Hi there - Wonder if anyone has any information that will help to reduce the symptons of Hidradenitis Suppurativa. It s somthing that I have suffered with since I was 15 years old (I am now 32). To give you some background on the symptons, Wikipedia descibes it as:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidradenitis_suppurativaThe disease manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, sometimes as large as baseballs, that are extremely painful to the touch and may persist for years with occasional to frequent periods ofinflammation, culminating in drainage of pus, often leaving open wounds that will not heal. Drainage provides some relief from severe, often debilitating, pressure pain. Flare-ups may be triggered by stress, perspiration, hormonal changes (such as monthly cycles in women), humid heat, and clothing friction. Persistent lesions may lead to scarring and the formation of sinus tracts, or tunnels connecting the abscesses under the skin. At this stage, complete healing is usually not possible, and progression varies from person to person, with some experiencing remission anywhere from months to years at a time, others may worsen and require surgery in order to live comfortably. Occurrences of bacterial infections and cellulitis (deep tissue inflammation) may occur at these sites. HS pain can be difficult to manage.[1]HS often goes undiagnosed for years because patients are too ashamed to speak with anyone.[1] When they do see a doctor, the disease is frequently misdiagnosed or prescribed treatments are ineffective, temporary and sometimes even harmful. There is no known cure nor any consistently effective treatment. Carbon dioxide laser surgery is currently considered the last resort for those who have advanced to its highest stage, where the affected areas are excised, and the skin is grafted. Surgery doesn't always alleviate the condition, however, and can be very expensive.It is possible that there is genetic predisposition to the disease.[2] HS is not contagious, and is not affected nor caused by good or bad hygiene. HS is often called an 'orphan illness', due to little research being conducted on the disease at this time. Because HS is considered a rare disease, its incidence rate is not well known, but has been estimated as being between 1:24 (4.1%) and 1:600 (0.2%).This discription is pretty acurate from my point of view.  You can see images of the disease by completing a quick google image search - Please be warned that some images are quite graphic -.If anyone has suggestions I would be really happy to hear them as no doctor has even got close to helping and the pain is constant. Many thanks and all the best on your journies.B0110