If you are reading this, you might be worried that you have HS. You might have noticed some changes in your skin that are not normal for you.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa is the first step in the pathway to diagnosis. HS is often misdiagnosed and mistaken for similar conditions, such as folliculitis or acne. But there are several traits that make HS unique and distinguishable from other skin conditions. Ask yourself the following questions and if you answer yes to any of them, or experience any of the symptoms of HS, please see a dermatologist.
– Do you experience painful, tender lumps and bumps on or under the skin? Pay close attention to areas like the armpits, groin, buttocks, thighs, under the breasts, the genitals, neck, chest, arms, and legs.
– Do the lumps drain liquid like pus or blood?
– Do the lumps heal over but leave a scar or pits in your skin?
– Do the lumps last for weeks or even months before they go away?
– Do the lumps clear up and reoccur? Have you noticed a lump, or several lumps come and go in the same area of skin?
– Do you have blackheads in your skin, in particular in little clusters or blackheads with 2 heads, like a little tunnel in your skin with a blackhead in each end?
– Do your lumps appear symmetrically? Meaning, if you have one in your right groin, have another one appeared in the opposite side?
– Does anyone in your family experience similar lumps and bumps?
If you answer YES to any of these questions, you should speak to your doctor and explain your symptoms to them. It is helpful to keep a diary of your symptoms so you can be as descriptive as possible.