Hidradenitis suppurativa is the painful lumps and boils that keep coming back in the armpits, groin and under the breasts. HS research counts flares, pain and drainage over months, in private rooms with a clinical team that has seen it all before.
HS carries shame that other skin conditions do not, and the first worry about research is being examined. Visits happen in a private room with a clinical team that works with HS every week, and the person says what is checked and when.
Teams in this area count how many flares come and how long they last, measure pain and drainage, and watch how the lumps change alongside the care a person already gets, including medicines that work differently from the ones already available. Taking part usually means a skin check, a few short questionnaires about pain and daily life, and routine lab work on some visits.
An independent review board approves every HS program before it opens and watches it while it runs. Register your interest here and the clinical team will reach out with what is being followed nearby.
What members say
The BonfireFrequently asked questions
How private is an HS research visit?
A closed room, a clinical team that works with HS regularly, and a person who decides what is examined and when. Photos, if a program takes them, are explained and agreed first.
What do HS teams track?
How many flares come, how long they last, how much they hurt, how much they drain, and how that changes over months. Short questionnaires about work, sleep and daily life complete the picture.
Will I have to stop my current HS treatment?
Programs differ, and the clinical team says exactly how a program fits with a person's current care before anything begins. Nothing changes before that conversation.
What happens if a flare starts right before a visit?
The clinical team expects flares and wants to see them; a visit can also be moved. A person can reach the team between visits.
Can I keep my own dermatologist?
Yes. Programs run alongside a person's usual skin care, and the clinical team explains how results reach that doctor.
Is there compensation for taking part?
Compensation may be available for your time and inconvenience.
