Hidradenitis SuppurativaIn the medical field, it comes with a host of names: acne conglobata, acne inverse, apocrinitis, apocrine acne, fox-den disease, Velpeau's disease, Verneuil's disease, among others.
Two of them are misnomers; these are apocrinitis and apocrine acne because the apocrine glands are never involved in the formation of this bodily disorder called hidradenitis suppurativa. This skin disease appears in places where the apocrine sweat and oil glands and hair follicles are and where skin rubs together, like in the armpits, between the buttocks, around the genital region, and under the breasts for women.
This is said to be caused, in turn, by the suppression of the substances that is secreted by these parts of the body.
This disease is often viewed as chronic, and normally, people who are suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome are prone to this. This usually comes in three stages namely solitary and multiple isolated abscess formation without scarring or sinus tracts; recurrent abscesses, single or multiple widely separated lesions, with sinus tract formations; and diffuse and broad involvement across a regional area with multiple interconnected sinus tracts or abscesses. In the last stage, inflammation reaches a point where the acne grows the size of golf balls or baseballs. Unfortunately, like Ganglions Cyst and a number of other physical conditions, medical experts have not yet come to a consensus as to the causes of this disease. Nevertheless, allegations of its controversial causes circulates through the medical world namely post-pubescent hormonal reactions, genetic predisposition, plugged apocrine gland or hair follicle, excessive sweating, bacterial infection, sometimes linked with other auto-immune conditions, androgen dysfunction, and genetic disorders that change cell structure. If untreated or undiscovered, it can become severe as to lead to the development of squamous cell carcinoma in the anus and in affected areas. To stop a misconception, please note that hidradenitis is never caused by poor hygiene.
Because of this unstudied state of the disease, medical claims of some drugs are far from effectiveness in totally defeating this rather mysterious ailment. However, this does not stop some experts to give advice that are proven helpful to some people.
Concerning lifestyle, changes in diet, warm compresses and baths, not shaving and wearing tight-fitting clothing are some very good suggestions, as these activities will induce drainage in the apocrine glands. Taking oral antibiotics, intralesional corticosteroid injections, anti-androgen therapy, sub-cutaneous injection or IV infusion of anti-inflammatory drugs like infliximab and etanercept, though these drugs are not recommended and approved by the Food and Drug administration, are the usual solutions done by some individuals. Just a quick note on the last two drugs, there is a heavy reason why these drugs are not approved. In any way, it is always safe to consult a physician on these matters. If these won't work, surgical procedures such as incision and drainage, wide local excision, laser surgery, and radiotherapy are suggested ways, depending on the skin disease's level of development.
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