Hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS, is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that causes painful bumps, cysts and abscess, typically in skin folds and areas with sweat glands.
Though it is not a rare condition, the lack of awareness on HS has caused many people to live with the disease undiagnosed.
Dana Jimenez, 28, began experiencing painful cysts around her groin after hitting puberty at 10, but she wasn’t diagnosed with HS until adulthood.
“Anywhere from up to 4% of the population in the world has HS,” according to University of Miami assistant professor of clinical physical therapy Dr. David W. Mandel, who is conducting a pilot study to see if exercise can improve patients’ quality of life.
