Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Is there any hope?  I've been dealing with this disease for over 10 years and just when I think it's gone away and maybe I won't have any more lessions ..... I'll have another flare up.  So many surgeries and so many doctors ..... still no real concrete answers.  What can I expect from the future?  Will it get progressivley worse?  Is there any hope at all?


This discussion is related to Hidradenitis Supporativa???.

[martikadragoon]

The ideal treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) should provide a high likelihood of cure with a low recurrence rate, as well as minimal inconvenience and loss of work time. Medical management is recommended in early stages, whereas surgery should be performed as early as possible after the formation of abscesses, fistulas, scars, and sinus tracts (see Surgical Care).28 Treatment may include the following:

•Local hygiene and ordinary hygiene
•Weight reduction in patients who are obese
•Use of ordinary soaps and antiseptic and antiperspirant agents (eg, 6.25% aluminum chloride hexahydrate in absolute ethanol)
•Application of warm compresses with sodium chloride solution or Burow solution
•Wearing of loose-fitting clothing
•Medical anti-inflammatory or antiantiandrogen therapy such as tetracycline, intralesional triamcinolone, or finasteride
•Biologic therapy
In one series, radiation therapy by irradiation with single doses of 0.5-1.5 Gy to total doses of 3.0-8.0 Gy was given as a treatment option for hidradenitis suppurativa.57 The use of x-rays in depilating doses to achieve temporary epilation has been suggested. The possible beneficial effects of laser epilation do, however, suggest that hair removal may be of independent importance.

In one study, nearly one quarter of patients were unable to list any measure that helped their condition, despite an average disease duration of nearly 19 years. This outcome indicates that the available treatments for hidradenitis suppurativa are, on the whole, still unsatisfactory. Surgical approaches, which were used in almost half the patients, were included in those treatments

Hopefully this helps, you can always ask our "Ask an Expert" forum with our doctors.

Cindie
Martikadragoon CL Dermatology

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a skin disease that affects areas bearing apocrine sweat glands and hair follicles; such as the underarms, groin and buttocks esp in women.

Apply warm compresses on the lumps and keep the area clean. Topical antiseptic treatment and topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment is very useful. If still the lumps persist then specific treatment like antibiotics, vit A supplements, corticosteroid injections, isotretinoin, antiandrogens and sometimes excision and drainage ,laser therapy and radiotherapy are found useful. I feel that you should consult a dermatologist and discuss these options with him.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.