Hidradenitis Suppurativa & Follicular Disorders

What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic disorder of hair follicles that typically affects areas such as the underarms, groin, buttocks, and breasts. The disease can range in severity from occasional abscesses to widespread scarring, formation of tunneling sinus tracts, pain, and drainage. There is not a specific known cause for HS, and it often is not diagnosed for a long time after it starts because most patients and many physicians are not familiar with it. Management of HS is often complex and benefits from multiple approaches to treatment depending on the severity of the diseases.

How is Hidradenitis Suppurativa treated?

In the HS and Follicular Disorders Clinic at UNC, a comprehensive approach is taken including medical management, traditional surgical approaches, and laser treatment. The clinic manages all stages of the disease and partners with other departments including plastic surgery, reconstructive urology, pain medicine, and mental health specialists. Other similar conditions of the hair follicle such as acne keloidalis nuchae, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are an additional focus of this clinic.

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases are at higher risk of HS and other inflammatory skin conditions so our clinic also focuses on patients with skin complications of inflammatory bowel disease such as pyoderma gangrenosum and cutaneous Crohn’s disease.

HS Surgery:

Providers in our clinic may offer a “deroofing” procedure as a surgery option in clinic. To learn more about this procedure, please view this video. This video provides an overview of what to expect before, during, and after the procedure, so that you can prepare and learn more before it is planned. Each procedure is a bit different, so the situation may vary based on the size and location, but this should provide a general overview. You can discuss plans with your individual provider if questions arise.

CONTENT WARNING: there are surgical and wound images in this presentation.

Clinical Trials Opportunities:

The HS clinic at UNC Dermatology frequently provides opportunities to participate in clinical trials of new treatments for patients with HS. If you are interested in participating or receiving more information, you can contact the clinical trials unit at 984-974-3682 and find more information at their website here.

Your Physicians: