Is It Hidradenitis Suppurativa? Or Herpes?

Staff
By Staff
3 Min Read

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

The first sign of hidradenitis suppurativa is often a single, painful lump under the skin that lasts for weeks or months. More bumps may follow, usually in areas with more sweat and oil glands or where the skin rubs together, such as the armpits, groin, buttocks, and breasts.

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

The symptoms of herpes can vary, and they are usually more intense on the first outbreak. Symptoms can last up to four weeks. But many people with herpes have no symptoms or mistake them for other skin conditions like a pimple or an ingrown hair.

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)
Recurrent outbreaks or flare-ups can happen at any time after the first outbreak, sometimes even years later. The symptoms of flare-ups are usually less severe than the first outbreak, and the symptoms don’t last as long.

Read the full article here

Share This Article
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *