Dermatologists outline comprehensive management for hidradenitis suppurativa

Medical experts Iltefat Hamzavi, MD, and Jennifer Hsiao, MD, have outlined comprehensive management strategies for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) at the 2026 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference. The approach emphasizes that effective care extends beyond medication selection to include structured symptom assessment, comorbidity screening, and wound care.

Clinicians are encouraged to use patient-reported data, such as waiting-room questionnaires, to assess pain, drainage, and the impact of the disease on quality of life. Screening for comorbidities like inflammatory bowel disease and spondyloarthritis is also critical for managing the patient population.

Regarding pharmacological advancements, there are currently three FDA-approved biologics for moderate to severe HS: adalimumab, secukinumab, and bimekizumab. Additionally, the oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor povorcitinib is currently under FDA review following phase 3 trials that showed significant clinical response rates in patients.