Hidradenitis Suppurativa - Treatment and Symptoms

Hidradenitis is a chronic disease of the apocrine glands which is a form of sweat gland found on certain parts of the body). People with hidradenitis develop plugging or clogging of their apocrine glands without any known reason. It causes chronic scarring and pus formation of the underarms (axilla) and groin/inner thigh areas. This condition is slightly more common in women and African-Americans. In women it can also occur under the breasts. It is similar to acne, which is also a disease of the sebaceous glands. Hidradenitis is more common in people who have had acne. It may be an unusual type of adult acne.

What are the symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa ?

Hidradenitis suppurativa usually occurs as multiple lumps that:

• Are firm, tender, and dome-shaped.
• Vary in size from 1 cm to 3 cm (occasionally larger).
• May open and drain pus.
• black heads and pimples
• lesions, growing to the size of golf balls.

Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

For treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa following treatment is given:

1) Rest, moist heat to extract the pus from the boils, application of warm, wet dressing with topical antibiotics to the affected areas, as well as, oral antibiotics.

2)Corticosteroids (i.e., prednisone) and retinoids (such as isotretinoin) may also help treat the skin lesions. In some cases, corticosteroids may be injected into the skin lesions.

3)Surgery of the affected areas may be necessary in the most persistent cases. Two types of surgical removals include

(1) excision/split skin grafting :Split skin grafting is a technique used in plastic surgery to repair areas of lost or damaged skin. A piece of healthy skin is removed (excision) from one part of the body and transferred to the affected area.

(2) excision/local skin flap cover : Skin flap is a surgical procedure in which a section of the skin and underlying tissue (called a flap) is removed (excision) to cover an area from which skin and deeper tissue have been lost or damaged.

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