Differentiating the Role of Inflammation in Hidradenitis Suppurativa from that in other Inflammatory Skin Diseases.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by nodules, abscesses, and sinus tunnels, primarily in intertriginous areas. Symptoms of HS are associated with reduced psychosocial health and physical function. HS shares some pathogenic, cellular, and molecular features with other inflammatory skin diseases, highlighting its heterogeneity and complexity. This heterogeneity in disease presentation may contribute to the diagnosis delay observed with HS. The primary objective of this review is to highlight the initiating events, inflammatory signature, molecular features, and clinical features that differentiate HS from other inflammatory skin diseases to improve outcomes for patients with HS.