What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

• Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a disease in the skin that usually affects areas that have apocrine sweat glands or sebaceous glands. These glands appear in the groin, breasts, buttocks, inner thighs, and armpits.
  
• It is considered to be a severe form of acne.
• It occurs near oil glands and hair follicles, deep inside the skin.
• It may also happen in places where skin rubs together like in between the buttocks or underneath the breasts.
• It often starts after puberty and continues for years, getting worse over time.
• It is more common in women and can be passed down from generation to generation. It is also more common to occur between puberty and age 40.

What are the symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

• Blackheads: small areas in the skin that are marked with pits containing blackheads (black or yellowish plugs or bumps on the skin) appear on the skin.
• Tender, red bumps: These bumps grow bigger, bursting open and letting pus come out. The pus may have an unpleasant smell.
• Pea-sized, painful lumps: These hard lumps appear under the skin and may stay for years, growing bigger and becoming inflamed.
• Leaking sores or bumps: These may recover very slowly, or they may not heal at all. These result in the development of tunnels underneath the skin and scarring.
• Tunnels that connect each other and create a network underneath the skin: These cause even more sores to develop and stops other sores from getting better.
• Skin changes and scars
• Movement becomes restricted
• Bacterial infections

Is there any treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

• Wash regularly with antibacterial soap.
• Antibiotics: prevent infection and will probably prevent outbreaks or keep the disease from getting worse in the future.
• Oral retinoid medications: stop the functions of oil glands and prevent hair follicles from plugging.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: relieve swelling and pain.
  
• Corticosteroids or immunosuppressant drugs: minimize inflammation.
• Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors: short-term medications that can treat Hidradenitis Suppurativa fully.

What are some lifestyle changes that may occur when a person has Hidradenitis Suppurativa? How can I prevent getting Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

• Use a warm washcloth to compress the areas that are swelling.
• Use antibacterial soap to maintain the cleanliness of the areas that are affected.
• Wear loose fitting clothes as it prevents skin irritation.
• Try not to shave since shaving can harm areas that are affected.
• Stop smoking because it may improve the development of the disease.
• Lose weight since extra weight develops more places where skin rubs together. This leads to more friction, perspiration, and bacterial growth.