Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease.
Known trigger factors are smoking, increased sweating, mechanical stimuli and obesity.
Some patients have a hereditary predisposition, but many do not. Depending on the data collected, between 0.05 % and 2.10 % of the population are affected by this disease. Known trigger factors are smoking, increased sweating, mechanical stimuli and obesity.
In summary, the severity of the disease is divided into 3 stages according to Hurley.
Almost all patients who smoke notice a significant improvement in their skin condition after they stop smoking. The reduction of other trigger factors mentioned above also leads to an improvement in symptoms.
Overall, the most effective treatment method is the large-scale surgical removal of abscesses and fistulas from the affected areas of the body.
Antiseptic and antibiotic creams and solutions as well as antibiotics in tablet form can reduce germs on the skin and thus significantly improve patients’ quality of life.
Adalimumab (Humira®), a tumor necrosis factor-α blocker, has been approved since 2016 for the treatment of acne inversa in patients in the intermediate and advanced stages.
Several off-label therapies such as zinc gluconate, botulinium toxin, low dose doxycycline, etc. are promising but not (yet) approved for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa.
Further information on the modern treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa can be found in our patient brochure. You can also order a printed version of the brochure.
Senior Physician, Department of Dermatology
Attending Physician, Department of Dermatology
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