Things you should know about hidradenitis suppurativa

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from Association of People with Hidradenitis (ASINDHI) They bust the myths with a very clear statement: Hidradenitis suppurativa is more than just a pimple. “The outbreaks produce nodules that appear superficial but generate abscesses and fistulas, causing pain and skin irritation,” he explains. Antonio Martorellfounder and coordinator of the Spanish Working Group on Hidradenitis Suppurativa of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV).

When a fistula occurs, hardening of the skin can occur, eventually making it difficult to move. In which areas can they appear? It is served in Deep, inflamed and very painful lesions Which appear in areas of the body where apocrine glands are located:

• Armpits.
• English.
• Scalp.
• External genital organs.
• Buttocks.
• Perineum and perineum.
• Areas under the breast and inside the breast in the case of women.

To address the challenges and solutions in treating hidradenitis suppurativa, Spanish Society for Healthcare Quality (SECA) in collaboration with Novartis, and with the approval of AEDV, has published White paper on Hidradenitis suppurativa in Spain.

Self-care in hidradenitis

Those Lesions may ooze and give off a foul odor. However, it is the pus that bleeds It’s not contagious “But it’s sterile,” Martorell explains. Often, in order to hide the lesion on the skin or the stains that may occur on clothes, people with hidradenitis look for tricks to hide and cover it. This can cause a lot of aggravation if the lesion becomes blocked and drainage is obstructed. In these cases, the fistula can cause high fever or sepsis. Clearly, this scenario should be avoided at all costs.

In addition to early diagnosis – the delay in detection is about 8 years on average – and treatment that prevents inflammation and the appearance of abscesses and fistulas in the skin that lead to the appearance of these scars. That’s why self-care is important. This is why Martorell advises the following:

• Find a specialist to manage your disease.
• Cover the bleeding area with gauze Relieve the negative effect of suppuration and pain. “The lesion must drain and it is important not to close or compress it.”
• It does not hurt to use it in some cases Specific dressings with hydrocolloidswhich absorbs pus and prevents moisture.
• more washing frequency, Mostly in summer.
• Control pain if a flare-up occurs. Martorell warns of the importance of not overusing anti-inflammatories, which are used not only for pain but also for inflammation. This is why pain management must be done by a specialist.
• The pus does not go away on its own But it requires Treatment to stop chronic inflammation mAttend it.

The disease forms these abscesses and fistulas that damage the skin as they drain. “This skin does not regenerate in the usual way, but in the form of a scar and Treat as if The skin is hard. This grows extensively over time and eventually occupies an entire anatomical area, explains Martorell.

This is hard skin with a retractable scar He has no flexibility and loses the ability to move. In this way, for example, if it happens in the armpit, it makes the area immobile and the person has problems combing his hair or driving. “Sometimes so The scar can cause cuts when the area is moved. Tape, associated with nerve pain. This usually requires reconstructive surgeries.

Types of hidradenitis

There are two main forms of hidradenitis. Both produce a significant change in quality of life:

• Follicular form: Patients develop blackheads that develop into superficial pimple-like lesions and sometimes an abscess is created. the obesity Tobacco, or contact with the skin, among other factors, are factors that affect the appearance of these superficial nodules. It is estimated that it affects 65% of patients. It usually appears between the ages of 14 and 18 years. In this type there is a certain hereditary character.
• Inflammatory form: It is less common but also causes the most problems. Since its appearance, the person appears large lumps with secretions, oozing fistulas, and in a short time, hard plaques appear on the skin that make movement difficult. Appears above 18 years of age or below 12 years of age.

Associated diseases

And in the follicular form, Martorell explains, there’s more Associated comorbidities. “In women, polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, and… Diabetes As part of metabolic syndrome. In these cases, treatment aims to control these diseases.” It is also associated with inflammatory bowel disease, especially Crohn’s disease, arthritis, cardiovascular disease…

In the Inflammatory form The goal is to control inflammation This is why two are used Biological drugsIt is a chronic disease and it is expected that new medications will appear to treat it soon. Martorell adds that Technology will help It is increasingly important for the doctor and patient not to delay the most serious forms of the disease and avoid complications.