Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentLifestyle ChangesCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Lifestyle Changes
Coping
Mosthidradenitis suppurativa(HS) nodules occur in the armpits, groin, buttocks, and breast areas. However, HS can appear on the face. HS on the face can be mistaken for several other conditions and sometimes co-occur with them.
The exact cause of HS is unknown, but several factors make it worse. While most HS treatments work on the entire body, there are also treatments specifically for hidradenitis suppurativa on the face.
In this article, you will learn the symptoms and causes of HS on the face, how HS is treated, lifestyle changes you can make to help your symptoms, products to avoid, and tips for coping with the disease.
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Facial Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptoms
Hidradenitis suppurativa on the face can accompany HS in more typical spots such as the armpits or groin or, in rare cases, it may be the only sign of HS.
If you already have HS, you may be more familiar with how an HS nodule or abscess appears. However, for those who have nodules only on their face, it is easy to mistake it for acne in its early stages.
HS can be confused with acne because the bumps and boils that form with HS often look like pimples. Though HS is also known as acne inversa, it is not the same as the more common acne,acne vulgaris. However, the two conditions can occur together.
Although acne and HS both involve inflammation and may appear similar, they are distinctly different in their genetics and risk factors.
1:53Click Play to Learn All About Hidradenitis Suppurativa
1:53
Click Play to Learn All About Hidradenitis Suppurativa
What to Expect
HS abscesses that appear on the face may look similar to HS abscesses that typically occur on the body. However, because they often look similar to acne when on the face, it is easy to misdiagnose them.
Common symptoms specific to the face include:
Other Conditions That Look Like HS on the Face
HS on the face can often be confused with other conditions. If your only HS symptoms appear on the face, it may take longer for a healthcare provider to rule out these other conditions.
Other conditions that appear on the face that can be mistaken for HS include:
Causes of HS on the Face
Although no one knows the exact cause of HS, there are some factors that make it more likely you’ll get it. These can include:
Treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa on the Face
Treatments for HS on the face are similar totreatments that are used on other areasof the body where HS develops. These treatments help slow progression of the disease, reduce inflammation, and prevent or reduce scarring.
Medicationsmay also be prescribed to reduce flares of the disease, prevent scarring, and calm the inflammation around HS nodules. These can include:
Chemical peels(applied to removed the top layers of the skin), such as resorcinol, have been beneficial in reducing pain, swelling, and size of HS nodules in those whose HS is in the early stages.
Surgical removal of hidradenitis suppurativa scarsmay become necessary if the scarring becomes infected, covers a large area, or creates tunnels under the skin. Surgery can also restore appearance.
Types of surgery can include:
Scar shrinking injectionssuch as with cortisone or collagen can soften and shrink scars, or promote new skin growth.
Some scar treatmentsshould notbe used while a person has active HS. Once a person is in long-term remission, they may consider dermabrasion, microdermabrasion,laser resurfacing, andmicroneedling.
Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies
Certain lifestyle changes and home remedies can help ease symptoms and slow progression of the disease.
Living With HS on the Face
Making changes to your lifestyle can help improve symptoms with HS on the face. Lifestyle changes that reduce symptoms include:
Products and Other Home Remedies That Might Help
There are also certain products that you can buy over the counter that may help ease symptoms as well.
These include:
Products to Avoid
Certain foods and other products can cause HS to flare or increase inflammation in already formed nodules. These include:
Coping With Hidradenitis Suppurativa on the Face
Living with hidradenitis suppurativa on the face is hard, especially during flare-ups. It is normal to feel embarrassed. Talking to your healthcare provider about treatment options and how to best keep HS from flaring can help give you a sense of control.
If you feel overwhelmed or alone, you might consider talking to a mental health professional or seeking out a support group full of other people living with HS.
Summary
Hidradenitis suppurativa often occurs near sweat glands and hair follicles but in some people, HS occurs on the face. HS on the face can also be mistaken for several other conditions that can occur at the same time.
There are a number of factors that make HS worse, although the exact cause is unknown. Treatments for HS on the face include medications and lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, avoiding products that can irritate the nodules.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHidradenitis suppurativa nodules should not be squeezed. Popping the bumps can put you at risk of infection.HS is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), nor an infectious disease.HS is a form of acne known as acne inversa. However, it is not like the acne that typically occurs with puberty and causes buildup in the oil glands. It is an inflammatory condition that affects the hair follicles.Soaps with benzoyl peroxide or other antibacterial compounds can help with HS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hidradenitis suppurativa nodules should not be squeezed. Popping the bumps can put you at risk of infection.
HS is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), nor an infectious disease.
HS is a form of acne known as acne inversa. However, it is not like the acne that typically occurs with puberty and causes buildup in the oil glands. It is an inflammatory condition that affects the hair follicles.
Soaps with benzoyl peroxide or other antibacterial compounds can help with HS.
22 Sources
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