Best Doctors for Hidradenitis suppurativa in Chennai

Types/Stages of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa manifests in three stages:

• Stage 1: Characterised by single or a few sores without any sinus tracts or scarring.

• Stage 2: Multiple sores or affected areas are observed with limited sinus tracts and localised scarring.

• Stage 3: Extensive scarring and widespread sores with sinus tracts involving a large body area.

Symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

This skin condition presents with distinct symptoms including:

• Small areas of pitted skin containing blackheads

• Red, painful lumps that grow in size and eventually rupture, causing abscesses that drain fluid and pus

• Abscesses that heal slowly, recur frequently and result in long-term scarring and subcutaneous tunnels

Tests to Diagnose Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Doctors treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa diagnose the condition using:

• Clinical Examination: Visual and physical examination by a dermatologist to identify characteristic lesions and assess their severity.

• Bacterial Cultures: Swabs from draining lesions are cultured to identify any secondary bacterial infections and determine antibiotic sensitivity, which helps guide treatment.

• Biopsy: A small sample of skin tissue is taken from a lesion and examined under a microscope to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

• Ultrasound: A non-invasive imaging technique using sound waves to visualise structures beneath the skin, assess the extent of the disease, including deep tissue involvement, and detect sinus tract formation.

• Blood Tests: Laboratory tests such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) to check for signs of infection or inflammation, and to assess overall health.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Hidradenitis Suppurativa at Apollo Hospitals Chennai

The best doctors for hidradenitis suppurativa treatment at Apollo Hospitals Chennai offer a comprehensive range of treatments including:

• Medical Treatment: This involves skin care with benzoyl peroxide washes and antiperspirants, hormonal or anti-inflammatory medications, biologics or corticosteroid injections, wound care management, laser hair removal techniques, and mental health support.

• Surgical Treatment: Depending on the severity, surgical intervention might be necessary, which includes wide surgical excision of affected areas, surgical drainage of abscesses and sinus tracts, removal of lesions and scarring management.

• Incision and Drainage: A temporary relief procedure where abscesses are lanced and drained to alleviate pain and pressure. However, it is not a long-term solution as lesions often recur.

• Lifestyle Changes: This involves guiding patients towards weight reduction if obese, cessation of smoking to reduce severity, and advising them to wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce skin irritation.