Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptoms

A painful bump on your skin could be anything, maybe just a pimple. But if the bump gets inflamed and lasts days or even months, it might be a sign of something more serious, especially if it appears in an unusual location. It could be hidradenitis suppurativa, long lasting skin condition that affects the hair follicles.

Most people with HS don't report their symptoms at first, often because they don't realize it could be a more serious disease, or they're too embarrassed to bring it up to their doctor. HS symptoms typically show up in areas where the skin rubs together like armpits, groin, inner thighs, and under breasts. It may start out mild with just slight itching and discomfort in the area, similar to what you might experience with chafing. But often an acne like bump will appear in one area and fill with pus.

Over time, more bumps may appear and develop in other parts of the body. When these bumps break, they can leave a funky smell and cause scarring. Boils can also appear and grow deep into the skin.

When these heal, they can leave tunnels under the skin or form into hard lumps that grow and stick around for years. There is no cure for HS, but it can be treated. Since an early diagnosis is crucial to managing flare ups and keeping HS from getting worse, it's important to bring up any new symptoms you have right away.