Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as HS, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful lumps filled with pus and blood. The swelling can appear anywhere on the body where there are hair follicles, including the face and scalp. They’re most commonly seen, however, on skin folds such as the armpits, inner thighs, underneath the breasts and the groin.
When the abscesses rupture, they drain and leave scars.
A study conducted by the Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa Atlas last year found that roughly 1% of the world’s population, or about one in 100 people, have HS. However, patients often experience symptoms for seven to 10 years before being diagnosed due to the lack of research and awareness in the medical community.
This ignorance has also spawned misconceptions, including that the condition is caused by poor hygiene or obesity, causing many patients to blame themselves, isolate and delay in seeking treatment.
This mini documentary aims to educate people on HS and highlight how the scars that once isolated patients now serve as a testament of their strength and resilience, propelling them to be a voice for others.
Xitlalic Montelongo is a junior pursuing a degree in digital journalism with a minor in marketing. Passionate about storytelling, she enjoys covering both general news and sports.
Yairi Lorenzo is a New York native and raised in Miami and college senior majoring in Digital interactive media and minoring in art specifically in photography. After graduation, she hopes to one day work for places like Sport Illustrative, Vogue, and Calvin kelin. Her interests also include becoming a sports photographer for MLB and NBA teams like the Marlins, the Heat, and the NY Nicks. Her dream career that she's aiming for is to be a photographer for The New York Yankees. She is passionate about that one day to get to photograph Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Yairi would also love to shoot for Formula 1, FIFA World Cup, and the Olympics.
Nikole Valiente is a junior studying digital journalism at Florida International University. When she’s not scouring the internet or obsessing over AP Style, the 22-year-old enjoys talking and sharing coladas with her close friends and family. Born to Cuban immigrants, Valiente aspires to be a reporter covering her hometown, Hialeah, the city of progress.
