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Back to Dermatology Diseases
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa or HS is a poorly studied skin disease that
affects the sweat (apocrine) glands primarily located in the
underarms, groin, and under the breasts in women. The disease is
chronic and can progress to severely painful and debilitating. It is
considered a rare disease, with an incidence rate of 1 in 1,000 to 1
in 300 people, but because it is difficult to diagnose and can easily
be mistaken for acne, many sufferers go undiagnosed and improperly
treated.
Stages
HS presents itself in three stages:
- A few minor sites with rare inflammation; may be mistaken for
blackheads.
- Frequent inflammations restrict movement and require minor surgery.
- Inflammation of sites to the size of golf balls, or sometimes
baseballs; scarring develops, including subcutaneous tracts of
infection. Patients in this stage may be unable to hold down a job.
Causes
As this disease is poorly studied, the causes are controversial and
experts disagree. However, potential indicators include:
- post-pubescent
- females are more likely than males
- ingrown hairs
- plugged sweat gland
- excessive sweating
- use of anti-perspirant or deodorant
- bacterial infection
- linked to some immunodeficiency conditions
- genetic predisposition
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Treatment
Treatment may vary depending upon the stage of the disease.
- Will resolve in 10-30 days on its own. Otherwise, warm compresses,
oral antibiotics (treat inflammation and any bacterial component)
- Oral antibiotics, incision and drainage, oral contraceptives
- Wide local excision (with or without skin grafting), laser surgery,
radiotherapy
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