and breast, hydroquinone, Relaxation of scar (procedure), HYDROQUINONE 3.3 %, intradermal injection, General hair removal - epilation, Dermatologic Agents, hydroquinone 33 MG/ML Topical Solution, Electron Microscopy [hide]

About Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa or HS is a skin disease that affects areas bearing apocrine sweat glands and hair follicles; such as the underarms, groin and buttocks, and under the breasts in women. Overview The disease manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, sometimes as large as baseballs,... more

Hidradenitis suppurativa or HS is a skin disease that affects areas bearing apocrine sweat glands and hair follicles; such as the underarms, groin and buttocks, and under the breasts in women.

Overview

The disease manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, sometimes as large as baseballs, that are extremely painful to the touch and may persist for years with occasional to frequent periods of inflammation, culminating in drainage of pus, often leaving open wounds that will not heal. Drainage provides some relief from severe, often debilitating, pressure pain. Flare-ups may be triggered by stress, hormonal changes (such as monthly cycles in women), humid heat, and clothing friction. Persistent lesions may lead to scarring and the formation of sinus tracts, or tunnels connecting the abscesses under the skin. At this stage, complete healing is usually not possible, and progression varies from person to person, with some experiencing remission anywhere from months to years at a time, others may worsen and require surgery in order to live comfortably. Occurrences of bacterial infections and cellulitis (deep tissue inflammation) may occur at these sites. HS pain can be difficult to manage.

HS often goes undiagnosed for years because patients are too ashamed to speak with anyone. When they do see a doctor, the disease is frequently misdiagnosed or prescribed treatments are ineffective, temporary and sometimes even harmful. There is no known cure nor any consistently effective treatment. Carbon dioxide laser surgery is currently considered the last resort for those who have advanced to its highest stage, where the affected areas are excised, and the skin is grafted. Surgery doesn't always alleviate the condition, however, and can be very expensive.

It is possible that there is genetic predisposition to the disease. HS is not contagious, and isn't affected nor caused by good or bad hygiene. HS is often called an 'orphan illness', due to little research being conducted on the disease at this time. Because HS is considered a rare disease, its incidence rate is not well known, but has been estimated as being between 1:24 (4.1%) and 1:600 (0.2%).

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