Hidradenitis Suppurativa

[Sigi]

This is what I have

About 20 years ago I developed nasty boils under my arms (and sometimes my groin area) that at times would grow to the size of golf balls. They were EXTREMELY painful if they got this big and needed to be lanced. Usually I had to wait 3-4 days for the boil to drain.

10 years ago I was actually diagnosed with Hidradenitis Suppurativa but none of the 3 doctors could tell me anything besides "We don't know what causes it."

Anyway, I have been pretty free and clear of any of the nasty major episodes I was used to for about 2.5 years now. I am wondering if anyone here has it, has heard of it, or knows anything about it. I have googled this condition many times but I never really understand exactly why this happens to me.

The reason I am asking is because for no apparent reason I had a small flare up last week that kinda of scared me - for some reason the boil would not break and began to grow. I do notice that I must take a shower in the morning and at night everyday, or I am feeling the effects of minor outbreaks by midmorning. That being said, this episode had the potential of being very serious until I woke the next morning and it began to drain.

I know this is kind of a nasty question and may not seem appropriate for this forum, but I am curious because when I read what I google I can never really nail down anything that could possibly trigger these episodes.

More info

[Eagle5US]

Sorry you have had to deal with this Sigi...

Your questions mirror those of other patients as well as clinicians. I have treated a few folks with this condition and researched it at length.

There is a thought that there is a genetic predisposition to cyctic acne between family members (Mother to Daughter)
Without going into the associated secondary infections that can occur as a result of the condition itself...there is a general concensus on the stages of lesion development:

1. Keratinous plug within the apocrine duct
2. Dilatation of the duct and associated hair follicle
3. Severe inflammatory changes in the specific single apocrine gland
4. Bacterial growth within the dialted duct
5. The duct grows to point of rupture-spreading the infection and inflammation
6. #5 results in extension of the supperation and tissue destruction
7. Finally ulceration and fibrosis with associated sinus tract formation

I know this does'nt tell you the why (basically because noone really knows), but it may help you a little with the how.

Hope this helps...all my best.

Eagle