Nonsurgical Treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis Suppurativa-- or HS-- is a long-lasting skin disease that causes painful, infected bumps under your skin. Though there's no cure, there are many non-surgical treatments that can ease your symptoms. Topical antibiotics can go directly on your skin. These drugs help heal sores close to the surface by stopping bacteria from growing.

For deeper infections, oral antibiotics work better. Oral retinoids are drugs made from vitamin A, like acitretin and isotretinoid. These drugs get rid of old skin cells, and rebuild the top layer of your skin. Steroids can be injected directly into your bumps to lessen pain and inflammation. Biologics, like infliximab, are drugs that curb your immune system by attaching to and shutting off some of your immune system molecules. For more information about non-surgical HS treatments, talk to your doctor.