Conditions
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
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.
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Hi i was told today that i have hidradenitis-suppurativa..could give me any adivce on this ..what could help? ... thanks
I am seeing the first signs of HS - so no pus or drainage needed. No pain either, just lumps that itch a bit and seem to come up and go down. I have read alot and it seems that n atural remedies help the most. Tumeric, black onion seeds, collodial silver, tea tree oil (among other things). I put 1/2 to 1 ts tumeric powder, a pinch of black pepper, 1tsp cocnut oil in a cup of hot water. I add some salt to make it palatable (it's not the yummiest). Lots of people swear by this. Some have even founf this is to put the condition into remission.
Hi,I've had HS for 13yrs,I've tried multiply antibiotics,they havnt worked.so now I use dermagran&also anasept wound cleanser,it seeems to help a little.and also I use a&d ointment.does anyone still shave under your arms?,if so what do you use
I have had this complaint in my armpits for 10 years, and on the 1st of December 2011 had an operation to remove the infected skin in my left armpit, was left with a nice long neat scar until 6 days after when it got infected and burst open, I am now at the doctors every day for dressing changes as I have a massive deep hole in my armpit (A lot worse than HS!!) Just wondered if anybody else had this happen to them as the consultant said was very common!! Feeling very fed up!! And if this happened to you what was treatment and what dressings were you using?
hey I have suffered with HS for 4years, it has only placed a problem in me for the last two years, was wondering has anybody had Infliximab for this condition and if so did it help? thanks
Having had very serious health problems since I was little, I know what it's like to be housebound and how abandoned you must feel. GPs don't seem to do house calls for anyone anymore, but they should be able to talk to you about things over the phone (I don't think they'll prescribe anything without seeing you, but they can advise) and you must *insist* that the district nurse comes so see you. She (or he, for that matter) can drain off the nasty stuff and dress the wounds. It sounds like you already know that anything you can do to keep the areas clean and dry will be helpful (eg wearing cotton clothes and losing weight, if necessary, to reduce the amount you sweat). In my 17 years' experience with HS, only one thing has offered me any real relief. It's Medihoney Antibacterial Gel. It's used in hospitals but you don't need a prescription for it, you can either buy it online or ask your chemist to order it in for you. It comes in a tiny tube but a little goes a long way. Just rub it on anything that hurts, after washing and drying. Honey is not only a powerful bactericide but also has the unique ability to draw fluid out from wounds (through osmosis), which is perfect for HS as most of it goes on under the skin. I had Stage 2 HS but after a year with Medihoney the sinuses (or 'pus tunnels' as I lovingly referred to them) healed and I now suffer only from very occasional flare-ups which are mild enough to call Stage 1. You can use the gel alongside prescription medication with no problems at all. The bigger problem you face is obviously the panic attacks. At least with HS you can see what you're up against! Please don't let the NHS give up on you. You have to fight to be heard. As well as the district nurse, you should also be under the care of a community psychiatric nurse, who can offer a sympathetic ear, help you with strategies to tackle the panic attacks and who will also be able to fight in your corner when it comes to dealing with the GP! If you can't get your GP to summon the nurses, change surgery (you don't need to go in personally, they can post you the form of your wife can collect it). The stress from having the attacks, and the additional stress of having no professional support, will be making your HS worse, I'm sure of that. And of course the stress of the HS and all that bathing will feed straight back into the panic attacks. Good luck with breaking that most viscous of cycles! xxx
hi everyone, i have suffered with this awful condition for nine years now, diagnosed for six years, my doctor has tried countless anti-biotics and also a soap substitute which the name i have forgot, thankfuly mine seem to be bad when i have my periods and rarely flare when i dont. last year i developed a pilonidal sinus and i was wandering if both come hand in hand? also is it worth having my apocrine glands removed as the doctor has mentioned that as one of my choices.
My situation, funnily enough is rather similar to yours! I've had this condition (although I've only recently found out the name for it) for a number of years and it affects my armpits and upper thighs. I've also been given loads of antibiotics and have had a dodgy soap as well (does red liquid ring a bell? It was pretty useless). I've seen many doctors, especially one who tried to insist that it was becuase I smoked (never have, neither does any1 in the house). I've also just been treated for a pilonidal sinus (operation early December, on my 2nd infection, yay!) so I think that it may well be linked. As for the operation, whilst my mum is all for it I've been told by a dermatoligist who I hold in high regard (he was the first to take it all seriously) that it doesn't mean that it won't reocurr. Also, if ur like me and have multiple scars, etc., I've been warned against it.
does Hidradenitis Suppurativa effect the face area ?
I have suffered with this condition for 5 years.now back and forth to a dermotologist and unfortunately the condition will never go hut can be helped. My main fear was it would spread to my face so i asked the doc and fortunately thwarting reply was what i wanted to hear "no it can't" it mainly appears inot sweaty areas i.e: groin under breasts and under armpits so no it shouldn't ever appear on your face. Hope this helps.
Apologies for spelling errors silly phone. Also meant to say i was put on lymacicline for all this time too and never really helped at all but the body wash helps keep the area clean so ask for some off the doctor...to help sooth the infected area you already suffer with i Was prescribed hibiscrub. Down to taking the lymacicline aswel i ended up in hospital with intracranial hypertension which is a rare side affect but i honestly don't think antibiotics help at all its just a horrid condition we have to suffer :(
can anyone tell me if they have ever suffered from this condition on there face ive had it in the normal places groin armpit etc but my biggest fear is gettin this somewhere where everyone can c it x
I've had this condition for 14 years and never had it on my face.
I am 52 and had surgery to remove both armpits and had skin grafts from leg to replace 30 years ago. Please do not be tempted to go down this road as for me it was only a temporary measure. 30 years on and I now now suffer as bad as ever only now it is my groin, vagina and also backside. Antibiotics do not work either so it is not even worth taking. Sorry cannot be of any help, I live with this condition in constant pain on a daily basis now and have done for years, so I think I no what I am taking about. Good luck to all who suffer
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