Hidradenitis Suppurativa HS
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition causing painful lumps, abscesses, and scars in areas with sweat glands -- armpit, groin, buttocks, and breasts.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a poorly-understood inflammatory skin disease of the hair follicle resulting in the breakdown of the follicle and the scarring of skin as follicles are closed (occluded) and inflammatory substances lead to subcutaneous scarring.n The condition can worsen if not treated.
Our founder - Dr. Noah Scheinfeld -- pioneered the advanced treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). The providers at NSS Dermatology see hundreds of HS patients each year, often diagnosing and offering treatment in one appointment when others have missed over several visits.
Symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)
The symptoms of HS vary depending on the stage and severity, and may last for months or years if not treated.
- Redness, swelling, or tenderness in the affected areas.
- Painful lumps or bumps that can grow larger and deeper over time.
- Abscesses or boils that can burst and drain pus or blood.
- Scars or skin changes that can limit your movement or affect your appearance.
- Sinus tracts or tunnels that can connect the lumps under the skin.
- Odor or itching in the affected areas.
- Fever or fatigue if you have an infection.
Stages of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Stage 1:
- Solitary or multiple isolated abscess formations without scarring or sinus tracts (tunnels of HS that are under the skin and may be far more difficult to treat).
Stage 2:
- Recurrent abscesses often filled with pus, may be single or multiple, some may be widely separated, with sinus tract formation.
Stage 3:
- Broadly spread abscesses with various interconnected sinus tracts.
What to Expect During Treatment
Aconsultation will determine the severity of your HS and provide proper treatment. The stage of your Hidradenitis Suppurativa determines the treatment plan.
First Line of Treatment
- Antibiotics in oral and/topical form.
Second Line of Treatment
- Combinations of oral antibiotics with other medications .
- Incision and drainage/excision of HS-related cysts and abscesses .
- Injections of Intralesional Kenalog injections (cortisone injections) low dose .
Third Line Treatments
- Immunosuppressants .
- Anti-inflammatory medicationsHair removal by laser in combination with other therapies .
- Referral to surgical specialists for excision of tissue involved with HS in extreme cases.
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