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Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease causing painful nodules, abscesses, and tunneling wounds in skin folds — armpits, groin, buttocks, and under the breasts. One of medicine's most underdiagnosed conditions: most patients wait 7–10 years for a correct diagnosis. Multiple new biologics are now FDA-approved.

📊 HS affects 1–4% of the population — up to 12 million Americans — but is one of medicine's most underdiagnosed chronic conditions. Average diagnostic delay is 7+ years.
hidradenitis suppurativa HS inversa acne boils armpits skin tunnels Humira HS
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👥 ~12 million in US · Patients in US
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🏥 Dermatology · Specialty
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💊 3 available · FDA-approved drugs

FDA-Approved Treatments

Current approved therapies — what they are, who makes them, and what to ask your doctor.

Bimzelx
bimekizumab · UCB
IL-17A/F Inhibitor (biologic)

Approved October 2023 for moderate-to-severe HS. Dual IL-17A/F inhibitor. ~48–54% achieving IHS4-55 response at week 16 — outperforming adalimumab in head-to-head data.

💰 ~$95,000/year list Subcutaneous injection ✓ Patient Assist
Cosentyx
secukinumab · Novartis
IL-17A Inhibitor (biologic)

Approved for moderate-to-severe HS (2023). Monthly dosing after loading. ~45% achieving IHS4-55 at 16 weeks.

💰 ~$85,000/year list Subcutaneous injection ✓ Patient Assist
Humira
adalimumab · AbbVie
TNF Inhibitor (biologic)

First FDA-approved biologic for HS (2015). ~50–60% achieve HiSCR at 12 weeks. Multiple biosimilars now available.

💰 Biosimilars now available at lower cost Subcutaneous injection ✓ Patient Assist

Community Feed

What patients and caregivers are saying about Hidradenitis Suppurativa

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📋 Newly Diagnosed Guide

Diagnosed with HS? Here's what the first year should look like.

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1. Find an HS-experienced dermatologist — this is critical

Look for a dermatologist who is a member of the HS Foundation (hs-foundation.org) or lists HS as a subspecialty. Academic centers with dedicated HS clinics provide the most comprehensive care.

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2. Don't settle for antibiotics alone for Stage 2/3

Ask specifically about adalimumab (Humira or biosimilar), Bimzelx, or Cosentyx. These are FDA-approved specifically for HS and have much stronger evidence than antibiotic monotherapy.

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3. Understand the role of surgery

Surgery is underused and often curative for localized Stage 2–3 HS. De-roofing tunnels eliminates affected follicular structures. Surgery + biologic maintenance is the gold standard for advanced disease.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Real questions from patients and caregivers — answered in plain English.

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Curated Recipes for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

13 recipes curated around Anti-Inflammatory eating — each cross-checked against our medication interaction database.

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Easy
10 min prep · 15 min cook · Serves 2

Herb-Baked Salmon with Roasted Asparagus

This one's a crowd-pleaser. Omega-3s, minimal sodium, done in 25 minutes.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Ginger and omega-3s work together to reduce systemic inflammation markers.
omega-3high-proteinlow-sodium
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Easy ⚠️ Med interaction note
5 min prep · 5 min cook · Serves 1

Turmeric Golden Milk (Warm Spice Drink)

Ancient remedy, modern validation. Warm, slightly spicy, genuinely calming.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Curcumin (the active compound in turmeric) has dozens of clinical trials supporting its anti-inflammatory effects. Black pepper is required for meaningful absorption.
anti-inflammatorywarm-drinkdairy-free-option
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Medium ⚠️ Med interaction note
10 min prep · 20 min cook · Serves 2

Wild Salmon & Quinoa Power Bowl

A legitimate anti-inflammatory meal that makes you feel like you're doing something right.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Omega-3s from wild salmon, curcumin from turmeric, and ginger together create a powerful anti-inflammatory meal.
omega-3complete-proteinanti-inflammatory
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Easy
10 min prep · 0 min cook · Serves 2

Walnut, Cherry & Arugula Salad

Tart, sweet, and full of things your joints will appreciate.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Cherries are one of the few foods shown in clinical trials to reduce uric acid (gout) and muscle soreness after exercise. Walnuts provide plant-based omega-3s.
anti-inflammatoryno-cookantioxidant
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Easy
5 min prep · 0 min cook · Serves 1

Ginger-Berry Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie

Two minutes, a blender, and your inflammation is about to meet its match.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Ginger, turmeric, and berries each independently shown to reduce inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP). Combined, they're a strong start to the day.
anti-inflammatoryquickno-cook
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Easy
15 min prep · 0 min cook · Serves 2

Chickpea Power Salad with Tahini Dressing

This is the salad that makes people stop saying they don't like salads.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Cumin, garlic, and lemon are mild anti-inflammatory ingredients. The overall dietary pattern is consistent with anti-inflammatory eating.
plant-basedno-cookhigh-fiber
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Easy
5 min prep · 0 min cook · Serves 1

Tart Cherry Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie Bowl

Tart cherries are one of the most studied anti-inflammatory foods on the planet. This bowl makes them delicious.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Tart cherries contain some of the highest concentrations of anthocyanins of any food. Clinical trials show they reduce markers of inflammation (CRP, IL-6) and can lower uric acid — relevant for gout, lupus, and autoimmune joint conditions.
anti-inflammatoryantioxidantno-cook
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Easy
10 min prep · 20 min cook · Serves 4

Mediterranean Baked Cod with Olives & Tomatoes

White fish, olives, capers, tomatoes. Mediterranean diet in a baking dish — done in 20 minutes.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa The Mediterranean dietary pattern is the most evidence-backed anti-inflammatory diet. Olive oil, tomatoes, and herbs together reduce multiple inflammatory markers. This dish is essentially the Mediterranean diet on a plate.
omega-3low-sodiumlow-phosphorus
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Easy ⚠️ Med interaction note
10 min prep · 20 min cook · Serves 4

Broccoli & Chickpea Turmeric Curry

Warming, filling, and packed with compounds your immune system will appreciate. Vegan, done in 30 minutes.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Broccoli contains sulforaphane — one of the most potent anti-inflammatory compounds in food, shown to activate the Nrf2 pathway. Combined with turmeric and ginger, this curry delivers multiple independent anti-inflammatory mechanisms in a single bowl.
anti-inflammatoryplant-basedhigh-fiber
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Easy
15 min prep · 40 min cook · Serves 6

Chicken & Wild Rice Anti-Inflammatory Soup

Comfort food with a purpose. Wild rice, ginger, turmeric, and a whole chicken. The soup your joints needed.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Wild rice has significantly higher antioxidant content than white or brown rice. Combined with turmeric, ginger, and the collagen from long-simmered chicken, this soup addresses inflammation through multiple channels — joint support, gut lining, and antioxidant intake.
anti-inflammatorygut-friendlyone-pot
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Easy ⚠️ Med interaction note
10 min prep · 0 min cook · Serves 2

Blueberry, Spinach & Almond Salad

Blue + green is basically the anti-inflammatory color palette. This salad earns that description.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Blueberries contain pterostilbene and anthocyanins — two of the most potent plant antioxidants known to reduce NF-κB inflammatory signaling. Spinach adds quercetin and kaempferol. Together, this salad is one of the most antioxidant-dense quick meals possible.
anti-inflammatoryantioxidantno-cook
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Easy
10 min prep · 35 min cook · Serves 4

Rosemary-Garlic Roasted Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts — juicy, flavorful, and ready in 35 minutes. The anti-inflammatory herbs carry this.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Rosemary contains rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid — potent antioxidants shown to inhibit inflammatory enzymes. Thyme provides thymol, another anti-inflammatory compound. Herbs are often underrated as anti-inflammatory ingredients.
anti-inflammatoryhigh-proteinkidney-safe
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Easy
15 min prep · 30 min cook · Serves 6

White Bean & Vegetable Minestrone

Italian grandma energy with a modern anti-inflammatory upgrade. This soup feeds six and gets better the next day.

Why it works for Hidradenitis Suppurativa White beans contain polyphenols that activate anti-inflammatory pathways. Combined with olive oil (oleocanthal), tomatoes (lycopene), and fresh basil (eugenol), this soup provides broad anti-inflammatory coverage across multiple mechanisms.
anti-inflammatoryhigh-fiberMediterranean
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Food & medication interactions: Some ingredients interact with common medications. Cards marked with a warning badge include notes — always consult your pharmacist or doctor about dietary changes while on medication.