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WHAT is hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)? HS stands for two big and hard1to1pronounce words, hidradenitis suppurativa, which is the medical term for the disease your parent has. 1 HS is a skin disease that causes different types of painful red bumps and spots on the skin. These bumps can be big or small and often appear where skin rubs together like armpits and private areas, but can appear in other places too. 1,2 WHY does my parent have HS? Doctors haven’t figured that out yet. They believe HS may have to do with hair getting stuck underneath the skin. 2,3 WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA (HS)? Children’s Guide to Understanding HS and Its Impact WHAT does it feel like to have HS? HS hurts and since it is something that your parent will live with for a long time, your mom or dad may be in pain a lot. 1,2,3 Your parent might often feel sad and may want to spend time alone. 1 Your mom or dad might have to spend time putting bandages on the areas of their skin that are affected by HS. 4 Sometimes your parent won’t be able to do normal activities like going to work or playing outside. 1,2 Because HS can be very painful, your parent may not be able to move around as much as usual. If your mom or dad has HS, they may not be able to hug you or play with you because it’s too painful. 1,2 Your mom or dad may feel embarrassed because he or she feels uncomfortable about the red bumps on their skin. 1 1626480
