At Your Appointment

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Acne Inversa) Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.
  • Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
  • How have you been doing with managing your hidradenitis suppurativa? Have you had any flares?
  • How is your hidradenitis suppurativa now compared to six months ago: better, the same, or worse?
  • Is your hidradenitis suppurativa causing you pain or restricting your movements?
  • Do you have any swelling in the arms, legs or genitals?
  • Do you have any scarring from wounds that have healed?
  • How is your hidradenitis affecting you emotionally or socially, or impacting your quality of life?
  • Describe your skin problem. Do you have boils or painful lumps under your skin?
  • Are the boils, lumps or inflamed areas a one-time occurrence, or have you had these before?
  • Where are the boils/lumps/inflamed areas? Are they under your armpits or breasts, in the folds of your stomach, in the groin or genital area, or in and around the buttocks?
  • Do you have boils/lumps/inflamed areas that appear on both sides of the body?
  • Are the boils/lumps/inflamed areas painful or ever leaked pus?
  • For how long have you been experiencing these skin problems?
  • What medications have you been taking for your skin problems? Has it helped?
  • What new symptoms are you experiencing?
  • How are your symptoms impacting your quality of life? A lot, somewhat, or not much at all?
  • What causes hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa)?
  • Could my symptoms be caused by another medical condition?
  • Is hidradenitis suppurativa dangerous or contagious?
  • What are the treatment options for hidradenitis suppurativa?
  • Are there lifestyle changes I can make, such as diet or exercise, or things I should avoid to manage my condition?
  • How should I care for my skin when I am having a flare or break-out?
  • How often should you monitor my hidradenitis suppurativa for changes?
  • Would you categorize my hidradenitis suppurative as mild, moderate or severe?
  • What are the best hidradenitis suppurativa treatments for me?
  • Am I a candidate for a biologic medicine? How long will I need to receive biologics?
  • Are there different medications, or a combination of treatments, that would do a better job of managing my skin symptoms?
  • Are my new or different symptoms an indication that my skin problem is getting worse?
  • What is the best treatment plan for my skin symptoms?
  • Why does hidradenitis suppurativa strike in sensitive areas of the body?
  • Does hidradenitis come and go? Is it possible this will go into remission or go away?
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Last Review Date: 2018 Jul 16
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
  1. What is Hedradenitis Suppurative? Hidradenitis Suppurative Foundation, Inc. http://www.hs-foundation.org/what-is-hs/
  2. Hidradenitis Suppurative. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hidradenitis-suppurativa/symptoms-causes/syc-20352306
  3. Recognize, Treat, and Teach Others to Spot Hidradenitis Suppurative. Dermatology News. https://www.mdedge.com/edermatologynews/article/130098/aesthetic-dermatology/recognize-treat-and-tea...