There are various potential hidradenitis suppurativa (H.S.)
Researchers still have a lot of questions about why H.S.
occurs in certain people, including how its root causes can help experts better understand hidradenitis suppurativa treatment options.
The exact hidradenitis suppurativa causes are unknown—but there are numerous risk factors.
Hidradenitis suppurativais a chronic condition that is characterized by painful lumps that form under the skin.
In severe cases, tunnels may develop under the skin, connecting the lesions to one another.
Heres what experts know about hidradenitis suppurativa causes so far.
Hidradenitis suppurativa causes|Is hidradenitis suppurativa genetic?|Hidradenitis suppurativa risk factors|Can you prevent hidradenitis suppurativa?
What do experts know about hidradenitis suppurativa causes?
This is why hidradenitis suppurativa is considered an inflammatory condition.
If improved hygiene fixed hidradenitis suppurativa, theredbeno hidradenitis suppurativa, says Dr. Sayed.
Is hidradenitis suppurativa genetic?
Genetic factors probably play some kind of role in hidradenitis suppurativa.
National Library of Medicine(NLM).
Theres almost certainly something genetic that predisposes patients, Dr. Sayed hypothesizes.
Researchers suspect that inflammation-causing nodules develop when these chemical signals are interrupted, according to the NLM.
What do experts know about other hidradenitis suppurativa risk factors?
(These have not been established as hidradenitis suppurativa causes.)
Theres some evidence that people with the condition who menstruate havehidradenitis suppurativa flare-ups around their menstrual cycle.
(The study doesnt clarify whether people took birth control, which can affect hormone levels.)
Your sex hormones increase during puberty, and that could explain why H.S.
cysts pop up after this time, according to theCleveland Clinic.
That said, many people with hidradenitis suppurativa can go years without an accurate diagnosis because their H.S.
cysts are mistaken for boils or infections.
in puberty will be diagnosed at that time.
By far, the majority of my patients are in their 20s and 30s, Dr. Sayed says.
Its not as easy as saying, People develop hidradenitis suppurativa because theyre overweight or because they smoke.
If someone develops rheumatoid arthritis, we dont blame them, right?
There are certain chronic conditions that are more likely to occur in people with hidradenitis suppurativa and vice versa.
Its something that were trying to figure out more about, Dr. Sayed says.
Newer research suggests Black and Hispanic people are disproportionately affected by hidradenitis suppurativa11.
Can you prevent hidradenitis suppurativa?
Dr. Sayed stresses that having hidradenitis suppurativa is not your fault.
People dont cause this condition themselves, he says.
Unfortunately, since the exact hidradenitis suppurativa causes are unknown, there is no way of preventing the condition.
flare-ups (periods when the disease is worse).