Warning: This article contains graphic images of real Hidradenitis Suppurative cases.*
Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a chronic skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Also known as HS, it is a skin condition that causes painful bumps wherever hair follicles are found. This often occurs in the chest and breast area, buttocks, armpits, and groin area.
HS can be a painful and embarrassing condition. Worse, it is also often misunderstood and misdiagnosed by healthcare professionals.
Unless you or someone you know has this condition, it can be hard to describe how awful it can be. This is where the power of pictures comes in. With images, patients and healthcare professionals alike can gain a better understanding of the severity and impact of HS.
The use of photos can help bridge the gap between patients and their healthcare providers. It can lead to more accurate diagnoses, better treatment options, and improved quality of life.
In this article, we will explore the power of pictures in understanding HS. So, let's dive in and discover the transformative power of images in the fight against HS. Together, we can help break down the misinformation and stigma surrounding this condition.
What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition. It specifically affects hair follicles and sweat glands. HS presents as painful, pus-filled lesions that can develop into abscesses, nodules, and tunnels under the skin.
HS can occur in any area of the body where hair follicles are present, though hair does not need to be present. It most commonly affects the armpits, groin, buttocks, thigh and breasts.
HS is a debilitating condition that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. The physical symptoms can be painful and uncomfortable. And the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, HS is often misdiagnosed. This often leads to delayed treatment and increased suffering for patients.
This is due in part to the lack of information surrounding the condition.
There is currently not enough evidence or extensive research indicating it is an autoimmune disorder. As such, it has not been officially identified or categorized as such.
What Causes HS?
It's still unknown entirely what causes HS. Though there are some similarities to acne, there are major differences. In acne, the pore explodes and the contaminants come out.
This is not the case with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. In fact, the opposite happens, which is why HS is also referred to as acne inversa.
With HS the pores don't explode. They remain intact, meaning the contaminants and pus have no way of getting excreted. This is known as follicular occlusion.
The body's immune system attempts to destroy these contaminants. This results in painful swelling and inflammation. The occluded pore turns into a painful lump that resembles a pimple or boil. This does not mean that HS is an infection or that our abscesses are infected. The reason for the follicular occlusion is still unknown.
Myths About Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurative is often misunderstood. One of the most common misconceptions is that HS is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). In fact, HS is not contagious at all, and can't be passed from person to person through any means.
HS does not discriminate against anyone. It can affect those regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, geographic location, or blood type.
Whether you're young or old, male or female, gay or straight, and no matter where you live or what your skin color is, HS can affect you.
It's crucial to dispel these myths and educate people about the true nature of cases of Hidradenitis Suppurativa. It's important that those living with this condition can receive the support and care they need. That's why actually seeing the impact this condition has on people with HS is so vital. Reading about the signs and symptoms does not do justice to seeing the scars and inflamed skin of HS lesions associated with severe cases.
The Importance of Visuals in Understanding Hidradenitis Suppurativa
The use of pictures can be a powerful tool in understanding and providing medical treatment for an inflammatory skin disease like HS. Visual aids can help patients, dermatologists and healthcare providers alike. They help better understand the severity and impact of the condition on a person's life.
Pictures can also help identify the different stages of HS. This provides important information for accurate diagnoses and treatment options. People with hidradenitis suppurativa may not even be aware of what their affliction is until they see it and recognize it in others.
Patients with HS often feel ashamed and embarrassed about their condition. The use of Hidradenitis Suppurativa pictures can help break down the stigma surrounding the condition.
Hopefully this will further open and honest conversations between patients and healthcare providers. Patients sharing images of their condition with their doctors can help to build trust and understanding.
This is fundamental to leading to better treatment outcomes.
Understanding the Stages of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Through Photos
HS is a chronic condition that progresses through different stages, which denote the severity of HS. The use of pictures can help patients and healthcare providers identify the stage of HS. Together, they can develop appropriate and effective treatment plans.
The first stage of HS is characterized by the presence of a single, painful nodule.
The second stage involves the formation of multiple nodules and abscesses as the HS progresses.
The third stage is the most severe and involves the formation of interconnected tunnels under the skin.
These tunnels beneath the skin gown and join together, causing what's known as sinus tract formation. These formations can leave severe scarring on large areas of the body.
The use of pictures can help healthcare providers identify the stage of HS and develop appropriate treatment plans.
Treatment of HS
While there are several types of treatment available for many other skin conditions, only one has been approved by the FDA for HS. As you can imagine, this puts HS patients in a very tough spot when it comes to options. Thankfully, there are many "off label" treatments that are commonly used to treat HS. This simply means that the FDA has not approved the use of these medications specifically for HS.
Available treatments include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and surgery. When it comes to topical therapies, mild steroid creams may be prescribed and are often combined with antibiotics to treat HS. These common corticosteroids include hydrocortisone and triamcinolone acetonide.
However, long-term use of topical steroids can have potential dangers. This includes thinning of the skin, stretch marks, and possible systemic absorption.
Topical steroids are also not the most effective or efficient. When it comes to providing relief from painful itching associated with HS, topical steroids can take a very long time.
Just as bad, the continued use of topical steroids can lead to topical steroid addiction. When you try to stop taking the corticosteroids, you can suffer from Topical Steroid Withdrawal, or TSW. With few fast and effective solutions available to provide relief, those with HS have been stuck between a painful rock and an itchy hard place.
Thankfully, medical science continues to advance. New, safer, and more effective treatments are becoming available, such as Dermeleve®.
Dermeleve®
Dermeleve® is a non-steroidal cream that works remarkably well at controlling itch and soothing skin. It also works incredibly fast. It starts working immediately, offering relief within minutes. This is far better to the weeks it can take to get relief with corticosteroids.
Not only is it fast acting, it's also long lasting. A single application works for hours, allowing for an entire night of uninterrupted sleep. Dermeleve® contains natural ingredients including shea butter and ceramides. It works by reducing inflammation and promoting healing; with none of the side effects of topical steroids.
Other alternative treatments for HS include photodynamic therapy. This involves the use of light to stimulate the immune system to attack the bacteria causing HS. Other treatments include biologic medications. These are formulated to target specific immune cells involved in the disease. It's important to talk to a doctor about the best treatment options for managing HS symptoms.
Surgery in Treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Surgery is often used to treat severe cases of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.
The surgery can range from simple drainage of the abscesses to complete removal of the affected areas. This includes skin that may contain inflammatory nodules or abscesses which can grow and join together. These form tunnels called sinus tracts. This often occurs on the skin in areas of your body in the groin and inner thigh region.
The goal of surgery is to help reduce and remove the infected tissue and prevent the reoccurrence of the condition.
Certain cases may require multiple surgeries or more invasive surgical procedures. This might result in scarring and longer recovery times. Post-surgery, patients require proper wound care to prevent infections and promote healing.
In some cases, surgery can be combined with other treatments like antibiotics and lifestyle changes. It is important to discuss all the available treatment options with your physician. Together you can both determine the best course of action for managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa.
Examples of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Pictures
HS photos can be graphic and may be difficult for some people to view. However, they can also be a powerful tool for raising awareness and breaking down the stigma surrounding the condition.
By sharing images of their condition, patients can help others understand what it's like to live with HS. They can also raise awareness about the need for better treatment options.
There are many examples of HS photos available online. Each can help patients and healthcare providers better understand the condition. These photos can be found on social media, medical sites, and patient advocacy groups like HS Connect.
The photos in this article are courtesy of the HS Connect Image Library.
HS Connect and Online Advocacy Groups
HS Connect is a well-known and respected Hidradenitis Suppurative online patient advocacy group. They provide specialized support and resources for people living with Hidradenitis Suppurative. The group offers a safe and supportive community.
As the name suggests, HS Connect allows patients to connect with others who understand what it's like to live with the condition.
Online advocacy groups like HS Connect can be an invaluable resource for patients. They provide an enormous wealth of information. They inform about treatment options and provide emotional support.
By connecting with others who have HS, patients can feel less alone and more empowered to manage their condition.
Wrap Up
Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The use of pictures can be a powerful tool in understanding the severity and impact of the condition on a person's life. Sharing images of their condition allows patients to help break down the stigma surrounding HS. Raising awareness about the need for better treatment options is vital work.
HS Connect and other advocacy groups do more than just connect patients with each other. They also combine the voices of the affected so that they are louder together than on their own. Hidradenitis suppurativa is often in the shadows of more well-known skin conditions such as eczema and shingles.
Yet the numbers of vocal sufferers and advocates is growing. The goal is for HS to become a bigger priority in academic research institutions and pharmaceutical companies. The HS community derservces more than a single FDA approved treatment.
Until then, Dermeleve® is happy to play even a small part by offering an alternative option for HS relief.
*Images courtesy of hsconnect.org