Hi there! I wanted to comment because I actually did have a few experiences with Dr. Noah Scheinfeld in NYC. I have had HS for over half my life, and was looking particularly for an expert in the field. He absolutely is knowledgeable, however, I was completely turned off by his bedside manner. Maybe I am sensitive, but when I declined one of his treatment options, he literally said to me "Well, it is your body so do what you want." I guess a great way to describe him politely is "direct." He is big on offering Rifampin as a treatment option in conjunction with antibiotics. If you aren't familiar with Rifampin, it is normally used to treat tuberculosis. I declined this treatment option due to the major side effects that Rifampin can have. I had a serious cyst on my armpit and went to him a second time for advice and a cortisone shot. He was not very gentle, and used a lot of force and I was in so much pain afterwards. I immediately returned to my other dermatologist who, although not an expert in HS, has incredible bedside manner, and I never left there feeling worse about myself. But, again, I may just be sensitive, and you may have a different experience or be more open to his suggestions than I was. He has literally wrote studies on HS so he does at least have the knowledge. I hope this helps shed some light! Wish you the best!

Hi! I also wanted to comment on Dr. Scheinfeld in NYC. I developed HS somewhat later in life compared to most people I believe, during a pregnancy. I live in upstate NY near Albany and was correctly diagnosed by my primary care with HS. I had visited 4-5 local dermatologists and none of them were able to help me. While doing some researc, my primary care physician found Dr. Scheinfeld's name as an expert in the field. I had my first appointment with him last week (3 hour drive), and found him to be... "eccentric," I believe would be the word! He is a strange dude for sure, but very knowledgable and passionate about treating people with HS. After about 30 cortisone injections, antibiotics, and topicals, my sores are doing somewhat better this week. Debating going back to him next week. As he said "don't you want to be treated by an expert?!"

I don't have enough experience with him to recommend one way or the other, but honestly at this point he seems to be my best shot.

I have only good things to say about Dr. Scheinfeld and his office staff. It is clear that they care about their patients and work hard to make them as comfortable as possible.

I developed HS approx. 2 1/2 years ago and it quickly advanced to stage 3 in period of only a year and a half. The local doctors, even some specialists, had no real idea what they were dealing with. Approximately a year ago I started my search for someone that has dealt with more than a few cases of HS in their career. My search lead me to Dr. Scheinfeld in New York City. His office is a little over 2 hrs. from my home, but at that point I had become so immobile and in constant pain from the HS, I was willing to travel.

I fully understand my HS will never be cured, but my quality of life is 1000 times better than when I first met Dr. Scheinfeld. He has worked hard to manage my HS and the issues surrounding the disease. He has given more of his time and energy to helping me than all the other doctors I have previously seen. His approach is direct and with purpose, I have never once felt rushed or ignored at a visit, he gives you the time and expertise you can't find elsewhere. To me, that is all I want and expect from my doctor. My recommendation to you is not to wait to see Dr. Scheinfeld, I wish I had found him earlier in the process. I am convinced it could have been managed and kept from reaching Stage 3 so rapidly.

Hello everyone,
I am Diana, and I have had HS since I was 12. I have been to about 15 dermatologists in the Northern New Jersey area, none of whom have helped me. I have heard time and time again that there is nothing they can do for me. As a last resort, I looked online for a support group for people living with HS. This was the first time I heard of Dr. Scheinfeld. Although it is a 2 hour commute to his office, I was willing to give him a shot. Finally, a doctor who really took my condition seriously. He is so passionate about treating HS, and his knowledge about it is astounding. I have read his published articles, and was willing to trust whatever treatment he prescribed to me. The injections are painful no matter who I have gotten them from, so I expected that. I am currently taking Rifampin and Clindamycin and for the first time in 20 years, I do not have one active cyst on my body. My only regret is that I didn't find Dr. Scheinfeld years ago. Living with HS is emotionally and physically painful. The fact that Dr. Scheinfeld took the time to personally call me a few times in between office visits to answer my questions and check on my pain levels, really meant a lot to me. He may be eccentric, but he gets results. For the first time, I actually felt sympathy from a doctor for this condition, instead of confusion and dismissal because they didn't have any answers for me. I highly recommend Dr. Scheinfeld.

I hope I'm not too late with a reply. I am a 60 year old female who has been coping with HS since I was 16 years old. I have been to scads of Docs from The Mayo Clinic to local professionals who had not helped me with my condition.
My husband found a paper published by Dr. S. and we decided because he has seen so many patients with HS, he must be the specialist we've been searching for. We traveled from Colorado to NYC to see Dr. S. and I thank God we did.
First of all, his bedside manner (although a bit quirky) was straight forward and extremely kind. I found him to be smart, sharp and extremely knowledgeable in his field. He knows everything about HS. And yes, Rifampin is one of the possible drugs used with another antibiotic, but it's working for me. I am in my eighth week of treatment and I swear it's calming down and going away. He also has several topical creams and ointments that compliment the pills.
I am so sick of living with this awful condition that it was worth it for me to travel, take the damn pills and follow his advise. So far, so good. I am most grateful to Dr. S. and I will be returning to NYC sometime in the early fall to follow up. If I were you, or anyone with this horrible curse, I would recommend seeing the good Doctor.
Hope you read and decide what will be best for you.

I wish I could meet Dr Scheinfeld and ask him a few questions as he seems quite the authority as far as conventional derms are concerned. But I am in Germany, so it's not gonna happen! Dr Scheinfeld made a suggestion in one of his papers to rename HS into Autoimmune Inflammatory Follicular Disease or something to that extent. That definitely beats HS (which is totally misleading) or Acne Inversa. I probably misspelled it. Anyway in other words: he also thinks it's autoimmunity, even though he his preferred treatment is this antibiotic combo.

I went to him a few times... Every time I went he would give cortisone injections and would make the area of treatment "very angry". I was NOT IMPRESSED!! I finally chose to have surgery. I've had both arm pits removed with a Latissimus Flap. I was back to work in 4 weeks. I used Dr. Ernest S Chiu (NYU) Plastic Surgeon and he is OUTSTANDING!!! I had gone to approximately 20 plastic surgeons in the NYC/LI area and was impressed by Dr. Chiu. If you consider surgery for HS use Dr. Ernest Chiu. One of the BEST plastic surgeon in NYC!!!!!

@cachm: if in fact that doctor does change the name of HS I wouldn't go to him because many of us are getting disability for the name Hidradenitis Suppurativa and I fear anyone going to him after he changes the name, will not get the benefits deserving to them because Social Security wouldn't know what listing to put them under.
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/8.00-Skin-Adult.htm#8_06
Any doctor that messes with my monthly checks will not be my doctor.

Thanks for posting info on this specialist. I've read some of his publications now and there are things my Derm has never tried in combination. I'm supposed to start Remacade soon but I'm very interested in trying the Rifampin/Clindimycin combo.

Thanks again.