HS SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     As of yet there have been no set standards of signs and symptoms for HS except for the painful lumps that we get.  But there is more that goes along with this disease than that.  Below  are some of the Signs and Symptoms.

If you believe you have a sign and symptom for HS that has not been listed please e-mail me.  I will be glad to research it, and then add it here.

Lesions - Nodules can be tiny or can be as big as a baseball or sometimes bigger.  Most of the time Lesions appear purple in color, or red in color.

More than three boils or nodules in a year should warrant seeing a Doctor or dermatologist.

They can be filled with Pus and Blood, or just Pus, or Blood.  They can become so big that you can actually move the contents of the lesions around.                                                         Some come to a Point and at this time you can have them I&D'd and the majority of the contents will be emptied at one time.  Some are stubborn and may take months to ever come to a place where it can be I&D'd having to endure much pain while you are waiting on these.  Some have waited up to 3 years on them to rippen fully.

Fever - Ranging from slightly elevated to around 102 degrees.  If cellulitis is present it can go very high.

Fatigue - Wanting to sleep, lethargy

Pain - HS pain is very difficult to manage

Flu Like Symptoms - You feel like you have a bad case of the flu

Depression - Caused from the pain, the condition our bodies are in from the disease

Many women see an increase of Hidradenitis activity around their menstrual cycle

Some report being sick at their stomach to the point of vomiting when their Hidradenitis is forming

Having Chills - When we should'nt be, no fever present, warm outside, etc.

Strange Odor, Foul Odor, Tingling - At or near the sight of where the HS is fixing to occur

Itching - Many people report severe itching in, or on their HS areas

Purple to black scarring - After the lesion has been emptied of pus and blood, often times what remains are purplish to black scars.

Sweating - Some people sweat profusely, while others do not sweat at all.

Sinus Tracks - One HS lump tunnels and forms new HS lumps and so on.

Cellulitis - Cellulitis can occur in HS lesions, this is something that should not be taken lightly, for this you need antibiotics.

Night Sweats - Some experience Night Sweats with their HS

HS Lumps or Lesions - Can be red and hot to the touch,    May not be red and hot to the touch

After bursting, or having a I&D - They can drain for months to years.  Some heal very quickly within days and do not open back up.

Blackheads - Blackheads in area where HS is about to attack is a very common symptom.   These Blackheads are (usually) very big.

When cultured most will not show an infection therefore antibiotics would not be useful.  Antibiotics will only be useful should their be a secondary infection.  Although some people say that antibiotics have helped them, we become immune to antibiotics and then when we need them they do not help us.  Be careful when using anti's too often.  Talk this over with your Dermatologist, General Practitioner, and make sure you know your facts before going on long term antibiotic therapy.