The purpose of the immune system is to defend the body from infections and to keep us healthy. However, sometimes it doesn't function properly and can mistakenly attack the body.
This can lead to immune-mediated conditions, also known as autoinflammatory or autoimmune diseases. An example of this is hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS, a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that causes painful bumps to form. HS can worsen over time and can make movement, even daily activities, difficult or impossible due to pain. At Incyte, we are dedicated to advancing research for HS, in the hope of offering patients more effective management options than the current standard of care, which is often inadequate.
Joslyn Kirby: HS is a chronic skin condition that is linked to the immune system. The overactivity of the immune system causes painful bumps and, sometimes, open sores that can come and go over time. These bumps may look like acne, ingrown hairs or a bacterial infection, like boils or an infection of the skin, when the areas of inflammation are larger. Because HS can look like other conditions, it may be misdiagnosedβbut there are ongoing educational and awareness efforts to improve diagnosis, so those living with the condition can more quickly access treatment.
HS is classified into stages based on the severity of skin lesions. People with more severe HS may have draining tunnels within the skin.
These can be filled with fluid and leak and often result in permanent scarring to the skin. The presence of HS skin lesions of any severity, along with HS pain, itch, swelling or drainage, can cause people to experience anxiety and social isolation, among other daily challenges, as a result of living with the condition. Joslyn Kirby: HS is most often diagnosed in adults between 20 and 40 years old, but HS can also start earlier or later. About one percent of people, or about one in every hundred, in the U.
