Hidradenitis suppurativa for the nondermatology clinician

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin condition resulting in the formation of nodules, sinus tracts, and abscesses typically in intertriginous regions. HS management is often difficult and involves a multimodal approach, evaluating the benefit of both medical and surgical treatment options, along with treating associated pain and medical comorbidities that present concomitantly with the disease. In this article, we synthesize for the nondermatology clinician the evidence for various HS treatments, along with the diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for HS published by the British Association of Dermatologists, US and Canadian HS Foundations, HS ALLIANCE, Canadian Dermatology Association, and Brazilian Society of Dermatology. Management of HS requires an individualized, patient-centered approach due to the lack of rigorous evidence for many interventions.

Keywords: Acne inversa; Verneuil’s disease; diagnostic guidelines; hidradenitis suppurativa; treatment.