It sounds like the injections worked really well for your groin — that's a win worth acknowledging! The armpits can be a trickier area, and it's not uncommon for HS to continue spreading or recurring there despite repeated treatments. When injections stop providing lasting relief and new areas keep flaring, surgery becomes Show Full Answer
It sounds like the injections worked really well for your groin — that's a win worth acknowledging! The armpits can be a trickier area, and it's not uncommon for HS to continue spreading or recurring there despite repeated treatments. When injections stop providing lasting relief and new areas keep flaring, surgery becomes a more serious consideration. There are a couple of surgical options your dermatologist may be referring to:
- Unroofing (deroofing): A less invasive procedure that opens up tunnels under the skin. Studies suggest it has a lower recurrence rate (around 14.5%) compared to full excision, and interestingly, the armpit tends to respond well to this approach — likely because it's easier to care for and experiences less friction.
- Wide excision: Removal of larger areas of affected skin. It has a higher recurrence rate (around 30%) and can involve longer healing times, wound contraction, and potential scarring that may limit arm movement. Scarring in the armpit area specifically can sometimes reduce your range of motion — meaning how high you can raise your arm — so it's worth discussing this risk openly with your dermatologist before deciding.
Getting a second opinion from another dermatologist or a surgeon experienced in HS is always a reasonable step when facing a big decision like surgery.
July 6
Join
Your Privacy Choices
