# What are the most common areas affected by Hidradenitis Suppurativa? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/hidradenitis-suppurativa-most-common-affected-areas Language: en Category: dermatology Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T17:52:53.422Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T17:52:53.422Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/hidradenitis-suppurativa-most-common-affected-areas Hidradenitis suppurativa is characterized by its recurrent appearance in areas where skin rubs against skin, or where there are high concentrations of sweat glands and hair follicles. The most common areas affected are the armpits and the groin area [\[1\]](). Painful lumps and abscesses can also appear in other areas, such as around the anus, on the buttocks, and under the breasts, in addition to less common locations like the back of the neck, the waist, the navel area, and the scalp [\[2\]]() [\[3\]](). ## Nature of Involvement in Skin Folds The disease usually begins within the hair follicles of the skin. In these areas where continuous skin friction occurs, obstruction and accumulation of the protein keratin can happen inside the follicles, which traps bacteria and leads to inflammation and rupture of the follicle under the skin's surface [\[2\]](). This inflammation results in the formation of painful, hard lumps under the skin, which may later turn into abscesses that discharge fluid and pus. For more details on how to manage these painful conditions, see the article [Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Recurrent Painful Lumps in the Armpits and Skin Folds (Arabic)](). ## Characteristics of Disease Distribution on the Body A distinctive feature of this disease is that the resulting skin problems are often symmetrical; this means that if an area on one side of the body is affected, it is very likely that similar symptoms will appear in the corresponding area on the other side of the body [\[3\]](). The extent of the infection varies from person to person; while some people may suffer from having a single lump or a few lumps in only one area, the disease may extend in others to involve multiple areas of the body, which increases the likelihood of deep scarring or tunnels under the skin resulting from the repeated and incomplete healing processes of abscesses [\[1\]]() [\[3\]](). ## Complications of Disease Progression in These Areas The severity of the disease ranges based on the area of affected skin and the frequency of abscess occurrence. In severe cases, the spread of the infection to areas such as the buttocks or groin leads to chronic pain that may hinder normal daily movement [\[1\]](). Furthermore, chronic abscesses and persistent scarring in specific areas, especially around the buttocks, may carry rare risks for the development of more serious complications, such as squamous cell carcinoma [\[2\]](). It is necessary to monitor for any abnormal changes in these areas and not attempt to manually squeeze or open the lumps, as this may increase the severity of the inflammation and lead to additional complications [\[1\]](). ## Recommendations and Management of Affected Areas Given the lack of a radical and definitive cure, doctors focus on managing symptoms and avoiding skin irritants in those areas. It is recommended to wear loose-fitting clothing to reduce friction, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid smoking, as these factors play a role in mitigating the severity of symptoms in many affected individuals [\[1\]]() [\[2\]](). If the lumps are very painful, consistently discharging fluids, or appearing in multiple places with increasing frequency, a dermatologist should be consulted to evaluate the need for topical or systemic treatments, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications [\[1\]](). ## Medical references - [Hidradenitis Suppurativa]() - [Hidradenitis suppurativa]() - [Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/hidradenitis-suppurativa-most-common-affected-areas#answer