(Inflammatory lesions, cysts – sores in the armpits, perianal area, buttocks, below the breasts)
By Dr. Nektarios Logaras – Dermatologist/Venereologist

What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

-Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory, malignant skin disease that is characterized by the appearance of painful nodules, abscesses, and deformed scars.
-It mainly affects women and occurs in the ages of 20-30.
-It is located mainly in areas rich in responsive sweat glands, armpits, around the breasts, around the anus (perineum), genitals, femoral areas, groin, buttocks, in the upper and inner surface of thighs, neck and back.
-The armpits are more affected than other areas
-The hidradenitis suppurativa is due to the obstruction of the hair follicles of the skin.
-An underlying immune disorder may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Immunological factors
Recent studies suggest that an underlying immune disorder may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Risk factors
Studies by Revuz and his colleagues have shown that smoking and obesity are not the primary causative agents of the disease but are related to it and may worsen it.

Clinical picture

The disease has a varied course and severity.
-The diagnosis is made based on clinical characteristics and based on criteria adopted by the 21st International Conference on Hidradenitis Suppurativa in 2009 in San Francisco.
-Lesions are divided into primary and secondary.

Staging

-Stage 1. Mild disease. Inflammatory nodules and abscesses without scars.
-Stage 2. Moderate disease. One or multiple inflammatory nodules – abscesses + scars with healthy skin between them.
-Stage 3. Severe disease. Diffuse or almost diffuse infection, abscesses that communicate with each other, scars.