Hidradenitis suppurativa (he-drad-eh-NYE-tis seh-peer-uh-TYE-vuh) is a skin condition that causes red, swollen lumps that go away and come back. The lumps happen where skin rubs against skin or clothing (the armpits, groin, and buttocks are most often affected). The lumps are painful and can sometimes open and drain fluid. Hidradenitis suppurativa is caused by inflammation and isn't contagious. Treatment can help the lumps happen less often.

Skin Care

• Take care of any draining lumps as instructed.
• When using bandages, avoid things like tape or adhesive that stick to the skin, which can make things worse. Try gauze wrap or other bandages that don't stick to the skin. You can buy these in drugstores.
• Put petroleum jelly (Vaseline^®) on the bandage where it touches the wound to keep it from sticking. 
• Using a warm compress may help:
  • Make the compress warm by wetting a washcloth with warm (not hot) water.
  • Place the compress on the lump or draining skin for several minutes a few times a day.
• Apply any lotions or creams or give any medicines by mouth as instructed by the care team.
• Give any prescribed medicines as directed.

For Pain 

• If your health care provider says it's OK, give your child ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand) or acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often.

Check in with your child often to see if hidradenitis suppurativa is causing feelings of sadness or embarrassment. Remind them the condition is not their fault. Talk to your health care provider about mental health support if needed.

Your child has:

• increased or continued redness, swelling, draining, or pain around a lump
• a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher or chills
• pain that doesn't get better with pain medicine

• Red streaks are spreading from an infected lump or draining area.
• Your child seems to be getting sicker.

What happens in hidradenitis suppurativa? Hidradenitis suppurativa happens when skin follicles get blocked. Follicles are tiny tubes that hairs grow through. Blocked follicles trigger inflammation, which leads to a collection of pus forming a lump under the skin. Sometimes the pus drains through the skin and sometimes the lump just clears up over a week or a few weeks.

What causes hidradenitis suppurativa? Hidradenitis suppurativa happens due to an overactive immune response to blocked skin follicles. Experts are still studying why this happens. It's not from poor hygiene and often runs in families.

What can help with hidradenitis suppurativa? Treatments applied to the skin or swallowed (pills) can help control hidradenitis suppurativa. Health care providers suggest treatments based on how severe the lumps are and how often they happen.

People who smoke can have more problems from hidradenitis suppurativa. If your child or teen smokes and needs help quitting, talk to your health care provider, visit teen.smokefree.gov, or call (800) QUIT-NOW/(800) 784-8669.

Excess weight doesn't directly cause hidradenitis suppurativa, but people who are overweight are more likely to have it. Getting to and staying at a healthy weight could help manage symptoms. If needed, your health care provider can help you with a plan to get your child to a healthy weight. You also can visit hs-foundation.org for more information and support.