Also known as acne inversa; a skin condition with painful pus-filled cysts in the underarms, under the breasts, and in the groin area is called what?

Also known as acne inversa; a skin condition with painful pus-filled cysts in the underarms, under the breasts, and in the groin area is called what?

• A. Folliculitis
• B. Hair papillae
• C. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)
• D. PIH

Answer: (C)

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful nodules and abscesses in skin folds where sweat glands are concentrated, such as the underarms, groin, and beneath the breasts. These lesions can be pus-filled and may draining or form sinus tracts over time, and the condition is also known as acne inversa because it resembles acne and tends to occur in areas where hair follicles and sweat glands are close together. This description directly matches the scenario given, making it the best fit. Folliculitis, by contrast, is inflammation of individual hair follicles and typically presents as smaller red bumps or pustules around hair shafts, not the deep, recurrent cysts in the body’s folds. PIH refers to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a pigment change after inflammation rather than a disease that produces pus-filled cysts. Hair papillae are structural components of hair follicles, not a disease causing these lesions.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful nodules and abscesses in skin folds where sweat glands are concentrated, such as the underarms, groin, and beneath the breasts. These lesions can be pus-filled and may draining or form sinus tracts over time, and the condition is also known as acne inversa because it resembles acne and tends to occur in areas where hair follicles and sweat glands are close together. This description directly matches the scenario given, making it the best fit.

Folliculitis, by contrast, is inflammation of individual hair follicles and typically presents as smaller red bumps or pustules around hair shafts, not the deep, recurrent cysts in the body’s folds. PIH refers to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a pigment change after inflammation rather than a disease that produces pus-filled cysts. Hair papillae are structural components of hair follicles, not a disease causing these lesions.