Hidradenitis suppurativa Resources

Like many skin conditions commonly encountered in primary care (e.g. dermatitis, psoriasis and acne vulgaris), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can be both difficult to spell and pronounce. HS can also be difficult to identify, despite being an inflammatory skin condition that affects as many people as psoriasis (Penzer Hick, 2022). As a consequence, it can sometimes take several years for patients to get a diagnosis; approximately 35% of people with HS reported it taking three to 10 years to be diagnosed (Nicolle, 2022).

To help address this by improving recognition of HS, JCN and GPN in partnership with Mediq, have produced a poster for clinicians to use in practice settings to raise awareness among both healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a devastating, progressive disease of the skin which is poorly understood and often misdiagnosed (British Dermatological Nursing Group [BDNG], 2022; Moloney et al, 2022). It affects the hair follicles and is characterised by recurring inflammatory nodules, abscesses, draining lesions and tunnels (World Union of Wound Healing Societies [WUWHS], 2016; Moloney et al, 2022)

Dermatological conditions are notoriously difficult to spell! Psoriasis with its silent ‘P’ and eczema without an ‘X’. But how about hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)? Hard to spell, hard to pronounce but, more importantly, really hard to be a patient with the condition.

Wound care specialist and NHS supplier, Daylong Direct, is introducing the world’s first adhesive-free, wearable wound care solution specifically designed for people living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), HidraWear, to the UK.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that causes recurrent and painful nodules, boils, abscesses and lesions of the skin (Revuz, 2009). This recurrent and often painful disease is frequently overlooked and can have a profound impact on a patient’s quality of life (Matusiak, 2018).

The founder of HidraWear, Suzanne Moloney, has been living with HS for decades. She and her team have successfully listed HidraWear for reimbursement through the public health service in Ireland, making it the first country in the world to make HS specific dressings available through its public health provision. She is now working with Daylong Direct towards making HidraWear available for patients on prescriptions in the UK. Here, she talks about the difficult journey to getting her diagnosis, the daily struggles of living with HS, and the importance of raising awareness of the condition.