Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa Contagious?

If you have hidradenitis suppurativa, you probably also have lots of questions. (Starting with: How exactly do I pronounce this? Quickly followed by: Is hidradenitis suppurativa contagious?) Also referred to as acne inversa or simply “HS” (now that’s a little easier), this inflammatory skin disease involves painful, boil-like cysts that form under the skin. The areas of skin most often affected are the warm crevices of your body—your underarms, groin, buttocks, under-boob area, or inner thighs. Talk about an uncomfortable situation: Caused by blockage of hair follicles and sweat glands, these red lumps can be unsightly, painful, and they can sometimes burst, drain pus, and lead to open lesions and scarring. Other symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa include blackheads and, in severe cases, abscesses and tunnels underneath the skin (known as fistulas or sinus tracts). It’s a lot to deal with, but don’t worry, information and help are out there. Start by getting answers to the following common questions people have about hidradenitis suppurativa.

Is hidradenitis suppurativa contagious?

You can breathe easy on this one: Hidradenitis suppurativa is not contagious. However, it’s true that if a family member has hidradenitis suppurativa, you also might get it—not because it’s contagious, but because having a family history of this skin disease increases your chances of diagnosis (which usually happens after puberty, in your teens or 20s). So, what does cause HS? While the exact cause of hidradenitis suppurativa is still unknown, environmental factors like smoking, poor diet, and obesity can contribute to the development of the condition. Other risk factors: More women than men get HS, and Black people are two to three times more likely to have this skin condition—and they’re more likely to experience more severe symptoms.

Is hidradenitis suppurativa caused by poor hygiene?

No. HS lesions don’t result from poor hygiene. That said, there is one specific way in which your bathing habits can exacerbate HS: Shaving affected areas where you have a flare-up can make things worse. On the flip side, tweaks to your skincare routine can help reduce flare-ups. Example: Lathering up with an antimicrobial body wash may help prevent blocked sweat glands and hair follicles from becoming infected and turning into painful nodules.

Is hidradenitis suppurativa curable?

HS is not curable, but it’s treatable and can go into remission. It’s crucial to book an appointment with a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional to discuss treatment options that may help ease your symptoms. Options include prescription biologic treatments like secukinumab and adalimumab (also used to treat psoriasis), antibiotics, steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, metformin (a diabetes drug), topical retinoids, and even laser hair removal (yes, this can really help in areas like the armpits). Certain types of oral birth control may also help resolve hidradenitis suppurativa, according to recent studies.

Does hidradenitis suppurativa increase my risk of depression?

People with HS do have an increased rate of depression, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Hidradenitis suppurativa can involve chronic pain in sensitive areas of the body as well as aesthetic challenges like scarring and lumps that break open to release foul-smelling liquid. Thus, this chronic skin condition may understandably begin to affect your self-esteem, mental health, and quality of life over the long term. This is another reason it’s important to seek help from a dermatologist or healthcare professional; studies have shown that people who seek out effective treatments for their HS also see a reduction in depression symptoms. Improving your diet can also help with both your HS symptoms and your mood. It can also be very helpful to seek out a support group specific to this condition. The HS Foundation offers a list of in-person HS support groups across the country, and there are also many you can join online.