The Basics

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, autoinflammatory relapsing skin disease, which is also known as acne inversa or Verneuil’s disease. It is characterized by painful bumps and nodules located mostly in the armpits (axillae), groin, genitals, anal folds, buttocks, scalp, nape of neck and under the breasts.

A person may have boils in one or several of these locations. Females tend to have more armpit lesions, while males tend to have more anal and genital lesions.

In some cases, HS can be found in “atypical” areas such as the areola of the breast, around the navel, scalp, eyelids, cheekbones, in front of or behind the ears, behind the knees, and on the thighs. Any place on the body that contains terminal hair follicles could potentially develop HS lesions. When HS occurs in these atypical sites, it can look like other conditions and lead to the wrong diagnosis. It’s important to understand that HS is not the same as regular acne (acne vulgaris).

We’re So Glad You’re Here.

If you’ve been diagnosed with HS or know someone who has it, you know firsthand how devastating this condition is.

You know what it’s like to live with physical pain that limits your social life and your daily activities. Even sitting, walking, or reaching for things can hurt.

You may have lost your self-confidence or struggled to maintain intimate relationships. And it’s exhausting to have to be constantly vigilant about drainage, odors, and picking the right clothes to wear.

Most importantly, you probably feel alone, isolated and embarrassed – as if no one gets what you’re dealing with.

We hear you. At Help for HS, we are committed to understanding this debilitating condition and providing resources that really help.

Did you know that up to 4 out of every 100 people in the WORLD suffers from hidradenitis suppurativa? More people have HS than HIV/AIDS, yet people with HS aren’t getting the help and support they need.

That’s why we’re on a mission to provide high-quality information and tools for people who suffer from HS, and to put an end to the silence and ignorance that surrounds this condition.

Everyone is different, and there is no “one size fits all” approach to managing HS. And while there are still many unanswered questions about this condition, we believe that your body has an opportunity to heal when you remove the factors that are disturbing your health. These factors may include nutritional deficiencies, toxins, stress, unhealthy foods, infections and gut problems. We also believe that your body heals when you have the nutrients, rest and support that you need.

If you have HS, know that you are not alone. Traditional medical treatments for HS are limited, but there are so many things you can do on your own to improve your condition. Knowledge is power! If you’ve been newly diagnosed with HS (or think you may have it), the first step in getting better is to educate yourself so that you can make informed decisions about your health and the best ways to take care of yourself. We created this website to provide resources that we hope will help you along your journey.