Medically reviewed by William Truswell, MD
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- Hidradenitis suppurativa is a skin disorder that causes large, painful bumps that can rupture.
- While hidradenitis suppurativa is not fatal on its own, it can lead to health conditions that increase your risk of death, including skin cancer, sepsis, and mental health problems.
- Medications, procedures, and therapy may help ease symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), or acne inversa, causes inflamed lumps under the skin that can rupture, leading to pain and scarring. HS isn't fatal on its own, but it can lead to complications that may be deadly. Treatments can help manage symptoms and lower the risk of these complications.
Can Hidradenitis Suppurativa Cause Death?
On its own, HS isn't life-threatening. However, it can put you at risk of serious health problems and raise your risk of death.
When someone has HS, they develop boil-like lumps under their skin that break open to drain fluid and pus. These sores heal very slowly, raising the risk of infections. HS is also linked to other health issues such as squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. If HS is left untreated, the risk of complications grows.
Research shows that people with HS have an increased risk of death, particularly among those with a history of smoking.
Dangerous Complications of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) puts you at risk of many serious health problems that, in rare cases, can lead to death. It is important to be aware of the following potential complications—recognizing the warning signs allows you to seek treatment right away.
1. Sepsis
HS causes open wounds or sores that may introduce dangerous microorganisms into the body. When an infection reaches the blood, it can cause sepsis, a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body has an overwhelming response to an infection.
Possible signs of sepsis include severe pain, shivering, high heart rate, weak pulse, shortness of breath, and confusion. In some cases, sepsis can lead to death.
However, sepsis in people with HS is rare, and evidence suggests the condition itself doesn't lead to sepsis—cases have occurred in people with multiple health concerns.
To lower the risk of sepsis with HS, do your best to prevent infections in the first place. Keep your sores clean and never try to pop or squeeze them.
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Research suggests that up to 4.6% of people with HS develop squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Diagnosing skin cancer in a person with HS can be challenging because the sores appear similar—this may delay diagnosis, which can worsen the prognosis.
Possible signs of squamous cell carcinoma include a new sore with a scaly crust or an abnormal, rough patch of skin. See your healthcare provider if you develop any new skin sores or changes.
3. Metabolic Syndrome
People with HS are more likely to have metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of symptoms, including:
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High levels of triglycerides (fat in the blood)
- Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol
- A larger waistline
Metabolic syndrome can raise your risk of death. Fortunately, there are lifestyle changes that can reverse it. To improve your symptoms, focus on daily exercise and eating a nutrient-dense diet. A healthcare professional can help you manage metabolic syndrome.
4. Heart Disease
People with HS are at an increased risk of developing heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and other major adverse cardiac events. They're also at an increased risk of dying from heart disease, especially if they have a history of smoking.
More research is needed to determine exactly why this skin condition seemingly has a negative impact on heart health; however, there's some evidence that the chronic inflammation associated with HS may play a role.
5. Diabetes
Having HS may significantly raise your risk of type 2 diabetes—in fact, research suggests people with HS are three times more likely to have type 2 diabetes than those without the skin condition. Diabetes can take a serious toll on your health, and it's the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
Exercising and losing small amounts of weight can help prevent type 2 diabetes, so talk to your doctor if you're concerned about your risk. If you already have type 2 diabetes, medications and lifestyle changes can help you manage your condition.
6. Depression
Dealing with HS symptoms can be really challenging, and as a result, the condition increases your risk of experiencing mental health concerns. Research suggests that people with HS are significantly more likely to receive a depression diagnosis and may be at a higher risk of death by suicide.
Fortunately, there are effective treatment options for depression, such as therapy and medication. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your mental health.
How Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treated?
There is no cure for HS. However, proper treatment can help you manage symptoms, prevent new sores from forming, improve your quality of life, and lower your risk of serious complications. Treatment options include:
- Medication: People with HS may benefit from pain relievers, antibiotics, steroids, or other drugs that limit inflammation. For people with more mild cases, these medications may be topical. Otherwise, medications are often injected or taken by mouth.
- Surgery: Your healthcare team may recommend procedures to remove lumps or scars.
- Lifestyle: To ease your symptoms, wear loose-fitting clothing, keep your skin clean and dry, and avoid heat and humidity. It may also be helpful to maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking.
Next Steps
If you think that you may be experiencing infections, mental health issues, or any other complications from HS, it's important to see your doctor. They can perform additional testing to determine how to move forward. Keeping skin clean with antimicrobial soaps can help reduce the risk of infection.
