
People are never born with Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Most people develop HS between the age of puberty and 40 years. It is almost rare for HS to begin before puberty.
The exact cause of HS is unknown. A combination of genetics, hormonal, and environmental factors may play a role in causing HS.
What is HS?
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful lumps and pus formation in the areas with higher friction, such as:
- Under the arms
- In the groin
- Between the buttocks
- Between the thighs
- Under the breasts
- In the folds of the stomach
- On the nape of the neck
- Behind the ears
In its initial stages, HS appears as painful, recurrent pimples or cysts in the sensitive areas. It may be misdiagnosed as:
- Ingrown hairs
- Folliculitis
- Staph infection
- Cellulitis
- Sexually transmitted disease or STD
However, unlike these conditions, HS is incurable, and the lesions will:
- Often refill.
- Not be healed.
- Leave scars.
What are some of the common misconceptions about HS?
Some of the common misconceptions about hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are:
- It is contagious.
- It is acne.
- It is caused due to poor hygiene.
- It is an STD.
All the above claims are baseless and do not have any scientific evidence to support them. People with HS tend to live a regular life with some difficulties.
Who gets HS?
Scientists have identified some risk factors that may induce hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), including:
- Family history of HS
- Female gender
- Age between puberty and 40 years
- African American, Hispanics, or biracial
- People with psoriasis

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American Academy of Dermatology. Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Who Gets and Causes. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hidradenitis-suppurativa-causes
Hope for HS. Understanding Hidradenitis Suppurativa. https://hopeforhs.org/what-is-hs/
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