Hidradenitis Suppurativa Signs and Symptoms

Dr. Marc Darst serves on the IDEOM  board of directors (International Dermatology Outcome Measures). Dr. Darst and his colleagues at IDEOM are confident that through a focused, inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based effort, the community will make significant progress in establishing outcomes measures in psoriasis, dermatology, and beyond. Achieving success requires that all key stakeholders (including patient, physician, industry, insurer, and government) participate in the process to ensure the outcomes will be useful and achieve intended results.

Recently Dr Darst's committee developed a critical questionnaire to help patients discover if they are suffering from HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa)

Where you might find HS:

  • Armpits
  • Groin area
  • Inner thighs
  • Buttocks
  • Under the breasts
  • Back of the neck
  • Ears

Bumps and sores can appear on different parts of the body, but most frequently occur where skin rubs against skin or against clothing.

Get help navigating your skin condition by downloading and answering a few questions on this questionnaire.

Recurring bumps and boils that hurt could be HS.

The bumps, boils, and sores (abscesses) of HS often come back more than once in the same area, or areas where skin meets skin, in a 6-month period. These outbreaks can flare and rupture, leaking blood and pus that may have an odor. Over time, they may connect to each other under the skin, forming deep and painful tunnels that can lead to extensive scarring.

HS is sometimes mistaken for an infection, often looking like a deep pimple or ingrown hair that can show up on different areas of the body.