what is hidradenitis suppurativa?

Question

what is hidradenitis suppurativa?

Answer 1

"Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a common, disabling dermatosis with a profound impact to patients quality of life. The clinical presentation of the disease is characteristic and allows simple diagnosis. It has been suggested that HS be described as inverse recurrent suppuration (IRS) as this sums up its clinical presentation of recurrent lesions clinically resembling boils, unresponsive to conventional therapy, located to inverse areas. The lesions are not cystic as with boils, which explains the lack of effect of simple lancing, nor do the patients have lesions outside inverse areas."

Dr Gregor Jemec, Denmark from "Medical Treatment of HS" 2004

Answer 2

in plain English, it is getting an infection in an area that sweats a lot and is usually a hairy area - like your armpits or between your legs (in the groin area). It is like a boil and is usually very painful.