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Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition1,2. HS causes painful bumps, or nodules, under the skin that are similar to boils. These bumps can become fluid-filled abscesses, or sores, that can burst or leak, and cause scarring as they heal1,2.
HS is not a rash, and it’s not contagious, meaning people with HS cannot catch it from someone else or pass it on to other people. HS is not curable, but it can be managed with the proper treatment.
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Who can get hidradenitis suppurativa?
Anyone can get HS. However, most people develop HS after puberty, usually in their late teens or twenties. More women than men have HS, and women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) seem to be especially likely to develop HS3. Women may experience HS flares around the time of their monthly period4.
HS has a strong genetic element: around three to four out of every 10 people with HS report that other members of their family are affected2. Environmental factors such as being overweight or smoking may also play a role2.
What causes hidradenitis suppurativa?
HS is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes inflammation throughout the body. In HS, this inflammation affects hair follicles in the skin. Hair follicles are tunnel-shaped structures extending from underneath the skin to the surface of the skin, through which hair grows. Inflammation can cause hair follicles to become blocked and enlarged, which can rupture causing painful nodules and leaking abscesses1,2. Sometimes the sores connect under the skin and form painful tunnels that increase scarring.
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Which parts of the body does hidradenitis suppurativa affect?
HS mostly appears on areas of the body where skin rubs against skin or clothing. In particular areas where there are both terminal hair follicles (longer, thicker hair) and glands that produce sweat (apocrine glands)2,5. These include inner thighs, ears, the back of the neck, the buttocks, armpits, groin area, and breasts2.
References
MedLine Hidradenitis suppurativa 2021 [Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/hidradenitis-suppurativa/.
Napolitano M, Megna M, Timoshchuk EA, Patruno C, Balato N, Fabbrocini G, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa: from pathogenesis to diagnosis and Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:105-15.
Phan K, Charlton O, Smith Hidradenitis suppurativa and polycystic ovarian syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Australas J Dermatol. 2020;61(1):e28-e33.
Riis PT, Ring HC, Themstrup L, Jemec GB. The Role of Androgens and Estrogens in Hidradenitis Suppurativa - A Systematic Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2016;24(4):239-49.
Nguyen TV, Damiani G, Orenstein LAV, Hamzavi I, Jemec GB. Hidradenitis suppurativa: an update on epidemiology, phenotypes, diagnosis, pathogenesis, comorbidities and quality of J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35(1):50-61.
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