Hidradenitis suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, painful and debilitating inflammatory skin disease.1 It is quite a common condition, affecting an estimated 1 in 100 people in the UK.2
In its initial stages, HS can often be mistaken for other skin conditions such as acne or ingrown hairs2 and there can be a delay in diagnosis of up to ten years due to misdiagnosis.3,4 The main symptoms are boils, abscesses and pus-leaking channels in the skin. It only affects skin with a specific type of sweat gland, so it typically occurs in the armpits, groin, buttocks, around the anus and under the breasts.2,5
The cause of HS is not fully understood.5 It is thought that sex hormones, such as oestrogen and testosterone, may play a part in the onset of HS.2 Other potential causes include: genetics, over-activity of the immune system and chronic inflammation, obesity and smoking.5 It is important to know that HS does not spread from one person to another and it is not linked to poor hygiene.6
The flare-ups, severe pain and skin scarring associated with the more severe forms of HS can all have a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life, both physically and emotionally.7
People with HS often experience societal stigma, worrying about or directly experiencing negative interactions in social settings, in response to their visible symptoms. These feelings can lead to embarrassment, social isolation, low self-esteem and sexual life impairment, causing considerable psychological distress, and impacting all areas of life, including interpersonal relationships and work.8,9
For people living with HS, taking a simple shower feels like a thousand piercing needles. We understand HS can mean a life of excruciating physical and psychological pain,9 which is why partnering with the dermatology community is crucial, to help progress our understanding of the disease and do our best to improve the care and quality of life of those affected.
To learn more about hidradenitis-suppurativa, head to HS Ireland.
For healthcare professionals:
For healthcare professionals looking to learn more about HS, visit our HS microsite and listen to the ‘Under the Skin’ podcast. If you want to learn more about UCB in dermatology, visit UCB Connect.
References
1 Lee EY, et al. What is hidradenitis suppurativa? Can Fam Physician. 2017 Feb;63(2):114-120.
2 NHS. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa. Last accessed: December 2024.
3 Martins IA, et al. Diagnostic Delay in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Still an Unsolved Problem. Skin Appendage Disord 2024;10 (2): 129–132.
4 Kokolakis G, et al. Delayed Diagnosis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Its Effect on Patients and Healthcare System. Dermatology. 2020;236(5):421-430. doi: 10.1159/000508787.
5 Patient. Hidradenitis suppurativa. Available at: https://patient.info/skin-conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa-leaflet#what-is-hidradenitis-suppurativa. Last accessed: December 2024.
6 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Basics. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/hidradenitis-suppurativa-hs/basics/symptoms-causes. Last accessed: December 2024
7 Kaur AP, et al. Quality of life in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Acne Inversa): A scoping review. Skin Health and Disease. https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.214.
8 Singh R, et al. Stigmatization, a social perception which may have a debilitating impact on hidradenitis suppurativa patients: an observational study. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023; 315(4): 1049–1052.
9 Koumaki D, et al. Perspectives On Perceived Stigma And Self-Stigma In Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019 Oct 16;12:785-790. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S180036.
IE-BK-2400473 | December 2024