Update on hidradenitis suppurativa

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease that affects the apocrine gland-rich areas of the skin. The primary alteration is epithelial hyperplasia and follicular occlusion of the pilosebaceous unit, followed by cyst formation and follicular rupture. Both the innate and adaptive immune response elements participate in inflammation. As a result, painful, inflamed nodes, abscesses, fistulas, and scarring occur which has a detrimental effect on the quality of life. Besides antibiotic treatment, the only approved biological therapy is still adalimumab. This article provides an overview of the recent findings in diagnosis, severity assessment, pathomechanism, and novel treatments of HS.