Armpit envy; it’s something I’m sure most have not experienced, or even considered. For those with HS, this is a normal occurrence. Being constantly aware of your clothing, drainage and odor are things that no one else takes into account on a normal day, but they are constantly running through the head of someone with HS. Wearing tank tops in summer, let alone bathing suits, strike fear in our hearts. I have tried, like most of us, almost everything to help with my HS. Some “treatments” made the situation worse and just added insult to injury. I was finally advised to see a surgeon and begrudgingly agreed. This consultation led me to the best decision I’ve ever made for myself. It has had a tremendous impact on my HS, and as a result, my entire life.
I’ve had 5 wide excision surgeries to date and need at least 1 more. Since having surgery I have had the least amount of pain I can remember. My life has improved in so many ways; ways I’m still discovering. During my recovery I met my co-founder and together we started HS Connect (hsconnect.org). My journey has opened doors I didn’t know existed. We currently help over 8,000 people per month on our platform, offer copious amounts of information to practitioners who want to learn more about HS, have a support group with over 8,600 members, work with some of the greatest HS Dermatologists globally, have the privilege of attending symposiums, speaking engagements, working with pharmaceutical companies, providing a patient and advocate voice for HS, and most importantly, helping take HS in the right direction.
