ISSN: 2574-7800
Authors: Agnese E*, Christoforides S and Fromowitz J
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin condition affecting the pilosebaceous unit. It is characterized by the formation of painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts in intertriginous regions. HS has numerous, well documented risk factors including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. Weight loss is frequently recommended as a lifestyle change for patients diagnosed with HS. There is evidence that shows weight loss improves disease severity in most cases. However, there are reports of patients who have experienced stable, worsening, or de novo disease development after undergoing bariatric surgery. Nutrition is proving to be an increasingly important aspect in the management of HS. Deficiencies in micronutrients, such as Vitamin D and zinc, as well as the consumption of triggering foods including dairy and brewer’s yeast, are implicated in HS. Encouraging patients to consume a healthy diet with supplementation of micronutrients and avoidance of dairy and brewer’s yeast has been linked to decreased HS severity. Physical activity is commonly recommended to aid in weight loss, but has been understudied in HS patients. There are reports of increased levels of physical activity decreasing disease severity, but more research is needed on this topic
Keywords: Pilosebaceous; Intertriginous; Worsening; Hidradenitis Suppurativa
