Hidradenitis Suppurativa - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is chronic inflammatory and skin condition. It is also known as ‘acne inversa'. Hidradenitis Suppurativa vary greatly, it can be as slight as black heads. Hidradenitis suppurativa tends to start after puberty, persist for years and worsen over time. It effects inverse areas of the body, top of inner thighs, bottom, genitals, armpits, under the breasts in women and less commonly the stomach, hair line and behind the ears. The disease is a chronic acneiform infection of the cutaneous apocrine glands that also can involve adjacent subcutaneous tissue and fascia. The hallmark of the disease is sinus tracts (which can become draining fistulas) in the apocrine gland body areas. It commonly occurs on apocrine sweat gland-bearing skin such as in the groin, the underarms and under the breasts. It is more common in women and African Americans. It may run in families, but it is not contagious. Poor cleaning does not cause this disease. It usually begins after you become a teenager and before age 40.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is painful and can be disabling but is rarely fatal, except when it progresses to overwhelming systemic infection in an immunocompromised patient. Premary symptoms is small pitted areas of skin containing blackheads, often appearing in pairs or a "double-barrel" pattern. Secondry symptoms is red, tender bumps (lesions) that fill with pus. The bumps often enlarge, break open and drain pus. The drainage may have an unpleasant odor. Itching, burning and excessive sweating may accompany the bumps. Extensive disease can prevent patients from performing normal work functions and from engaging in normal social activities. In some patients, especially those with severe disease, the condition creates significant psychological problems, particularly regarding sexual relationships.

Causes of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Common causes of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

• Crohn disease.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Down syndrome.
• Certain forms of arthritis.
• Graves disease or Hashimoto thyroiditis.
• Sjögren syndrome.
• Herpes simplex.
• Clogging of the apocrine glands.
• Stress.
• Cigarette smoking.
• Endocrine factors (obesity, hirsutism and acne).

Symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Common Symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

• Pitted areas of skin.
• Lesions.
• Pain.
• Itching.
• Burning.
• Excessive sweating.

Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Common Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

• Surgical treatment of recurrent or severe symptoms involves removal of all involved skin followed by direct closure with skin flaps or with skin grafting (removing skin from one area of your body and attaching it to another).
• Oral retinoid medications to stop oil gland functions and to prevent the plugging of the hair follicle.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and swelling.
• Corticosteroids or immunosuppressant drugs
• Antibiotics, ( tetracyclines) long term as a preventive measure, and short term (typically Ciprofloxicillin) for secondary infections.

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