What is hidradenitis suppurativa? Hidradenitis suppurativa is a type of skin condition that is characterized by a chronic and scarring disease that usually affects the apocrine or the sweat glands. This type of skin problem is actually very common; however, most cases are unfortunately misdiagnosed leading to the wrong interventions and treatment. In addition to this, hidradenitis suppurativa does not occur during puberty years or younger. Most cases of this condition are those aged already from 20 to 40 years old. Once this problem occurs, it can be very distressing since it can cause or create drastic changes in the appearance of the skin. For us to understand more of this skin problem; let us discuss some of the facts about this condition including one of its main treatments, the hidradenitis suppurativa surgery.
What causes hidradenitis suppurativa to occur? The exact cause or reason why hidradenitis occurs is not yet precisely known. Some medical or skin experts suggest that this condition is caused by the formation or the production of keratin plugs in the follicles. Other researchers; however, believe that hidradenitis suppurativa is a result of the blockage of the apocrine glands since this condition usually starts in areas that contain these sweat glands. Because of these factors, the plugged gland tends to enlarge causing it to rupture and becomes infected. Recent studies have also shown the relation of obesity and cigarette smoking to the occurrence of hidradenitis suppurativa.
What does this skin condition look like? Hidradenitis suppurativa usually forms in body parts that contain sweat glands such as the armpits, the buttocks, the groin and the scalp. Mild form of this condition resembles more like a cluster of blackheads under the skin. However, as the condition worsens, the skin will now become inflamed, which will then lead to painful abscesses. These abscesses heal irregularly thus causing cord like scars and marks on the skin. Infection can also occur causing boils to form, which are very painful and restrictive even to slight movement.
Because of the ugly appearance it causes our skin, surgery is most of the time considered as the best solution and treatment for the skin problem. The surgical procedure for hidradenitis suppurativa is called the wide local excision. In this particular operation, the affected area as well as the surrounding tissues are surgically excised or removed. The excised skin however, is not stitched back together, rather the wound is left open to heal. Nevertheless, skin grafting can still be used in order to replace the excised skin area and speed up the healing process. Doing this type of management can surely treat the problem and get rid of the old and ugly aftermath of the skin condition. This procedure; however, can be very expensive and costly to do. These are just some of the facts about hidradenitis suppurativa.
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