Your Interactive Patient Guide to Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)

Learn more about HS, take charge of your care, and discover support and hope along the way.

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Your Interactive Patient Guide to Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is here to support you on your journey with HS. Inside, you’ll find practical tips and patient-friendly resources to help you understand your symptoms, care for wounds, explore treatment options, manage insurance, and tackle challenges at work, school, and in relationships.

You’ll also hear from other HS patients who share their experiences and offer real-life advice on advocating for yourself with your doctor. With a focus on shared decision-making, this guide encourages you to work with your health care team to make sure your voice is heard and you get the care you need and deserve.

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With our free Interactive Patient Guide to HS, you can:

Choose exactly what you want to learn about.
Jot down notes to reflect on what you’ve learned.
Plan your next steps to take better control of your HS.

By downloading now, you and your loved ones will be ready to:

Learn about HS symptoms, diagnosis, and risk factors, and read real patient stories.
Discover tips for managing HS at work, school, and in relationships.
Explore treatment options, including medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes.
Navigate challenges like insurance, finances, and finding the right health care partner.
Build your support system by connecting with others and accessing helpful resources.
Share your story, fight stigma, and learn from inspiring HS advocates.
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The Global Healthy Living Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses (such as arthritis, osteoporosis, migraine, psoriasis, asthma, alopecia, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiovascular disease) by advocating for improved access to health care at the community, state, and federal levels, and amplifying education and awareness efforts within its social media framework.

The Global Healthy Living Foundation is the parent organization of CreakyJoints®, the international digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, activism, and patient-centered research in English and Spanish through our PatientSpot® (PatientSpot.org) Research Registry. Via CreakyJoints, GHLF also hosts PainSpot (PainSpot.org), a digital risk-assessment tool for musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, eRheum (eRheum.org), for telehealth and virtual-care support, and a constantly refreshed library of podcasts via the GHLF Podcast Network. GHLF never asks the public for donations.

Your Interactive Patient Guide to Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is part of The CreakyJoints Patient Guidelines series created specifically for people living with chronic illness. These guides provide detailed, easy-to-understand explanations about symptoms, treatment options, co-occurring conditions, and practical strategies for managing your condition in daily life.

Important Note: These patient guides are not a replacement for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about your condition and treatment options. Think of this patient guide as a starting point to help you prepare for conversations with your doctor and loved ones.

This guide was created with help from patients and experts who know HS firsthand.

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Amit Garg, MD

Dr. Garg is a dermatologist and researcher focused on improving care for HS patients. As a board member of the HS Foundation, he works to raise awareness about HS and supports the development of new treatments.

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Brindley Brooks

Brindley is the Founder of HS Connect, an advocacy group for people with HS. With 35 years of experience living with HS and as a mom to two daughters who live with HS, Brindley brings personal and professional insights to this guide.

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Your Interactive Patient Guide to Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) was made possible thanks to the support of UCB, Inc.

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