Recommendations developed for management of hidradenitis suppurativa

Evidence-based recommendations are presented for the management of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in guidelines of care issued by the American Academy of Dermatology and the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation and published online Oct. 20 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Haley B. Naik, M.D., from the University of California in San Francisco, and colleagues conducted a systematic review to provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of HS.

The authors presented 37 evidence-based recommendations. Adalimumab, bimekizumab, infliximab, secukinumab and routine pain assessment were strongly recommended. Conditional recommendations included use of topical therapies (clindamycin, resorcinol and ruxolitinib), as well as systemic antibiotics (oral doxycycline, tetracycline, clindamycin with rifampin and intravenous ertapenem). In addition, there were conditional recommendations for hormone therapy with spironolactone, short-term systemic corticosteroids and upadacitinib. Specific procedural interventions, tobacco cessation, supportive pain management, and zinc supplementation and vitamin D repletion were also conditionally recommended.

“These guidelines establish an evidence-based standard of care for HS, giving patients, dermatologists and payers a shared roadmap for what high-quality HS care looks like,” Naik said in a statement. “Every person living with HS deserves care that meets this standard.”

Who’s behind this story?

Gaby Clark

MA in English, copy editor since 2021 with experience in higher education and health content. Dedicated to trustworthy science news.

Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master’s in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X’s editorial success.

Full profile →

© 2026 HealthDay. All rights reserved.