Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful, long-term skin condition that causes skin abscesses and scarring on the skin. The exact cause of hidradenitis suppurativa is unknown, but it occurs near hair follicles where there are sweat glands, usually around the groin, bottom, breasts and armpits.
In HS, nociceptive pain likely results from inflammation. Neuropathic HS pain may result from chronic inflammation causing peripheral neuroplastic changes and central sensitization.
Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a chronic skin disease characterized by recurrent boil-like lumps (nodules) under the skin. The nodules become inflamed and painful. They tend to break open (rupture), causing abscesses that drain fluid and pus.
How bad is the pain? One study found that people with HS had higher pain scores than people with psoriasis, skin tumors, eczema, acne, and other skin diseases. In another large study comparing people with skin diseases to healthy people, those with HS had the highest risk of pain and discomfort.
Also called acne inversa, HS can look like pimples and acne cysts. It's not acne, though. Still, when HS first appears, some people think that they have pimples in their armpit, on their inner thighs, or in their groin area. Without treatment for HS, this skin condition can worsen.
Patients often ask their dermatologist if they should squeeze hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) The answer is “no.” Squeezing or popping the nodules, cysts, and sores can injure or irritate your skin. Anything that injures or irritates your skin can worsen HS.
Hidradenitis suppurativa can be mistaken for pimples or acne. For many people, it takes years to receive a correct diagnosis.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is an uncommon skin condition that starts out as pimple-like lesions on the skin. If left untreated, it can grow deeper into the tissue and over time can lead to painful fluid-filled lumps or thick scars.
Keratosis pilaris (ker uh TOH siss pill AIR iss) is a dry skin type. It looks like dry, rough, small bumps that are flesh-colored or pink and can feel like sandpaper or chicken skin. It is usually not itchy. The most common areas for these bumps are on the back of the arms, front of the thighs and face (cheeks).
HS is an inflammatory skin disease that affects an estimated 1% of the population.
Sweat, bacteria, and skin tissues that are infected and inflamed all contribute to the smell that occurs with HS. A typical painful nodule will last seven to 15 days. During this time, the boil may erupt, creating painful deep abscesses, or holes. The pus that erupts from the boil can be foul-smelling.
The first signs of stage 1 HS are usually boil-like lesions or abscesses. A person may have a single, painful lump, or there may be multiple lesions. The lesions can appear anywhere on the body but typically affect the: armpit.
To the Editor: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the hair follicles that may require inpatient hospitalization for medical management or surgery.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) as a potentially disabling disease. For HS to be considered a disability, your symptoms must be severe enough to keep you out of work for 12 months or longer.
Scientists believe that cigarette smoking is the most common trigger for HS. Researchers have found that between 70% and 90% of people who get HS smoke cigarettes. Being overweight also seems to trigger HS. The more overweight you are, the higher your risk of developing HS and of having severe HS.
Cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer complicating HS have also been reported. Vulvar, perianal, and perineal cancer can develop in patients with HS.
There's no known cure for HS, but treatment can help prevent flare-ups and stop disease progression. There are many options for treating HS naturally, including making dietary changes, supplementing with turmeric and zinc, taking Epsom salt baths, and making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, among more.
There are three distinct HS stages, also called Hurley stages (named for the doctor who defined them), ranging from mild to more severe. Your HS may progress from stage I to III, but that's not always the case.
Stage 2 is characterised by recurrent lesions, scarring and tunnelling. Where in stage 1, lesions were singular or multiple, in stage 2 HS, lesions are recurrent. Recurrent lesions occur in places where old wounds have healed. As the lesions heal, they can scar.
Infections like Cellulitis or Sepsis: Infection can happen along with the HS. This is called cellulitis when the infection is in the skin, or sepsis when the infection is in the blood.
Tender, deep nodule(s) appears
The first sign of HS is often a painful spot that looks like a deep pimple, acne cyst, or boil. This spot often appears on an armpit (as shown here) or in the groin area. Some people develop a spot on their buttocks or inner thigh.