Disfiguring Hidradenitis Suppurativa of the Face

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, disfiguring, and debilitating inflammatory skin condition accompanied by pain, malodorous discharge, scarring, and a scarce quality of life. Skin folds are the most frequently affected areas, while the face is rarely involved.

We herein report a case of a man in his 40s affected by a severe form of HS for 15 years. Physical examination showed massive, bridged scarring located on the cheeks, temporal area, chin, nuchae, and scalp.

Massive face scarring due to HS is an infrequent event and represents a further burden for patients affected by HS and a therapeutic challenge for clinicians due to the lack of codified guidelines. Novel therapies with lasers and combination therapies are emerging and may be beneficial for hypertrophic scarring in HS.