LAUSR

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease that disproportionately affects women of childbearing age. Hidradenitis suppurativa is characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, draining dermal tunnels, and scarring with predilection for intertriginous sites, such as the axilla, groin, and breast regions. Delay in diagnosis and treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa often results in long-term sequelae leading to significant morbidity, and rarely mortality, in these patients. This Clinical Opinion suggests that Obstetrician-Gynecologists (ob-gyns) are uniquely poised to recognize early signs of hidradenitis suppurativa during routine well-woman exams and initiate treatment or referral to dermatology. Herein, we provide clinical pearls for ob-gyns caring for female patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, including strategies for comprehensive management and recommendations to improve comfort of hidradenitis suppurativa patients during exams.