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Conditions

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradentitis suppurativa in the armpit

With a name like Hidradenitis suppurativa, it’s perhaps not immediately obvious what kind of condition we’re going to tell you about. However, if you take a moment to look up “suppuration” in the dictionary, you’ll discover that it means “the formation or discharge of pus”, which should start to give you an idea. Hidradenitis is a chronic and stubborn skin disease centred on inflammation of the large specialised sweat glands (apocrine glands) that are found mainly in the armpits and groin area. These areas show a distinctive mixture of boil-like lumps, areas leaking pus, and scarring, which can be itchy, but usually painful, and the lumps hurt if they are pressed. Aside from the pain and unpleasantness of the condition, it can also be embarrassing and unsightly. There are possibly over 100,000 sufferers in the UK alone with this condition, which can be difficult to treat, although there are a number of treatments that can be tried including medications and surgery.

Comments

Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

I have been getting the big boils for a couple of years. I'm 14 and haven't told any one about them. I get them on my inner thighs and near my vagina. They get really sore and are filled wth pus.

Some advice:

Putting tcp or sudou cream on them helps a lot. You can buy these of the shelf I'd also recomend wearing usual underwear not thongs,hotpants,j-strings, or any other type of lace or small underwear. Hope this helps.

Ive has HS for approx 22 years, I'm now 40 and if anything its getting worse. I'm under a dermatologist and have been taking roaccatane for 5 months, although the genral condition of my skin has improved the boil type lumps are very bad and painful.
I do find it embaressing to wear a bikini,and I never lift my arms so no one can see the scaring and boils.
I keep hoping with age it will clear!

Wow, thought i was the only one! I'm glad its finally being recognised! The anibiotics that the doctor gave me didn't help at all (they gave me thrush, but didnt help the boils lol), Lucky for me my boyfriend is very understanding and calls them his 'badies', and understands if i say i've got a badie and don't fancy making love. It actually helps to have somebody know they are there and know how it makes you feel, and know it's out of your control. I found that I can avoid the boils by using cheap 89p Tesco spray deodrent every morning and after i've had a shower. And avoiding white bread. I still get them bad from time to time and I wish I could follow my own advice and NOT SQUEEZE THEM. If I do see one brewing- I whack some germoline on it, which doesn't prevent it completly but stops it getting so angry. Glad I'm not the only one who hates my friends for being able to where a bikini without short and a t-shirt!

hey, im 15 . this problem has been with me for about a year to a year and a half.i fort it was my deodrant i was using so i changed it n reduced them for a while.however,i now have them in my groin area which is so painful.After reading this i decided to go to the doctors once again! i have been over 3 times!they give me antibi's that do not work!i am goin back tomorrow morning and i am goin to print this page! maybe it will finaly help. i realy do not want to have surgry because i have a fear of hospitals(stupid i no)!its so painful they come right on my pant line,most times i just end up cryin with the pain.im not sure that people without h.s realy understand what its like,but my mums here to support me.it reasures me just knowing others understand .x

i think i have this, for over 7 years ive had the same boil/spots and they do really hurt and scar badly, i get them all over my bottom and groin area which is really embarrasing, my partner doesnt know about thm and our sex life is getting affected as i wont let him touch down there or even undress with the lights on. can someone please help!! xx

I have had boils for 20 years now around my groin and have terrible scars from them they get so big and painful to touch i cant wear trousers when i have one, i am married and my husband has never seen me down there as i am too embarrassed by the scaring i have seen a doctor in the past and tried the antibiotics but they didnt work for me please help ?

hi, im a 17 years old and i have been dealing with HS for 5 years now. It was passed down genetically from my aunt on my monthers side. Sadly this stops me from swimming which is my passion as i feel so insecure from the scarring. i get the growths around mi groin, under my breasts and under my armpits. like many others i was put on a years course of antibiotics but there was no change then i was reffered to the hospital were i was put on another course of antibiotics but were much stronger.BY this point i was emotionally and physically drained, it not only effects me but strains my mother aswel as she can see how much i'm hurt by this. I am still a virgin as i am too scared to begin an intimit relationship with someone due to my scars. I don't want to choose surgery but if there is no other alternative then what can i do ?

I'm 36 and have been suffering with these boils since I was 12 in my inner thighs. Frankly, I gave up a few years ago because no GP ever came up with a successful treatment. I am so glad I am not the only one and perhaps now something can be done. The scaring though is very bad and over the years I have lost all self confidence when it comes to sexual partners.

i think this is what i may have a get boils on my inner thigh a lot and there very painful sometimes when one occurs i can hardly walk my mum suffers from them also under her arm pits reading this has put my mind at rest now that i no what it is but what treatment would you recommend for them ? as i do a lot of excersie and have to put that off when one occurs

thank x

ive had this on my bum and inner thighs since i was about 8 or 9 and its really embaressing im now 15 and havnt been able to go the full way with girls and i am looking for a cure or medication of some sort i have also tried putting creams on it but it didnt work. i am too embaressed to go to the doctors about it and im wondering what medication i could ask the doctor for instead of letting thim check me out for a diagnosis
could you mail me back please




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