Introduction

Francisco A Kerdel, BSc, MBBS

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also called acne inversa, is a chronic, debilitating skin disease characterized by painful, deep inflammatory lesions. These lesions, once believed to represent a disease of the sweat glands, now are thought to arise in the terminal hair follicles in the apocrine gland–bearing areas of the body. The regions typically affected are the intertriginous areas—the axillae, groin (genital, perigenital, anal, and perianal areas), infra- and intermammary skin, buttocks, and upper thighs, although other areas—such as the nape of the neck and scalp—can be involved.

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