Can you get HS on your face, and how can you tell the difference from cystic acne?
Yes, you can get HS on your face, though it's less common than other areas. The symptoms you're describing—tunneling, new pockets forming, and pus with blood—sound more consistent with HS than typical acne.
Here are key differences between Show Full Answer
Can you get HS on your face, and how can you tell the difference from cystic acne?
Yes, you can get HS on your face, though it's less common than other areas. The symptoms you're describing—tunneling, new pockets forming, and pus with blood—sound more consistent with HS than typical acne.
Here are key differences between facial HS and cystic acne:
HS characteristics:
- Tunnels (tracts) that connect lumps under the skin
- Lesions that keep coming back in the same spots
- Double-headed blackheads that often appear in pairs
- Drainage that can be foul-smelling
- Slow or incomplete healing
- Significant scarring from tunneling
Cystic acne characteristics:
- No tunneling under the skin
- Lesions don't typically form connected pockets
- Less likely to repeatedly return in exact same locations
- Different scarring pattern (no tunnel scars)
The neon green/milky pus you're describing could indicate a secondary bacterial infection, which can happen with HS lesions.
Because facial HS is uncommon and can look similar to other skin conditions, you really need a dermatologist experienced in diagnosing HS to examine you. They'll look at your medical history, check for other HS symptoms, and determine the best treatment approach.
February 5
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