Abstract
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, recurrent disease with the presence of inflammatory nodules, abscesses, fistulas, and scarring, most often in the areas of skin folds, where apocrine glands are located. It usually manifests after puberty and significantly affects the quality of life.
The prevalence of the disease varies worldwide but is around 1%. The exact etiopathogenesis is not known, the primary is dysregulation of hair follicle epithelial differentiation, which leads to its hyperkeratosis and occlusion with subsequent enlargement and rupture of the infundibulum, which causes a widespread inflammatory reaction in the surrounding tissue.
Obesity and smoking are among the most important risk factors and potential triggers of the disease. Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa have a higher risk of cardiovascular and inflammatory bowel disease, psychiatric and rheumatologic disorders, compared to healthy population.
Treatment depends on the stage of hidradenitis suppurativa and in many cases topical antiseptics and external antibiotic are used in combination with systemic antibiotics, corticosteroids, retinoids or biologic therapy. This is followed by surgical treatment.