An Overview of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Posted by on June 5, 2011 Leave a Comment

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (or HS) is a chronic skin disorder that usually affects the sebaceous and sweat glands in various areas of the body like the groin, inner thighs, underarms, and breasts. The non-communicable disease, also occasionally called Acne Inversa, typically manifests as clusters of long-term, painful, pus-filled cysts of varying types.

Symptoms of the disease can include blackheads; red abscesses that can grow, leak and break open; inflammation; lesions; scarring; and infections that can form in subcutaneous tracts. Abscesses associated with HS can inflame to the size of golf balls or sometimes baseballs. Rarely, severe complications can lead to a type of cancer and, even more rarely, death.

HS is understudied and easily misdiagnosed. As such, there is a lack of consensus among experts regarding causes. It is believed to occur when apocrine glands become plugged due to excessive sweating, genetic predisposition, bacterial infection, genetic disorders in cells, or other factors. It is more common in woman and adults, and can be exacerbated by obesity, tight clothing, and very humid climates.

Treatments vary depending on severity. They can include alterations in lifestyle like avoiding inflammatory foods, losing weight, using warm compresses, icing inflamed areas, and hydrotherapy. Medical treatments include antibiotics and a wide variety of drugs, therapies, and electron beam radiotherapy. More severe HS can be treated via surgeries in which the affected area is removed and skin grafts are applied.

There is much to be understood about hidradenitis suppurativa. But given advancements in medicine and continued study of the rare skin disease, HS treatments will become more effective and severe cases, even more rare.

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Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatment

Posted by on May 8, 2011 Leave a Comment
Abscess on back of adult female leg. Cleaned a... 

Image via Wikipedia

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a skin disease that affects areas that contain sweat glands, such as the underarms, inner thighs, and breasts. People often refer to it as a severe form of acne. This disease causes abscesses, or puss filled, blister-like sores and often results in scars. These abscesses are extremely painful leave wounds that often will not heal.

There are several misconceptions about this disease, but despite these misconceptions, Hidradenitis suppurativa is not contagious or caused because of poor hygiene. This disease may be linked to genetics, and women with a history of acne are more likely to get it. If you think you are susceptible to hidradenitis suppurativa or that you may have it, there are ways to treat it.

This disease is treated by certain antibiotics given either orally or applied to the skin. In some mild cases, simply applying warm compresses and washing the affected area with soap can help treat it, but in more severe cases certain medication is required.

There is no definite way to prevent a flare-up once you have it, but avoiding tight clothing, hot climates, shaving, deodorant, and stress, may help to prevent it. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise schedule may also prevent flair-ups.

The best way to get the best treatment is to talk to your doctor. The sooner you talk to your doctor, the faster you can get treated without it getting out of hand. Your doctor will be able to prescribe an antibiotic that will help treat your disease, which will prevent pain and scarring.

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Ways to Cope With Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Posted by on March 28, 2011 Leave a Comment

It might seem a bit extreme to have to seek the support of others for a simple medical condition but hidradenitis suppurativa is anything but simple or normal. Due to the many lesions and sores the condition can be hard for many people to go out in public. It can also be very painful which makes socialization hard. There are many coping mechanisms and support groups that are available for those that suffer from hidradenitis suppurativa. Here is a look at some ways that you can help yourself cope with this condition.

Education and Research. It is important to understand exactly what hidradenitis suppurativa is and what symptoms you are experiencing. It is believed that the more you know the less distressed you will feel. Your doctor or dermatologist may have great recommendations for where to learn about this skin condition.

Following Directions. Your doctor or dermatologist will give you various recommendations for treatment. It is important to follow them exactly as this can prevent the condition from reoccurring or reduce the amount of stress that can come with the condition.

Support Systems. It is always a good idea to have a good support system. Support systems can range from friends and family members to those that have hidradenitis suppurativa. Many people who suffer from this condition find comfort in talking to others through an online group or social network. The ability to talk and discuss what you are going through will often  help people cope with the condition that they have.

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At Home Treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Posted by on March 24, 2011 Leave a Comment

Hidradenitis suppurativa can often be treated through at home treatment. In fact, most mild cases of hidradenitis suppurativa will be successfully treated through at home remedies. Here is a look at some of the at home remedies that are used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa.

Warm Compresses. Applying a warm compress either by a heating pad or a washcloth can often help reduce the swelling and inflammation that is caused by hidradenitis suppurativa. Warm compresses can also help remove some of the debris that is clogging the sweat or oil glands.

Cleaning The Affected Area. To avoid having hidradenitis suppurativa form at all it is recommended to make sure that the affected areas are cleaned. This can be done with a washcloth and an antibacterial soap. It is also recommended that you apply over the counter antibiotic cream to the affected area.

Loose Fitting Clothing. It is believed that by wearing loose fitting clothing you can prevent any type of skin irritation. Skin irritation might be the cause of the clogging of the oil and sweat glands.

Losing Weight. Excessive weight can cause hidradenitis suppurativa to start up. This is because the excessive skin can cause the skin to rub against each other. This causes bacteria to form in the areas as well as skin irritation. Those that suffer from frequent outbreaks of this condition are recommended to try and lose weight.

Avoid Smoking. Smoke is believed to cause the symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa to occur. It is recommended if you suffer from frequent outbreaks to try to cut back on the amount of smoke that you are exposed to.

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Medical and Surgical Procedures Used to Treat Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Posted by on March 20, 2011 Leave a Comment

While prescription medication is the recommended course of treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa sometimes the condition is just so severe that it requires other alternative forms of treatment. Doctors or dermatologists will usually do one of three types of procedures to help treat this condition. Here is a look at the three treatments for hidradenitis suppurativa.

Incisions and Draining. If the condition is reserved to a small section of the body the doctor may recommend creating an incision and draining the sores. This procedure is usually done in the doctor’s office under local anesthetic. Creating an incision and draining the sore is not a treatment that will prevent the condition from returning but it will provide pain relief to the patient.

Uncovering Tracts and Tunnels. Many times hidradenitis suppurativa is made worse by the fact that there are tunnels and tracts under the skin. This causes the sores and lumps to not be able to heal as fast as they should. The doctor can perform a surgical procedure that involves the cutting of the skin or flesh and exposing the tracts or tunnels. This allows the sores and lesions to heal over time. Again this is not a treatment but instead will provide pain relief and a quicker healing time.

Removal Through Surgery. Through a complex surgery a doctor can remove all the skin that is in an affected area. This is done by removing the skin that is closest to the area and replacing it with a skin graft. Removal has been known to successfully treat the condition but only in the area that has been removed. The condition can still occur in other areas of the body.

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What Causes Hirdradenitis Suppurativa

Posted by on March 17, 2011 Leave a Comment

Whenever anyone suffers from an illness or medical condition they want to know why the condition is happening to them. If you are experiencing problems with hidradenitis suppurativa you may be wondering exactly what the cause of this skin condition is. Here is a look at the cause of hidradenitis suppurativa.

Hirdradenitis suppurativa is a skin condition that occurs when the various glands of the body become blocked. Usually the blockage occurs in the armpits, groin and hair follicle area. The blockage is usually filled with dirt, bodily fluids, dead skin cells and other matter that has become trapped within the oil and sweat glands. Many medical experts believe that the blockage is a result of the mixture of these foreign substances and the oil or sweat the body produces.

When these areas of the body experience a blockage it can then attract various types of bacteria. When bacteria are introduced to this condition it can result in the painful, tender bumps and lesions of the body that are part of having hidradenitis suppurativa. The bumps and lesions become painful due to the inflammation that is caused by the infection and blockage of the pores and sweat or oil glands.

At the moment it is unclear exactly why this particular skin condition exists. There have been many tests and research conducted to figure out exactly why the sweat and oil glands start to act like this. One of the most common beliefs regarding this condition is that it can be directly related to other auto-immune diseases such as Crohn’s disease or Graves’ disease. However, there is no solid evidence that these conditions are directly related to the skin condition. Another common belief is that this skin condition is really just aggravated by surrounding environmental factors such as exposure to smoke, pollen or gaining weight and could be a condition that is more environmental than medical.

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Medications Commonly Used to Treat Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Posted by on March 16, 2011 Leave a Comment

As with any medical condition hidradenitis suppurativa might be able to be treated through prescription medication. The type of treatment and medication that you are put on will depend solely upon where the outbreaks are occurring, the severity of the outbreaks and the frequency of the outbreaks. Here is a look at the type of medications that are commonly used to help treat hidradenitis suppurativa.

Antibiotics. Many health care providers will prescribe antibiotics to help treat any infections that might be a result of the bacteria that can cause this condition. Many studies have shown that antibiotics that are taken in the beginning of the disease could actually prevent future outbreaks or lessen the severity of the disease.

Oral Retinoid Medications. These medications are prescribed and will try to stop the oil glands from functioning. It is believed by stopping the oil glands it prevents the condition from happening in the first place.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to help sooth or calm the pain that is associated with the lumps and bumps of the condition. It will also help any swelling that can occur as a result of the disease.

Corticosteroids or immunosuppressant Drugs. These are usually prescribed only in the early stages of the disease. It is believed that these can help reduce inflammation and prevent any swelling from occurring.

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Inhibitors. Recently these types of medications have been found to help cure or treat hidradenitis suppurativa. These medications will only be prescribed in the early stages of the disease and can only be taken for a brief period of time due to the serious symptoms that can occur as a result of prolonged use of this medication.

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How Hidradenitis Suppurativa is Diagnosised

Posted by on March 9, 2011 Leave a Comment

One of the first things patients expect their doctor to do when they come in with certain conditions is to run medical tests to diagnosis their condition. When hidradenitis suppurativa is present there are a few things that your doctor will do to try to give you the best diagnosis for your condition. Here is what to expect when it comes to trying to reach a diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa.

Oral History. Your doctor will ask you extensive questions regarding your health history, family history and when you experience symptoms associated with this skin condition. The answers will help the doctor better understand when these symptoms appear and what might be the cause of it.

Symptom Chart. Some doctor’s will ask that you keep a symptom chart for a month or two. This will be a chart where you write down what symptoms you have and when they appear. This can help a doctor detect a pattern to the condition you are suffering from.

Skin Examination. A skin examination will be run on any lumps, lumps or lesions that might have been formed on the skin. This will allow the doctor to closely examine what is going on and could help reach a diagnosis.

Blood Tests. Your doctor will order a routine blood panel to be done. Although hidradenitis suppurativa will not show up on a blood panel, this will allow the doctor to rule out any other skin conditions that might mimic this condition.

Culture of Pus. When visiting the doctor if you happen to have a lesion that might be pus filled the doctor might run a culture on the pus. This will allow them to examine what could be the cause of the disease as well as rule out any other types of skin conditions that might cause pus filled glades.

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Potential Causes of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Posted by on March 7, 2011 Leave a Comment

While there is no exact reason for why the skin condition of hidradenitis suppurativa happens, it is believed that certain environmental and lifestyle choices could prompt this painful skin condition to appear. Many medical experts recommend that people try to avoid these environmental and lifestyle choices. Here is a look at what people are recommended to stay away from.

Hormone Imbalance. Many times when there is a known hormonal imbalance it could cause hidradenitis suppurativa to occur in certain individuals. Hormonal imbalances can happen due to natural means, through certain herbal supplements or even due to prescription medications mainly birth control. One of the first tests that a doctor or dermatologist will run is a hormone test to make sure that all the levels are as they should be.

Cigarette Smoking. Cigarette smoking has hundreds of consequences. One of those is that it can aggravate the skin condition hidradenitis suppurativa. Those that have a history of hidradenitis suppurativa are recommended to try to stop smoking completely or to avoid it when there is an outbreak of the skin condition. It is believed that the smoke might cause the oil and sweat glands to become even more blocked up than previously.

Excess Weight. Individuals who are slightly overweight can sometimes suffer from the skin condition more than those that are of average weight. Experts believe that the excessive weight causes the oil and sweat glands to work improperly which can cause the condition to appear in many individuals.

By avoiding cigarette smoke and losing weight individuals who have a history of hidradenitis suppurativa will be able to reduce the amount of lesions and bumps that they experience over time. While it won’t cure the condition it will allow them to have a break from any outbreaks.

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Complications That Can Happen As a Results of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Posted by on February 23, 2011 Leave a Comment

It is recommended if you suffer from hidradenitis suppurativa that you seek medical attention if the condition is not treated through self-care after one to two weeks. Should hidradenitis suppurativa be left untreated for a long time it could result in severe and constant medical problems. It is believed that seeking medical attention could prevent any further medical conditions from occurring.

Here is a look at the medical conditions that can happen as a result of leaving hidradenitis suppurativa untreated.

Tunneling of the Sinuses or Formation of Tracts. When the condition is left untreated for a lengthy period of time there is a chance that the sinus cavities can start to form a tunnel or tract system. When this happens it causes the bumps and sores that occur as a result of the condition to take a lot longer to heal than they would naturally.

Skin Damage or Scars. Due to the persistent nature of the condition if left untreated hidradenitis suppurativa will result in extreme skin conditions. These conditions range from scarring that occurs because of the many raised bumps and slow to heal wounds, pitted skins or oil glands and patches of skin that are extremely darker than the natural or surrounding skin tones.

Restricted Movement. When flared up hidradenitis suppurativa can cause movement restriction. This is because the lesions can be painful when brushed or moved. Many people experience problems with movement when the condition effects the armpits or legs/thighs.

Cellulitis. This type of condition will start out as a small bacterial infection. It will appear as a swollen, red area of the skin that is usually hot to touch. The infection will quickly move throughout the body and will dramatically affect the skin and bloodstream. When this occurs it is extremely serious and medical attention should be sought immediately.

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