Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)

    What is HS,
    and who are HS Ireland?

    So what is hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)?

    Hidradenitis suppurativa (hi-drad-uh-NIE-tis sup-yoo-ruh-TIE-vuh) is a long-term condition that causes lumps and bumps to come and go on the skin. These lumps fill up with pus and/or blood, causing intense pain and discomfort. Temporary relief usually comes when the lumps leak their contents. Over time, these lumps can fill up again, leak their contents, and this cycle can repeat like this.

    The official working definition of HS is as follows:
    “Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, inflammatory, recurrent, debilitating skin disease of the hair follicle that usually presents after puberty with painful, deep-seated, inflamed lesions in the apocrine gland-bearing areas of the body, most commonly the axillae, inguinal and anogenital regions”.

    Dessau definition, 1st International Conference on Hdradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa, March 30-April 1, 2006, Dessau, Germany. [ Kurzen et al 2008 and/or Zouboulis et al, 2015]

    HS sometimes has different names across the globe, most commonly this includes Acne inversa.

    Some images of HS can be seen below

    HS Scars

    HS Scars

    Hurley Stage I

    Hurley Stage I

    Hurley Stage II

    Hurley Stage II

    Who are HS Ireland?

    HS Ireland is a patient-focused organisation formed to support those (and their friends and family!) in Ireland living with HS.

     

    Our Vision:

    A society with improved HS awareness, knowledge, supports, and treatments

     

    Our Mission:

    To empower people affected by HS to live life to their fullest potential through support, research, and representation.