Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and often debilitating condition. The disease can range from few to multiple asymptomatic to severely painful lesions.
HS is often dismissed as “ingrown hair” or a “minor infection” & hence, left untreated and misdiagnosed. Due to the site of lesions (most commonly the axilla, groins, thighs, breast), patients can experience extreme discomfort in doing even their routine activities. Apart from this, patients are often embarrassed & anxious about the condition.
What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Simply put, Hidradenitis Suppurativa means that the patient suffering from it can have recurrent abscesses, sinus tracts, and painful nodules — in areas of the body where there are sweat glands. These lesions, if not treated properly at the right time, can lead to healing with severe scarring. The disease is progressive and can flare up due to a number of causes.
In the current era of advanced medications, once diagnosed, the condition can be treated and kept under control. The treatment process varies from patient to patient. But all cases require self-care, wound care, and lifestyle modification as a primary modality. You may require long term antibiotics, steroids, or immunosuppressive agents to calm the inflammation. Scarring can be managed by laser therapy. Only the worst cases, may require surgical management.
HS is not something that you just come to terms with overnight. It can affect your ability to work, study and do normal things. HS presents on the skin, but it can really take a toll on the whole body, emotionally and physically.
Visit a certified Dermatologist if you have even the smallest painful/ recurrent lesion on your skin. HS is a chronic condition, but with the right management can be controlled to let you live a better life.
We at DY Patil Healthcare take a careful history and examine our patients and give personalized skin care regimes for all of our patients. The hospital is also actively researching new modalities for better outcomes for HS. We are currently conducting trials for use of newer biologics in the treatment of the disease.
We offer various options for treatment – ranging from oral medications, laser treatment, biological therapy, and surgical management. Each patient’s treatment modality would be tailor-made depending upon the severity of lesions.
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Content by:
Dr. Sharmila Patil (Professor & Head of Dermatology, Venerology & Leprosy Cosmetology)
Dr. Aswathy Radhakrshnan – Resident – Department of Dermatology)
