Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Practical Review of Possible Medical Treatments Based on Over 350 Hidradenitis Patients

The review by Noah Scheinfeld MD on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) discussed the disease's profound impact on patients and its manifestation in various cutaneous areas. Based on over 350 patients, it highlighted that treatment depended on the morphology, extent, severity, and duration of HS. Mild cases were often managed with topical clindamycin and dapsone, while stage 1 and 2 HS typically required a combination of rifampin and either oral clindamycin or minocycline. Severe cases necessitated more aggressive treatments like cyclosporine, adalimumab, or infliximab, and sometimes intravenous antibiotics. The review also mentioned the potential role of lifestyle modifications, such as weight loss, and various surgical and laser treatments. The etiology of HS was not fully defined, but it might involve defects in follicular immunity and reactions to coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. The review emphasized the need for individualized treatment plans and noted that future articles would address other aspects of HS, including its etiology, surgical treatments, pain control, and psychosocial impact.