If you notice small, painful bumps underneath your skin, it could be due to a condition called hidradenitis suppurativa. At Houston Skin Associates in Museum District, Houston, and Pearland, Texas, their exceptional dermatologists offer various treatments for hidradenitis to reduce unpleasant symptoms and improve the health of your skin. Call the office to book an appointment or schedule a consultation online today.
Hidradenitis, also known as hidradenitis suppurativa, is a condition causing painful, small lumps under your skin. These may heal slowly but recur over time and cause scarring or other unpleasant symptoms. Treatment with Houston Skin Associates can relieve discomfort and reduce the risk of complications.
Hidradenitis suppurativa may result in the following signs or symptoms:
Painful lumps could last for several weeks or months before they heal. Hidradenitis bumps often appear in places where your skin rubs together, such as your buttocks, groin, armpits, or breasts.
Complications occurring with untreated hidradenitis might include infections, scarring, skin changes, skin cancer, and swelling, as well as restricted skin movement, depression, or anxiety.
While the exact cause of hidradenitis suppurativa isn’t entirely clear, some factors increase your risk of experiencing it. Examples include:
Medical issues that could increase your risk of hidradenitis suppurativa include diabetes, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and metabolic syndrome.
To diagnose hidradenitis and design a treatment plan, your dermatologist discusses your symptoms and reviews your medical history with you. Your specialist may take a sample of pus or drainage (if it exists) from skin spots and send it to a lab for analysis.
The primary treatments for hidradenitis include:
Applying antibiotics to your skin can reduce mild symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa. You might also take oral medications, try hormone therapy, or receive injections.
Your specialist offers laser treatment to reduce hidradenitis suppurativa and its symptoms.
Houston Skin Associates provides a variety of surgical procedures to help you better manage hidradenitis, remove affected tissues, or expose tunnels underneath your skin.
If you suspect you have hidradenitis suppurativa and want symptom relief, call the Houston Skin Associates office or schedule an appointment online today.