Keratosis Hidradenitis Suppartiva
Keratosis hidradenitis, often referred to as hidradenitis suppurativa, is a chronic skin condition that causes painful bumps under the skin, usually in areas where skin rubs together like the armpits, groin, and under the breasts.
DISEASES & DISORDERS
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Chronic, recurrent and painful condition of skin, also known as acne inversa
Signs of inflammation are present in areas containing apocrine sweat glands
Location : armpits, breasts, groin, abdomen folds and buttocks
Presentation : boil like lumps, pus draining tunnels under the skin, nodules.
Pathology : Within HS there is a blockage of the hair follicles. This causes a mixture of boil-like lumps, areas leaking pus, and scarring.
Hidradenitis suppurativa tends to begin around puberty. It is more common in women and in people with skin of colour. It is estimated to affect about 1% of the population.
What causes hidradenitis suppurativa?
No known cause has been found yet, but it is thought the inflamed spots or lumps develop when there is a blockage of the hair follicles. As the fluid or pus in the spots and lumps cannot escape, the hair follicles may swell up and burst causing the area to become inflamed or form abscesses and become severely infected.
Contributory factors include the following:
Hormones may be involved in the control of apocrine sweat glands and might play a part in the disease. In women, HS may be worse before menstrual periods.
Bacteria (germs) that normally live on the skin may become trapped in the blocked gland or hair follicle. It is not clear whether this causes the disease or just contributes to the inflammation.
The immune system is involved in producing inflammation and treatments that reduce the immune system activity may be helpful.
Smoking and obesity are linked with HS (up to 60% of patients with HS are smokers), but the condition can also affect non-smokers of normal weight.
Hidradenitis suppurativa runs in the families of about one third of those with the condition and it can’t be passed on to another person by contact.
Signs and Symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa:
Pain: The abscesses associated with hidradenitis suppurativa are typically painful.
Affected Areas: Commonly affects areas such as the armpits, groin, genital and pubic regions, and can also involve the skin around the anus, buttocks, thighs, and breasts.
Discomfort: The pain may cause discomfort, particularly when sitting or moving one's arms.
Pus Discharge: Pus discharge is common and may necessitate daily dressings.
Psychological Impact: The condition can lead to severe psychological effects, including depression.
Associated Conditions: There can be a link with joint inflammation (arthritis).
Early Stages: In the early stages, symptoms include a mixture of blackheads, pus-filled spots, and red lumps that resemble boils or cysts.
Later Stages: As the condition progresses, tunnels may form under the skin, which leak pus and cause wounds that are slow to heal.
Scarring: Over time, increased scarring may occur.
Diagnosis:
There is no specific test on which the diagnosis can be made. The condition is often misdiagnosed initially as an infection or inflammation of the hair follicles which can result in delayed treatment and progression of the disease with scarring.
Can hidradenitis suppurativa be cured?
Homoeopathic treatment usually not only helps by reducing the symptoms and draining the abscess at earliest but also reduces the chances of recurrence by 40%.
References:
British Association of Dermatologists. Hidradenitis suppurativa. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/hidradenitis-suppurativa/