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Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) - Management
(Acne Inversa / Verneuil Disease)
Definition & Overview
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory skin disorder characterised by abscess formation, sinus tracts, and scarring in hair-bearing, apocrine gland-bearing skin - primarily the axillae, inguinal folds, perineum, submammary regions, and buttocks.
- Prevalence: ~0.1% in the United States
- Disproportionately affects women, African Americans, and those aged 18-29 years
- Not seen before puberty; rarely presents after the 4th decade
- Anogenital disease is more common in men
- Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 289; Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery 28th Ed., p. 1463
Pathogenesis
The primary site of inflammation is the terminal hair follicle, not the apocrine gland itself:
- Terminal follicle hyperkeratosis leads to follicular occlusion
- Rupture of follicular epithelium releases keratin, sebum, bacteria, and hairs into the dermis
- Inflammatory cascade results in abscess formation
- Gland rupture leads to bacterial proliferation and spread into subcutaneous soft tissue
- Secondary infection causes sinus tract formation, bridged scarring, and multiple communicating subcutaneous sinuses
Key genetic associations (Dermatology 5e):
| Gene | Protein Product | Role in HS |
|---|
| NCSTN | Nicastrin (γ-secretase complex) | Follicular keratinocyte differentiation |
| PSENEN | Presenilin enhancer-2 | γ-secretase complex function |
| PSEN1 | Presenilin 1 | γ-secretase complex function |
| TNF | Tumor necrosis factor | Promotion of inflammation |
| IL12Rβ1 | IL-12 and IL-23 receptor subunit | T-cell subset differentiation |
Microbiome studies show decreased Cutibacterium and increased mixed anaerobic bacteria (Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Peptoniphilus spp.) in lesional skin, with bacterial diversity positively correlating with severity.
- Dermatology 2-Volume Set 5e, p. 766; Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 289
Hurley Staging System
| Stage | Description |
|---|
| I | Single or multiple abscesses without sinus tracts or scarring |
| II | Recurrent abscesses with sinus tract formation and scarring; single or multiple widely separated lesions |
| III | Diffuse or near-diffuse involvement, or multiple interconnected sinus tracts and abscesses across an entire area |
- Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, Vol. 1&2, p. 1518; Dermatology 5e
Treatment Algorithm (Fitzpatrick's / European Guidelines)
Figure: Proposed algorithm for management of HS based on disease severity (Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, p. 1518 - based on European HS guidelines)
General / Adjuvant Measures (All Stages)
These apply at every stage of disease:
- Daily cleansing with chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibiclens) or benzoyl peroxide wash
- Weight loss (obesity is a common association)
- Smoking cessation (strong trigger)
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce friction
- Heat avoidance
- Topical aluminum chloride or botulinum toxin A injections to reduce sweating
- Laser hair removal in unaffected sites as preventive therapy
- Identify and treat comorbidities (metabolic syndrome, PCOS, inflammatory bowel disease)
- Pain management is a key adjuvant concern
- Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 290; Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, p. 1518
Medical Management
Hurley Stage I (Mild Disease)
First Line:
- Topical clindamycin 1% lotion BID x 12 weeks - RCT-proven reduction of pustules, inflammatory nodules, and abscesses
- Oral tetracyclines (tetracycline 500 mg PO BID x 4 months) - used for their anti-inflammatory effect in any stage
- Intralesional corticosteroid injection - especially for early lesions, may be combined with topical clindamycin or oral doxycycline/minocycline
Alternatives to topical clindamycin:
- Topical metronidazole 0.75%
- Topical erythromycin 2%
- Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, p. 1519; Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 290
Hurley Stage II (Moderate Disease)
First Line (if topical therapy fails):
- Clindamycin 300 mg PO BID + Rifampicin 600 mg PO daily x 10 weeks - extensively studied, quite effective
Triple antibiotic therapy (for resistant/severe stage II):
- Rifampicin 10 mg/kg/day + Moxifloxacin 400 mg/day + Metronidazole 500 mg TID
Note: Antibiotics should be selected based on culture sensitivities, for as short a duration as practical to limit resistance. Cultures often reveal S. aureus (early disease) or gram-negative organisms (chronic disease after long-term antibiotics).
- Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, p. 1519; Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 290
Hurley Stage III / Biologic-Refractory Disease
Biologic Therapy:
| Agent | Mechanism | Dosing |
|---|
| Adalimumab (FDA-approved) | Anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody | 160 mg SC at week 0, 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg weekly |
| Infliximab | Chimeric anti-TNF-α | 5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, 6, then every 8 weeks |
| Secukinumab | Anti-IL-17A | Per protocol |
| Anakinra | IL-1 receptor antagonist | Case reports of efficacy |
| Ustekinumab | Anti-IL-12/23 | Case reports |
Adalimumab is the only FDA-approved biologic for HS, supported by two large prospective randomised trials (PIONEER I & II).
- Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 290; Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, p. 1519
Second-Line / Adjuvant Medical Options
Hormonal Therapy:
- Spironolactone 100-150 mg daily - for women (anti-androgen effect)
- Finasteride 5 mg daily - for men or postmenopausal women
- Oral contraceptives (OCs) - helpful in women as adjuvants
- Metformin 500-1500 mg daily - particularly for women with HS and PCOS/metabolic syndrome; improved clinical severity in 72% of patients in a small prospective study
Retinoids:
- Isotretinoin: largely ineffective (only 16% response rate); still commonly prescribed - most useful in young women with mild-to-moderate disease
- Acitretin (0.25-0.88 mg/kg for 9-12 months): better evidence than isotretinoin
- Alitretinoin 10 mg daily x 24 weeks: 50% reduction in Sartorius score in 6/14 patients
Dapsone: 50-200 mg daily for 4-12 weeks; weak-to-moderate evidence for refractory HS
Cyclosporine: may be effective in select cases
Oral prednisone: limited role - only for short-duration bridging during acute flares
Zinc gluconate: anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; studied in 22 patients with therapy-resistant mild-to-moderate HS - 8 complete remissions, 14 partial remissions
Severe refractory flares: IV ertapenem (inpatient) can calm acute disease to allow effective outpatient oral management
Note: Incision and drainage is strongly discouraged as it does not address the underlying pathology and promotes recurrence.
- Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, p. 1519-1520; Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 290
Surgical Management
Surgical intervention is a cornerstone of HS management, particularly for chronic fibrotic disease where inflammation has been controlled medically.
| Procedure | Indication | Recurrence Rate |
|---|
| Deroofing of sinus tracts | Hurley I-II; single tracts | ~27% |
| Local excision | Hurley I-II; limited disease | ~22% |
| Wide local excision | Hurley II-III; moderate-severe | ~13% overall |
| - Wide excision + graft closure | Severe with larger defects | ~6% |
| - Wide excision + flap closure | Severe with larger defects | ~8% |
| - Wide excision + primary closure | Standard closure | ~15% |
Key surgical principles:
- Intraoperative color marking of sinus tracts improves completeness of excision
-
90% patient satisfaction after surgery
- Open areas may be left to heal by secondary intention or closed primarily
- Wide excision in the axillary and perianal areas has low recurrence; inguinal and submammary sites more often recur (excision of submammary HS is uncommonly recommended)
- CO2 laser may destroy lesions and sinus tracts as an alternative to cold-knife excision
- Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 290; Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, p. 1519-1520
Laser & Photodynamic Therapy
| Modality | Evidence |
|---|
| Nd:YAG laser | Prospective RCT (n=22): significant improvement after 3 monthly sessions |
| Photodynamic therapy (MAL or 5-ALA + blue/red light) | Mixed anecdotal reports; costly, painful, no remission - further studies required |
| CO2 laser | Useful to destroy lesions and sinus tracts |
| Laser hair removal | Preventive in unaffected sites |
- Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 290; Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, p. 1520
Complications to Monitor
| Complication | Notes |
|---|
| Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) | After average 19 years of active disease; manifests as ulceration/thickening in skin crease |
| Spondyloarthropathy | Rare |
| Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) | Rapidly expanding, painful ulcer with undermined edges; median 19 years after HS onset |
| Urethral/vesical/rectal fistulas | Rare |
| Secondary amyloidosis | Rare |
| Lymphedema | Of penis and groin in long-standing/surgically-treated disease |
| Anemia and hypoproteinemia | Chronic disease |
| PASH syndrome | HS + acne conglobata + pyoderma gangrenosum |
- Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, p. 290
Differential Diagnosis
- Furunculosis (early stages)
- Crohn's disease (especially perianal)
- Cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano
- Pilonidal sinus
- Tuberculosis
- Actinomycosis
- Lymphogranuloma venereum
- Granuloma inguinale
- Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery 28th Ed., p. 1463
Summary: Stage-Based Treatment Ladder
STAGE I (Mild)
├── General measures (always)
├── Topical clindamycin 1% BID x 12 weeks
├── Oral tetracycline 500 mg BID x 4 months
├── Intralesional steroids for early lesions
└── Surgical: Local excision / deroofing
STAGE II (Moderate)
├── Clindamycin 300 mg + Rifampicin 600 mg PO daily x 10 weeks
├── Triple therapy (Rifampicin + Moxifloxacin + Metronidazole)
├── Hormonal therapy (spironolactone/finasteride)
├── Metformin (if PCOS/metabolic syndrome)
├── Adalimumab (if antibiotic-refractory)
└── Surgical: Deroofing, wide local excision
STAGE III (Severe)
├── Adalimumab 40 mg SC weekly (FDA-approved)
├── Infliximab 5 mg/kg at 0, 2, 6 weeks then q8 weeks
├── Other biologics (infliximab, secukinumab, ustekinumab)
├── IV ertapenem (bridging for severe flares)
└── Surgical: Wide excision with graft/flap closure
Recent Evidence Updates (2024-2026)
The following recent guidelines are relevant:
- Australasian HS management guidelines (2025) - PMID 39578415, Practice Guideline + Systematic Review
- North American clinical practice guidelines for special populations (2025) - PMID 39725212 - addresses pediatric, pregnant, and immunocompromised patients
- Italian Delphi consensus: Surgery + biologics integration (2024) - PMID 39004081
- A 2026 systematic review and network meta-analysis on biologics confirmed short-term efficacy of biologics in moderate-to-severe HS (PMID 41457056)
Sources:
- Andrews' Diseases of the Skin - Clinical Dermatology, pp. 289-290
- Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, Vol. 1&2, pp. 1518-1520 (European/North American guidelines-based algorithm)
- Dermatology 2-Volume Set 5e (Hurley staging, pathogenesis, genetics)
- Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery 28th Ed., pp. 1463 (surgical perspective)
- Sabiston Textbook of Surgery (perianal HS, Hurley-based treatment table)