Hidradenitis suppurativa
Last updated 19 Sept 2024
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Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a chronic skin disease characterised by recurrent boil-like lumps (nodules) under the skin. The nodules become inflamed and painful. They tend to break open (rupture), causing abscesses that drain fluid and pus. As the abscesses heal, they produce significant scarring of the skin.
Description
Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a chronic skin disease characterised by recurrent boil-like lumps (nodules) under the skin. The nodules become inflamed and painful. They tend to break open (rupture), causing abscesses that drain fluid and pus. As the abscesses heal, they produce significant scarring of the skin.
The signs and symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa typically appear after puberty, usually in a person's teens or twenties, although they can begin earlier in puberty, particularly in affected females. Nodules are most likely to form in the armpits and groin. They may also develop around the anus, on the buttocks, or under the breasts. In some cases, nodules appear in other areas, such as the nape of the neck, waist, and inner thighs.
The recurrent nodules and abscesses cause chronic pain and can lead to self-consciousness, social isolation, and depression. Rarely, long-term (chronic) abscesses on the buttocks can develop into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
Inheritance patterns
The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: Autosomal dominant. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.
Related genes
Other names
Acne inversa
Apocrinitis
Hidradenitides, suppurative
Hidradenitis, suppurative
Suppurative hidradenitides
Suppurative hidradenitis
Related patient information and medicines
Patient information leaflet
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a long-term (chronic) skin condition that leads to painful and repeated lumps of pus (boils or abscesses). The exact cause is unknown. Treatments include antibiotic lotions or medicines, or an operation to remove the affected skin area. A newer treatm... What is hidradenitis suppurativa. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is.
Patient information leaflet
Lumps in the groin
They can vary from slightly sore pimples to very large abscesses. Rarely, skin infections are due to an underlying medical condition. Hidradenitis suppurativa is one example. This is a long-term (chronic) skin condition, leading to painful and repeated lumps of pus (boils or abscesses). Swollen lymph glands Lymph glands are small lumps all around.
Patient information leaflet
Boils, carbuncles and furunculosis
But they can be irritating and can also cause distress if they are in a prominent po... Larger boils usually need treatment. If you get lots of boils that keep coming or don't go away then you may need some tests to check if there is any underlying cause. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a long-term (chronic) skin condition, leading to painful and.
Patient information leaflet
Scrotal lumps, pain and swelling
...at may be caused by an injury) Hydroceles (see Hydrocele in Adults and Hydrocele in Children ) Inguinal hernia Epididymal cyst Spermatocele - a cyst which feels like an epididymal cyst but it is filled with sperm (semen) Varicocele Testicular cancer Uncommon causes of scrotal lumps, pain and swelling Other rare or less common causes include:.
Further reading and references
- Hidradenitis suppurativa; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Alikhan A, Lynch PJ, Eisen DB. Hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 Apr;60(4):539-61; quiz 562-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.11.911.
- Canoui-Poitrine F, Revuz JE, Wolkenstein P, Viallette C, Gabison G, Pouget F, Poli F, Faye O, Bastuji-Garin S. Clinical characteristics of a series of 302 French patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, with an analysis of factors associated with disease severity. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009 Jul;61(1):51-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2009.02.013. Epub 2009 Apr 29.
- Danby FW, Margesson LJ. Hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Clin. 2010 Oct;28(4):779-93. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2010.07.003.
- Melnik BC, Plewig G. Impaired Notch signalling: the unifying mechanism explaining the pathogenesis of hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa). Br J Dermatol. 2013 Apr;168(4):876-8. doi: 10.1111/bjd.12068. Epub 2013 Jan 31. No abstract available.
- Pink AE, Simpson MA, Desai N, Dafou D, Hills A, Mortimer P, Smith CH, Trembath RC, Barker JNW. Mutations in the gamma-secretase genes NCSTN, PSENEN, and PSEN1 underlie rare forms of hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa). J Invest Dermatol. 2012 Oct;132(10):2459-2461. doi: 10.1038/jid.2012.162. Epub 2012 May 24. No abstract available.
- Pink AE, Simpson MA, Desai N, Trembath RC, Barker JNW. gamma-Secretase mutations in hidradenitis suppurativa: new insights into disease pathogenesis. J Invest Dermatol. 2013 Mar;133(3):601-607. doi: 10.1038/jid.2012.372. Epub 2012 Oct 25.
- Revuz J. Hidradenitis suppurativa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009 Sep;23(9):985-98. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03356.x.
- Revuz JE, Canoui-Poitrine F, Wolkenstein P, Viallette C, Gabison G, Pouget F, Poli F, Faye O, Roujeau JC, Bonnelye G, Grob JJ, Bastuji-Garin S. Prevalence and factors associated with hidradenitis suppurativa: results from two case-control studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Oct;59(4):596-601. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.06.020.
- Rosi E, Fastame MT, Scandagli I, Di Cesare A, Ricceri F, Pimpinelli N, Prignano F. Insights into the Pathogenesis of HS and Therapeutical Approaches. Biomedicines. 2021 Sep 6;9(9):1168. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines9091168.
- Wang B, Yang W, Wen W, Sun J, Su B, Liu B, Ma D, Lv D, Wen Y, Qu T, Chen M, Sun M, Shen Y, Zhang X. Gamma-secretase gene mutations in familial acne inversa. Science. 2010 Nov 19;330(6007):1065. doi: 10.1126/science.1196284. Epub 2010 Oct 7.
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