A Patient-Centered Guide to Hidradenitis Suppurativa Flare Prevention

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic debilitating skin disease characterized by painful dermal abscesses, subcutaneous inflammatory nodules, draining sinuses and hypertrophic scars. Prompt recognition and management of the disease is of the utmost importance as prolonged disease can have long-standing physical and psychological consequences. Quality of life and symptom improvement are viable outcomes from preventative interventions in patients with HS. While there is not a cure for HS, symptoms can be managed, and recurrence can be reduced following various lifestyle changes. Treatment should be focused on prevention of disease progression, reducing the frequency of recurrence, and treating existing lesions to minimize pain and drainage. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(12):1295-1300. doi:10.36849/JDD.5838.