Hidradenitis suppurativa
Dr. Hightower said that too often, HS goes undiagnosed for a significant period of time, preventing patients from seeing a dermatologist for treatment. Hallmarks of HS include inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and scarring, he said. “It can be disfiguring, painful, embarrassing, and associated with significantly decreased quality of life. Early recognition in terms of making and solidifying the diagnosis is important so we can prevent further worsening of the disease.”
The goal of treatment include preventing scars and unnecessary emergency department visits, and stopping flares from worsening, Dr. Hightower said. For specifics, he pointed to clinical management guidelines released by the United States and Canadian hidradenitis suppurativa foundations in 2019.
Make sure to set individualized treatment goals and understand the impact of treatment on the patient’s interactions with family, school, and peers, he said. And keep in mind that “parent-defined goals may be different from patient-defined goals.”
Dr. Hightower reported no relevant disclosures. MedscapeLive and this news organization are owned by the same parent company