The red and painful bumps on your skin may not always be pimples. Instead, these skin breakouts on your neck, armpits, or groin could be a chronic skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa. You may not have heard about this skin disease before, but it is one of the most unpleasant skin issues that may affect your quality of life. Though the exact cause of hidradenitis suppurativa is unknown, it is estimated that genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors may be responsible for it.
Have you noticed any such pimple-like bumps on your body? Are you wondering how to identify them? You have come to the right place. This article explores more about this condition and its symptoms and treatments. Keep reading!
Trivia
Hidradenitis suppurativa is also known as Verneuil’s disease. The disease was named after the French surgeon Aristide Auguste Stanislas Verneuil, who conducted clinical studies on this condition from 1854 to 1865.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also known as acne inversa, is an inflammatory skin condition characterized by recurrent and painful pus-filled bumps that look like pimples and occur under the skin and fistulous tracts. It can occur in many forms, including deep acne-like nodules.
These lesions appear in areas rich in apocrine glands and where the skin rubs together, like your armpits, groin, under the breasts, ears, back of the neck, inner thighs, and buttocks.
This chronic condition is usually painful and affects up to 4% of the population. The acne-like nodules may rupture suddenly to form a painful and deep swollen lump filled with pus. Eventually, it may lead to scarring and sinus tract formation (1).
Did You Know?
Hidradenitis suppurativa was first described by the French surgeon and anatomist Alfred Armand Louis Marie Velpeau in 1839.
According to a study conducted in Canada, a hidradenitis suppurativa patient has some of the lowest quality of life measures than any other dermatologic disease (2). It can lead to psychological distress. Learn more about the symptoms of HS to get it treated to avoid further complications.
Hidradenitis suppurativa begins with a painful skin breakout on the areas where the skin rubs together.
Its symptoms include:
HS may heal very slowly and lead to scarring, abscesses, and tunnels under the skin. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. In mild HS, there may be only one or a few bumps in one area, but they often get worse. In moderate HS, the bumps keep recurring in more than one area on the skin. They may even become bigger and break open. Severe HS is characterized by widespread bumps, scarring, boils, and chronic pain. You may not even be able to move freely due to the pain. Stress, hormonal changes, heat, smoking tobacco, and obesity may worsen the condition too.
Fortunately, HS is not a contagious disease, but its cause is still not clear. Experts believe it could be due to several factors. Learn more about them in the next section.
Other possible associations of HS may be:
Anyone with these conditions is at an increased risk for HS. There are other factors that make certain groups vulnerable to HS. Learn more about them in the next section.
Your chances of developing HS may increase if you:
If you have hidradenitis suppurativa, it is best to get yourself screened for other conditions, like depression, diabetes, or skin cancer, as well.
Getting it diagnosed at the right time will help you treat it effectively. Keep reading to find out how HS is diagnosed.
Your doctor may do a physical examination of the bumps and ask about your medical history and symptoms. They may ask you questions about your family’s medical history as well. If your doctor has ruled out the possibility of any other infection, they will take a sample of skin or pus for testing.
Based on your symptoms and test results, the doctor will determine the stage and severity of your HS and plan the treatment accordingly. Read on to find out the treatment options for hidradenitis suppurativa.
There is no cure for this skin condition. However, treatment can help reduce the pain and severity of the breakouts, promote healing, and prevent further complications.
The treatment plan may include:
If your condition is severe and its symptoms keep recurring, your doctor may recommend surgical options to remove the lesions that have grown deep in your skin. Excision and unroofing (cutting away the skin that covers the tunnel) procedures are proven to be effective treatments with fewer complications and low recurrence rates (6). Other procedures include radiation and laser therapy.
To manage this condition in a better way, you may also try making some lifestyle changes, including:
Amy, a lifestyle blogger, recounted how she was diagnosed with and ended up treating HS. For her, the condition was caused by inflammation that she could control by making minor changes to her diet. But she mentions that this may not work for everyone. She writes, “The most frustrating part of Hidradenitis Suppurativa is finding out that what works for one sufferer does not necessarily work for another. For me, changing my diet has made all the difference in the world (i).”
Quick Tip
Sometimes, the nodules may burst and release an unpleasant odor. You can use antibacterial soaps or hand washes containing benzoyl peroxide or zinc pyrithione to keep the area clean and odor-free.
If you do not take care of your symptoms and treat the condition, you may have to deal with the complications associated with HS. Learn more about them below.
What Are The Complications Associated With Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammatory skin condition that affects the overall quality of a person’s life. If you notice symptoms related to HS, you should consult a doctor immediately. Though there is no cure for this condition, you can reduce its symptoms by getting timely treatment. Otherwise, it may lead to more complications, including skin cancer and psychological issues. The treatment includes antibiotics, biological medications, steroids, retinoidsi A class of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A that help reduce skin discoloration and fine lines. , and hormonal therapy. You may have to go for surgical options if the bumps keep recurring. Making the lifestyle changes mentioned above may also help improve your condition.
Does hidradenitis suppurativa go away?
Even though there is no cure for hidradenitis suppurativa, early detection and treatment can help stop the condition from worsening and creating new scars.
Is hidradenitis suppurativa a STD?
No, hidradenitis suppurativa is not an STD. It can appear on the inner thighs near the genitals, leading some individuals to believe that HS is an STD or another contagious disease. However, people with HIV are prone to developing hidradenitis suppurativa (7). Usually, rashes are early symptoms of HIV. However, unlike HIV rashes that typically appear across the body, hidradenitis suppurativa presents as painful, inflamed nodules and abscesses in specific areas, such as the armpits and groin.
Does hidradenitis suppurativa shorten your life?
According to one study, hidradenitis suppurativa is frequently related to both spondyloarthritisi A group of diseases characterized by inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the spine and joints of the arms and legs. and metabolic changes, which raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and shorten life expectancy (8).
Can you give blood if you have hidradenitis suppurativa?
Yes, you can donate blood even if you have hidradenitis suppurativa. But some of the drugs and medications that you take for it may prevent you from doing so.
Can HS cause infertility in females?
A study found that hidradenitis suppurativa is linked to infertility in both males and females throughout all reproductive age groups, particularly in those between the ages of 36 and 45 and in female patients (9).
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team
Learn more about hidradenitis suppurativa. Get the facts on this painful skin condition and how to manage it effectively by watching this informative video.
Was this article helpful?
Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker
Dr. CP Thajudheen has over 20 years of experience in various lasers, light-based devices, and other advanced equipment. He was one of the beginners who introduced cutaneous lasers in India. He carries out dermato surgeries regularly, including hair grafting and vitiligo surgeries.
Read full bio of Dr. CP Thajudheen
Swathi holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam. With over three years of experience writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle, she is also a certified skin care coach.
Read full bio of Swathi E
Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.
Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.
Read full bio of Monomita Chakraborty