Which condition is a chronic skin disease featuring painful lumps in apocrine-gland areas?

Which condition is a chronic skin disease featuring painful lumps in apocrine-gland areas?

• A. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)
• B. Hair papillae
• C. Folliculitis
• D. PIH

Answer: (A)

This item is testing recognition of hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that forms painful nodules in areas rich in apocrine glands, such as the armpits and groin. The hallmark is recurrent, painful lumps that can develop into abscesses and drain through sinus tracts, often leading to scarring over time. This combination of chronic, relapsing inflammation and lesions in apocrine-bearing regions is what sets HS apart. Hair papillae describes a structure involved in hair growth rather than a disease. Folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles and can cause bumps, but it’s usually more superficial and not characteristically limited to apocrine areas with sinus tracts. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is pigment change after inflammation, not lump formation. Therefore, hidradenitis suppurativa is the best match.

This item is testing recognition of hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that forms painful nodules in areas rich in apocrine glands, such as the armpits and groin. The hallmark is recurrent, painful lumps that can develop into abscesses and drain through sinus tracts, often leading to scarring over time. This combination of chronic, relapsing inflammation and lesions in apocrine-bearing regions is what sets HS apart.

Hair papillae describes a structure involved in hair growth rather than a disease. Folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles and can cause bumps, but it’s usually more superficial and not characteristically limited to apocrine areas with sinus tracts. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is pigment change after inflammation, not lump formation. Therefore, hidradenitis suppurativa is the best match.