Speaking From the Heart: See One Man’s Journey to Not Let HS Get Him Down
Despite affecting millions worldwide, many have not heard of hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS. Learn more about the condition through one person’s journey.
Despite affecting millions of people worldwide, many have not heard of hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS.1
Brian, 32, of Toronto, Canada, felt the impact of living with HS for more than half of his life, “the weight of this disease is unfair to anybody, no matter how strong you are, it just takes a toll on you physically, emotionally, mentally.”
As part of What’s Your Sore Spot?, Brian created a series of videos explaining what it’s like to live with HS day in and day out, and how he moves beyond the disease. The campaign connects people impacted by HS with educational resources.
Learn more about Brian’s experience with HS:
Sometimes referred to as “acne inversa” by dermatologists, HS is a long-term or chronic skin condition that can be distinguished by painful, inflamed areas typically located around the armpits, groin and in between the buttocks.2,3 The inflamed pustules, nodules and spots usually occur where certain sweat glands (known as apocrine glands) are located, as well as under the breasts and on the inner thighs, where skin may rub together.4-8
Here Brian explains how he starts the day off right doing what he enjoys, working out:
And a year after first chronicling life with HS, Brian reflects back on his life two years ago and where he is now while offering powerful advice to other HS patients:
Visit What’s Your Sore Spot? to learn more.
Media inquiries: Dana Harville
Email: Dana.Harville@abbvie.com
Call: +1 847-935-0580
1. Dufour DN, Emtestam L, Jemec GB. Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Common and Burdensome, Yet Under-Recognised, Inflammatory Skin Disease. Postgrad Med J. 2014; 90 (1062):216-21.
2. Dufour DN, Emtestam L, Jemec GB. Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Common and Burdensome, Yet Under-Recognised, Inflammatory Skin Disease. Postgrad Med J. 2014; 90 (1062):216-21.
3. Jemec G. Hidradenitis Suppurativa. N Engl J Med. 2012; 366:158-64.
4. Mayo Health Clinic. Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hidradenitis-suppurativa/DS00818.Published April 9, 2013. Accessed October 1st, 2014
5. Jemec G. Hidradenitis Suppurativa. N Engl J Med. 2012; 366:158-64.
6. Collier F., Smith R., Morton C. Diagnosis and management of hidradenitis suppurativa. BMJ. 2013; 346:f2121.
7. Fimmel S, Zouboulis CC. Comorbidities of hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa). Dermatoendocrinol 2010; 2:9-16.
8. Zouboulis CC, Tsatsou F (2012) Disorders of the apocrine sweat glands. In: Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, Gilchrest BA, Paller AS, Leffell DJ, Wolff K (eds) Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. 8th ed, McGraw Hill, New York Chicago, pp 947-959.
