Inflammatory acne-like lesions that persist over time characterize acne inversa, also termed hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). These eruptions can lead to painful abscesses and noticeable scarring when left untreated. It can be embarrassing and painful for someone with HS if their symptoms manifest in the groin, underarms, or buttocks. The skin condition is so common that the Mayo Clinic claims it affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives.
Inflammatory acne-like lesions that persist over time characterize acne inversa, also termed hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). If left untreated, these eruptions can cause painful abscesses and noticeable scarring. Discomfort and social awkwardness might result from HS symptoms manifesting in the groin, underarms, or buttocks. About 15% of those with HS will develop abscesses or scars due to their skin condition. The widespread prevalence of skin disease justifies this. Most of us will experience acne breakouts ranging from moderate to severe.
Researchers believe that hidradenitis suppurativa results from genetic, hormonal, and immunological factors predisposing the skin to infection and inflammation. Your risk of acquiring HS increases dramatically if your parents or siblings have the disease or if you have had it before.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin condition that is extremely prevalent, as reported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Roughly 1 in 20 will be affected by it. Since psoriasis affects about 1 in 50 persons, eczema is roughly three times more common. Roughly 19 million Americans over the age of 12 are affected by HS.
According to the National Institute of Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health, the onset of HS often occurs between the ages of 15 and 25, with females being affected more commonly than boys. Although there is currently no cure for HS, discovering methods to manage its symptoms can be extremely helpful.
First, if you take care of your HS symptoms right away, you'll lessen the likelihood of future complications. To avoid more serious scarring or larger abscesses, you must seek treatment for your underlying symptoms as soon as possible once they first appear. The Cleveland Clinic warns that delaying treatment for a skin condition might lead to a more severe case that is more difficult to treat.
It will be necessary to have an evaluation by your doctor to confirm a diagnosis of HS. A physical examination and bloodwork will probably be part of this assessment. They will look at your medical history and ask questions about your symptoms, such as when they initially emerged and how often they returned. Your doctor will be aided in making a diagnosis by this information.
Checking for pockmarks, abscesses, cysts, and other symptoms may indicate the presence of HS on the affected skin area. It's important to remember that first assessments may miss inflammation in some areas. In conclusion, we can gain a deeper understanding of HS by looking into other skin issues that may be linked to it, like acne. Next, the doctor will likely order tests to rule out more serious conditions, like fungal infections or systemic disorders, that could be causing the skin condition.