What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)?
Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a chronic systematic inflammatory condition that is characterized by shallow lumps and abscesses located mainly in the Intertriginous areas such as the groin, axilla, skinfolds of the breasts, and genital regions. These lumps form when deep tissue areas become inflamed due to high concentrations of fluids excreting from the apocrine sweat glands. Over time, these lumps may become infected and cause these lumps to tunnel under the skin.
Besides the pain, patients are forced to live with the discomforts of fluids excreting from their abscesses regularly. This causes clothing and bed sheets to ruin and also gives off an unpleasant odor. Collagen dressings contain ionic silver for broad spectrum anti-microbial activity, helping to prevent infections in the areas where the abscesses form and tunneling takes place. They contain alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose and allow the dressing to absorb twenty times it’s weight in drainage. While using these dressings, patients are able to feel comfort knowing that their clothes are not being ruined by the drainage of their abscesses.