This June 1–7, we recognize and raise awareness of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) — the chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects an estimated 1% of the world’s population. Causing painful nodules, abscesses, and tunnels beneath the skin, HS can have a significant impact on both physical and emotional well-being. Alongside the HS Foundation, LiVDerm is proud to recognize this annual initiative dedicated to raising awareness, promoting education, and connecting patients, clinicians, and researchers with valuable resources and support.
Support, Education, and Advocacy
Nearly three million people in the U.S. are living with HS, a condition that is often mistaken for infected hair follicles, boils, cysts, or abscesses. Delayed diagnosis remains a significant challenge, making education and awareness especially important.
Launched in 2005, the Foundation aims to foster and encourage worldwide research while developing and supporting a network of interdisciplinary scientists and physicians dedicated to advancing HS care.
This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” emphasizes the importance of collaboration among patients, healthcare providers, researchers, and advocates in advancing HS care and improving quality of life.
To support those affected by HS, the HS Foundation offers a wide range of educational and support resources.
For patients, resources include:
- A searchable directory to help locate HS specialists
- The HS Patient Guide
- Access to the HS Buddy Program, a free peer-support initiative that connects individuals with others who understand the challenges of living with HS
- Information about the latest HS research and treatment developments
For clinicians, the Foundation provides:
- Prior authorization templates
- Treatment guidelines
- Educational videos and patient materials
- Best-practice resources
- Guidance for establishing an HS specialty clinic
Investigators and researchers can access information about research funding opportunities, including the Danby Research Grant, Translational Research Grant, and Mentored Experience Grant, all designed to support continued innovation in HS research.
The Foundation also sponsors educational programs and events, including the annual Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances (SHSA), which brings together clinicians, researchers, industry leaders, and patient advocates, as well as HS Academy, a hands-on educational program for dermatology residents.
Looking Ahead
While there is currently no cure for HS and treatment remains challenging for many patients, the therapeutic landscape continues to evolve, with numerous investigational therapies currently being studied. Alongside these scientific advances, organizations such as the HS Foundation continue to play a critical role in improving awareness, expanding access to resources, and supporting the individuals and families affected by this often misunderstood disease.
Brent Hazelett, MPA, CAE, CEO of the HS Foundation, pointed out that by providing guidelines, the Foundation aims to help lay the groundwork for future research and treatment while creating “the starting point for the next set of questions.”
Guidelines, he added, “show us what we don’t know yet. By documenting where the evidence supports a strong recommendation and where it doesn’t, they make clear which questions the field still needs to answer. That clarity helps direct research priorities, at the foundation level, at NIH, and within industry, toward the gaps that most need closing. The next version of any guideline is shaped by what the current one exposes.”
During Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week, the Foundation encourages patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates to explore available resources, share their experiences, and help raise awareness of HS. By working together to advance education, research, and patient support, the HS community continues to demonstrate the power behind this year’s theme: Stronger Together.
