i've had this for about 34 or 35 years, was misdiagnoised for 32 years. 2 years ago dec when i found out that it was hs was when the pain and dischargeing really started, bad. i would go for 5 6 years with no flair ups, but now i've got 7 open boils/cysts draining. thats not counting the ones undr the skin and meat. only good thing about this is i don't have the smell. i did once. went to the er to have a huge one lanced, and pretty much cleared out the room. they got about half a cup of crap out of it.only place i have hs, is groin both sides, both cheeks of my butt, and in my gonad sack. i'm 72, and hope they will come up with some kind of solution to clear this crap up. good luck to you..

Its different for everyone. Both my buttocks inner thighs and groin area have been effected now both armits are active...most skin is scars now and just dealing with drainage from tracts....i've read that in some people is goes into remission in middle age like 35-40. I choose to be optimistic.

It is different for everyone. Some people never get any worse, and some people have been in remission for years. It really depends on your body and what treatments work for you or not.

I'm 30. I've had HS for about 15 or more years now. Mine was getting worse for a while but it's been a lot better since using Hibiclens. More under control anyway. I've gone whole months without a serious outbreak sometimes now, when I used to get them constantly.

Mine goes through ups and downs. I went all of 2011 with no flares. Then it came back with a vengeance! I still have not figured out exactly what triggers them. Hormones are a factor for sure this time as I just had a baby and breast feeding seemed to keep it active.
My husband and I bought and remodeled a house several years ago and I had a nasty flare toward the end of that " stress" I'm guessing!
Once when I changed birth control it went bonkers too.
I wish there was more info out there to help us better. Honestly this board is the best! It's so nice to have people to talk to who have had the same feelings and thoughts as you .... Keep your chin up, I have faith the cure/cause of this is on the horizon

hard to say, I've had it for about 17yrs, but it started under my jaw line and tunnel through my face from age from age 15-20, and then once that was almost all scar tissue I had only a few flare ups on my thighs from age 21-25. then for the last 6 yrs I've been getting them beside my "who-ha" and behind my ear...all and all, the actually size, severity, and having to go to the ER has gotten worse after (coincidentally) about 10yrs, BUT, ability to deal with it got much easier after it stopped flaring on my face because at least I can conceal it better now. It's seems to relocate and take over a new area on me every 5yrs or so, I've never had any under my arms, so maybe thats what I have to look forward to in my 40's...lol.

I first got them when I was 15, after having a large ovarian cyst removed. I was put on birth control for a few months to help keep things on track. Then bam, a monster at a time. The doc would say it was from shaving. I'd get one a few times a year until I was about 25. Then it was my face once, nasty thing every. I know the ER hated me. Then my back. And I was overseas in the military. The doctor was amazed and asked me if it was okay to take pictures. I said yes, now I wish I would have copies of that. Then once I got home, and shortly after Katrina...it was getting worse. It took many doctors before I found the right one. Now I'm on birth control and I find it much better. Not as often and not as painful. The last one I noticed the tunnel. Had small leakage from one bump and pressed on the other one, had it was nasty. I get could see where she lanced before on it. Looking on the internet, I know I don't have it as bad as some. But should one try a procedure to clear the tunnel or remove the area, or do you just wait until it gets worse. I've gotten them on my breast as well and my butt. I haven't gotten them on my armpits yet. But I'd say that 10 year thing is about right.