Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCOVID-19 RiskComplicationsTreatmentsFrequently Asked QuestionsHow to Stay Safe
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
COVID-19 Risk
Complications
Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Stay Safe
Hidradenitis suppurativa(HS) is a chronic, painful skin condition that causes abscesses, cysts, and scarring on the skin. The lesions usually occur near hair follicles where there are sweat glands, such as in the groin, bottom, breasts, or armpits.
You may be concerned about whether having HS puts you at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 or developing more severe symptoms. Research regarding HS, COVID-19, and related medications is ongoing as scientists continuously learn more about the disease.
People with HS often have other conditions known to negatively affect COVID-19 outcomes, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.
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This article will discuss the current evidence for how HS affects your COVID-19 risk, complications, effects of HS treatment, and how to stay safe.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa and COVID-19 Risk
HS alone is not considered a significant risk factor for getting sick with or having a more severe case of COVID-19. It is an autoinflammatory disease (which means your immune system is overactive) rather than anautoimmune disease.
HS is not considered a specific risk factor for COVID-19. But people with HS and other specificcomorbidities(conditions they have at the same time) may be more at risk.HS is associated withdiabetesandobesity, both of which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.
HS is more prevalent among ethnic minorities. With reduced healthcare resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and data demonstrating racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 transmission, management, and outcomes, there may be a significant difference in the level of care received. This could lead to poorer outcomes.
Scientists are still learning about COVID-19 and its interaction with other conditions and medication. Therefore, to capture data on risks, clinical course, and outcomes of COVID‐19 in HS patients, a new global HS COVID‐19 Registry has been developed.
Complications of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and COVID-19
Although HS is not considered a risk factor for developing severe COVID-19, the overlapping comorbidities of HS do pose a greater risk.
Obesity, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and smoking history are all comorbidities that are risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 infection.
Therefore, experts advise people with HS to exercise caution during the pandemic, follow guidelines from the CDC, and discuss an HS action plan with their healthcare professional.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatments and COVID-19
Some people with HS take treatments that affect the immune system, such as Humira (adalimumab) or Cosentyx (secukinumab), both biologic therapies. Steroid medication or injections can also suppress the immune system. The HS Foundation advises that thebiologic medicinesused to treat HS suppress the immune system but don’t stop it from working.
There is currently no concern about people with HS on biological therapy having the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the HS Foundation recommends that you always speak to your HS specialist team before making any medication changes or having the COVID-19 vaccine.
While the vaccine is considered safe, clinicians advise that they still do not know whether being on an immunosuppressant or biologic treatment will reduce its effectiveness. Some early clinical trials suggest that being on an immunosuppressant medication impairs vaccine-induced immunity.
A small 2021 study showed that patients on immunosuppressive therapy still developed immunity after the COVID-19 vaccine and had no considerable side effects.With trials and data collection still in the early stages, research is ongoing in this area.
If you take immunosuppressants, systemic, or biologic medication for your HS, speak to your healthcare professional about how it might affect your COVID-19 risk and vaccine response.
Should I stop taking my biological medication if I want to have the COVID-19 vaccine?
You should never stop any medication without the advice and guidance of your medical team. Stopping your medication without advice can put you at risk of HS flares and worsening symptoms.
My HS medical team offered me a video consultation rather than a face-to-face appointment. Is it worth attending?
Yes. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in telecare rather than face-to-face appointments. In many cases, your HS team can still examine specific problems, check suspicious areas on the skin, manage your ongoing HS treatment, and prescribe new medication required.
To help manage your HS through the COVID-19 pandemic, you can speak to your healthcare professionals to develop an HS action plan. This will mean you have a plan in place explaining when your HS team is available, how to contact them, and what to do if you have an HS exacerbation.
How Hidradenitis Suppurativa Is Treated
What can I do at home to help manage my HS?
Try to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. If you smoke, try to stop, and if you are overweight, then make some changes to try and lose weight. Also, ensure you look after your mental health as well as your physical health.
If you are worried that your HS requires medical attention, do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare professional.
There are lifestyle changes and public health guidance that will help in managing both HS and the risk of contracting COVID-19:
Summary
Having hidradenitis suppurativa does not place you at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 or having a more severe course, but you may have other conditions that are of concern. There are still questions about whether biologic medications and corticosteroids can reduce the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed. As new research becomes available, we’ll update this article. For the latest on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Organization for Rare Diseases.Hidradenitis suppurativa.
Lima X, Cueva M, Alora M.COVID‐19 in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.British Journal of Dermatology. 2020;184(1):182-184. doi:10.1111/bjd.19492
The Hidradenitis Foundation.COVID-19 vaccines: Information for people with HS & their caregivers.
Naik H, Alhusayen R, Frew J et al.Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa COVID‐19 Registry: a registry to inform data‐driven management practices.British Journal of Dermatology. 2020;183(4):780-781. doi:10.1111/bjd.19345
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19. People with certain medical conditions.
Seltzer J, Okeke C, Perry J, Shipman W, Okoye G, Byrd A.Exploring the risk of severe COVID-19 infection in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83(2):e153-e154. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.05.012
Deepak P, Kim W, Paley M et al.Glucocorticoids and B cell depleting agents substantially impair immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines to SARS-CoV-2.2021 Apr 9:2021.04.05.21254656. doi:10.1101/2021.04.05.21254656
Geisen U, Berner D, Tran F et al.Immunogenicity and safety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions and immunosuppressive therapy in a monocentric cohort.Ann Rheum Dis. 2021:annrheumdis-2021-220272. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220272
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