Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS disease), which is little known among the public and generally hesitated to talk about by patients, can take an average of 10 years to be correctly diagnosed. The scientists say, “If you have painful, recurrent sensitive swelling or discharge wounds under the armpits, groin, buttocks and breasts, consult a dermatologist without hesitation and delay.”
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), popularly known as “hidradenitis or dog udder” disease , is a chronic skin disease that occurs in places where the hair and sweat glands are located.2nd If HS disease is not diagnosed early, these pimples can turn into painful, sensitive swellings and discharged abscesses in the armpits, groin, buttocks and under the breasts.3rd
Diagnosis of HS can be delayed by an average of 10 years
Scientists who pointed out that the wound, which is seen as a simple pimple, may actually be the beginning of HS disease and that the lesions caused by HS adversely affect the lives of patients, “Patients do not go to the doctor because they are afraid or sometimes do not care, or they can apply to branches other than dermatology. Therefore, the diagnosis of HS can be delayed by an average of 10 years. It is very important that doctors in other branches recognize HS disease and refer it to us at an early stage. The earlier the treatment can be started, the better the results can be obtained.”
Stating that the distribution of HS lesions varies according to gender, experts said, “In general, lesions in the genital area and legs are more common in women. The disease is more common in women than in men. In some patients, hidradenite may be accompanied by hair rotation, runny swelling on the scalp, severe pimples on the back and face.”
“HS patients should definitely consult a dermatologist”
Drawing attention to the fact that patients should observe the areas where swelling occurs very well; underlined that if swelling occurs two or more times in the armpits, groin, buttocks and under the breasts in the last 6 months, they should definitely consult a dermatologist.
References:
- Kokolakis G. et al. Dermatology 2020;236:421–430.
- Gulliver W. et al. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2016; 17(3): 343–351.
- Micheletti R. G., Vol. 33, No. 3S, June 2014, Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.,
- Jemec G.B.E. et al. N Engl J Med. 2012; 366:158-64.