Hidradenitis Suppurativa
There is no denying that once you hit puberty, numerous physical and emotional changes come along. On the physical side, Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a skin condition that can be hereditary and can start after puberty.
What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a skin condition that causes painful lumps to form under the skin. The lumps are smaller and usually develop in areas where the skin rubs together, like the armpits, buttocks, breasts, and groin areas. These lumps can take time to heal and, in severe cases, can lead to scarring.
This skin condition typically starts after puberty and can last for a long time. Once you have Hidradenitis Suppurativa, it is likely to recur and can affect your emotional well-being. This condition can be managed by surgery and medical therapy to prevent complications.
Here are the different symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa:
Painful Pea-Sized Lumps
It starts with a single, painful lump under the skin that can persist for weeks or longer. The lumps usually develop in areas where the skin rubs together, especially where more sweat and oil glands are present.
Tunnels
If you have Hidradenitis Suppurativa over time, tunnels can form under your skin. These tunnels are wounds that can take a long time to heal.
Blackheads
Blackheads can appear on small pitted areas of skin and usually appear in pairs.
How is Hidradenitis Suppurativa Diagnosed?
It is very common for this skin condition to be mistakenly diagnosed as ingrown hair or a skin infection. Numerous people have undiagnosed Hidradenitis Suppurativa for several years before getting the correct medical diagnosis.
Once you see a doctor, the diagnosis will rely on the physical signs and symptoms you are experiencing. The doctor will also look at the skin’s appearance and ask for your medical history. A dermatologist referral will likely occur because this type of condition is often challenging to diagnose and entails specialized care.
Common Treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Depending on the severity of the skin condition, medication or surgery will be recommended to get rid of Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Here are some of the common medications and types of surgery that your doctor will recommend:
Medications for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Antibiotics
If your symptoms are mild, topical antibiotics in liquid and gel form can help with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. If you have more severe symptoms, your doctor can diagnose you with Monodox, Cleocin, or Rimactane.
Steroids
Steroid injections can also help curb the symptoms of this skin condition. It can help with sores and reduce inflammation.
Retinoid
There are times when this condition can manifest in acne-like symptoms, and Retinoid can help with this. Keep in mind that Retinoid is not recommended for pregnant women or if you’re breastfeeding.
Surgery for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Laser Therapy
Carbon Dioxide lasers can help the sores disappear and will not return.
Surgical Removal
If your symptoms are persistent and don’t go away easily, surgery will be recommended to remove all affected skin. Afterward, a skin graft can be done to close the wound.
