What causes hidradenitis suppurativa?
The exact cause of HS isn't fully understood, but researchers believe it starts when hair follicles become blocked by excess keratin, a skin protein. This blockage triggers inflammation and can cause the follicles to rupture, leading to the painful lesions you experience.
It's Show Full Answer
What causes hidradenitis suppurativa?
The exact cause of HS isn't fully understood, but researchers believe it starts when hair follicles become blocked by excess keratin, a skin protein. This blockage triggers inflammation and can cause the follicles to rupture, leading to the painful lesions you experience.
It's important to know that HS is not caused by poor hygiene, isn't contagious, and isn't a sexually transmitted infection. You can't catch it from someone else or spread it to others.
Several factors are thought to contribute to developing HS:
• Genetics - About 1 in 3 people with HS have a close relative with the condition
• Hormones - HS typically develops after puberty and rarely occurs after menopause, suggesting sex hormones play a role
• Immune system dysfunction - Your immune system may stay "switched on" even without an outside threat, causing ongoing inflammation
• Environmental and lifestyle factors
While these factors may increase your risk, having them doesn't guarantee you'll develop HS, and you can have HS without any of these risk factors.
March 15
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