ISSN: 2155-9554
Hiraku Shamir
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) also known as the acne inversa is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by deep nodules and lesions such as abscesses, fibrous scars. These lesions are most common in the interstitial and apocrine gland-rich areas. The most common are the axilla, groin, perianal, and perineum. Treatment depends on severity and may include topical and systemic antibiotics, hormone therapy, immune modulators, and surgery. Due to associated pain, tenderness, secretions, odours and scarring this condition can have psychosocial adverse effects. The pathological process of HS begins when a defective hair follicle occludes and ruptures, causing contents such as keratin and bacteria to spill into the surrounding dermis. A chemotactic inflammatory response by surrounding neutrophils and lymphocytes can lead to the formation of abscesses and subsequent destruction of sebaceous gland units and other adjacent structures. Other possible factors that contribute to the pathology include abnormal antibacterial peptides, abnormal apocrine gland secretion, abnormal invagination of the epidermis leading to duct formation and an inadequate number of sebaceous glands. Immunological abnormalities have also been observed.