Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)
-
7 to 10 years
average time for an accurate diagnosis
-
1% to 4%
of the global population
-
Not just a skin disease
it is systemic
UNDERSTANDING Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)
Beyond “Recurrent Boils”: Understanding the Complexity of HS
For many patients in Birmingham and Hoover, Hidradenitis Suppurativa begins as what appears to be a simple “ingrown hair” or a recurring “boil” in sensitive areas like the underarms or groin. If you find yourself dealing with painful, deep-seated bumps that keep returning, you know that this is more than a skin irritation—it is a condition that impacts your comfort, mobility, and confidence.
At Inverness Dermatology, we recognize the frustration of being misdiagnosed. We provide an empathetic, clinical environment where your symptoms are taken seriously and treated with the most advanced medical protocols available.
Decoding the Follicular Cycle
While it may look like an infection on the surface, Hidradenitis Suppurativa is actually a chronic inflammatory disorder of the hair follicle. When the follicle becomes occluded (blocked), it can rupture beneath the skin, leading to the formation of painful abscesses. Over time, these can develop into sinus tracts—tunnel-like structures under the skin that are a hallmark of more advanced cases.
The Inverness Dermatology Diagnostic Approach
Our board-certified team evaluates HS (ICD-10: L73.2) through the lens of the Hurley Staging System. This allows us to determine whether your case is localized (Stage I) or involves more extensive scarring and tract formation (Stage III).
How Treatment Works
Management involves controlling the inflammatory cascade. At Inverness Dermatology, we utilize a combination of Immunomodulators (biologics) to quiet the overactive immune response.
CLINICAL DETAILS
A Breakdown of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)
-
Stage I
Single or multiple isolated abscesses (lumps) without scarring or "tunnels." (Mild)
-
Stage II
Recurrent abscesses that are widely separated, with the beginning of sinus tracts (tunnels) and scarring. (Moderate)
-
Stage III
Widespread involvement with multiple interconnected tunnels and abscesses across an entire area (e.g., the whole armpit). (Severe)
EVIDENCE-BASED CARE
Our Treatment Approach
Board-certified dermatologists are specially trained to diagnose and provide customized treatments.
When to See a Dermatologist
You should consider seeing a dermatologist if you experience:
• Recurrent painful lumps or boils in the same areas
• Lesions that do not heal or keep returning
• Drainage, swelling, or scarring in skin folds
• Increasing pain or spreading lesions
Early diagnosis is important because hidradenitis suppurativa can progress if left untreated.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) FAQ
Clinical answers from our board-certified dermatologists.
While HS is a chronic condition, medical treatments can help control symptoms, reduce flare-ups, and improve skin health.
No. HS is an inflammatory condition related to blocked hair follicles and immune response.
Without treatment, HS may progress and cause deeper inflammation and scarring. Early dermatologic care helps prevent complications.
Yes. Weight management, smoking cessation, and reducing friction in affected areas may help reduce flare-ups.
Absolutely not. This is the most damaging myth about HS. It is an autoinflammatory condition rooted in the hair follicle; no amount of scrubbing or showering can prevent it.
Yes, significantly. There is a very strong statistical link between smoking and HS flares. Nicotine is thought to trigger the inflammatory pathways that cause the hair follicles to plug and rupture.
No. You cannot “catch” HS from someone else, nor can you spread it to other parts of your own body through touch. It is an internal immune system response.
