Both conditions can cause painful symptoms, but the lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa and herpes are very different, says Steven Feldman, MD, PhD, a professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a dermatologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, both in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
“Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammation that occurs deep in the glands of the skin and tends to cause severe scarring. The individual lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa can be recognized, especially early, on as boils,” says Dr. Feldman.
Herpes infections present differently, he says.
“Herpes causes little patches of pustules that are very superficial in the skin; they are very close to the skin surface and aren’t deep. There can be some redness and swelling, but you don’t have the pus deep in the skin like you do in hidradenitis suppurativa,” he says.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptoms
Symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa include:
- Small pitted areas of skin containing blackheads.
- Painful red lumps that get bigger and break open, which causes abscesses that drain fluid and pus. These may itch and have an unpleasant odor.
- Abscesses that are slow-healing, recurring, and can lead to scarring and tunnels under the skin.
Herpes Symptoms
Symptoms of genital herpes can include:
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue
- Genital itching, burning, or irritation
- Painful genital blisters or sores that break open
- Headaches
- Painful urination
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Unusual vaginal discharge or discharge from your urethra (the tube that carries pee out of your body)
Read the full article here