Hidradenitis Suppurativa Support Group

Hidradenitis suppurativa (hi-drad-uh-NIE-tis sup-yoo-ruh-TIE-vuh) is rare, long-term skin condition that features small, painful lumps under the skin. The disease manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, sometimes as large as baseballs, that are extremely painful to the touch and may persist for years with occasional to frequent periods of inflammation,...

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/ Hidradenitis Suppurativa Support Group

Diagnosed yesterday.

W00dy
W00dy

Hi everyone, I'm new to the group and to this disease. 


A couple weeks ago I noticed what I thought was a pimple growing under my right arm. As the days passed, the "pimple" grew in size but I was never able to find see a head. The pain was pretty bad cause it was right on the crease of where my arm met my side. Finally one morning I felt a wet spot on my bed and realized the thing had popped. A couple days later I realized it had left a decent sized hole where it had been. As it slowly healed I saw that my shirts were getting dirty with a white/yellow liquid and worried it was infected but the wound didn't look too bad and I didn't have a fever. Anyway, the wound healed eventually and it left a scar but I didn't think too much of it. That's when I noticed the other hole. A little hole opened up like 2 inches away from the original problem. I thought it was a clogged pore that had been stretched but to my dismay it was significantly bigger by the next day! I freaked out and made an appointment with a dermatologist. The hole got bigger and started oozing the same stuff like the other one. This thing is freaking deep too! The dermatologist told me I have to get it surgically removed. I'm going to get another opinion next week. How do you guys care for these holes and why the hell did it open up away from the original problem?!

W00dy
W00dy
Forgot to mention, I'm a 26 year old male
Emmy_Kay146
Emmy_Kay146
Wow. Yeah, HS does not discriminate. Im a 26 year pld female and jave been battling this since I was 12. I wish you absolute luck snd im sorry you have to go through such pain. Did your dermatologist hive you any remedies? Or suggestions to prevent flare ups?
W00dy
W00dy
Not really. She just freaked out and told me I have to cut it out. I'm going to get the 2nd opinion with a doctor that regularly deals with HS so I'm hopeful for some insight. Do you ever use Neosporin for open wounds to keep it clean?
Mrsbrown
Mrsbrown
You need some antibiotics cream and take a bath with antibiotics soap but he is right you do need surgery to remove it and it gonna get worst before it get better it can be under your arm butt between your butt your private part on your tigh on your chest hair neck get it under control while tou at stage 1
guybrown
guybrown
The disease tunnels sinus tracts and that is why you can have multiple wounds in the same area over a period of time. Unfortunately, most doctors freak out and don't know what it is. You do need to keep antibiotic ointment on it so you don't get a secondary infection. Taking zinc helped me with heal quicker. Also, you can get some duoderm dressings from a pharmacy or by ordering online. The best time I found to apply these was right after it drained. It will keep it clean and allow it to heal better not to mention keep your clothing from rubbing around on it. I'm sorry you are going through this. I literally have felt your pain.
pcar
pcar
Hi Woody- I'm sorry your going through this. Everyone's HS is a bit different. When I had holes under the armpit I used breast pads (like what breastfeeding moms use to keep leaky breasts from showing) under my armpits with antibiotic to keep from sticking. Or bandages but I had so many there was nowhere to attach a band aid. I would NOT get surgery and am surprised your derm recommended this many general doctors (PCP's) will but that is because they dont' understand the condition. Studies show if skin is removed the HS will simply grow around the grafted skin or elsewhere. Please get a second opinion or many even if you have to travel to a new derm- if you 're listening to anyone that says overactive sweat glands, or surgery is the option chances are high they are way behind the times by decades. I was on antibiotics (amoxicillin) for the anti inflammatory properties and if I developed a staph infection they increased the dose. I went into remission and have had only a few outbreaks while on 0 drugs for the past 7 years. Agree with guybrown poster above.
guybrown
guybrown
Agree completely pcar. It's crazy how so many doctors are behind on this! I was told that I had dermatitis because "HS only appears under the armpits." And I was told that by a DO. DEFINITELY get a second opinion if doctors think it's a hygiene or sweat gland issue. Although I try my best to avoid medication, I would take Humira before entertaining the idea of surgery.