Please login or create an account. If you do not have access to this content, you will be shown a 30 second preview and licensing options.
- Presentation
Wound Care for Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Description
The session on wound care for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) highlighted the importance of managing chronic wounds effectively alongside medical, social, and surgical treatments. The speaker emphasized that while dressing choices are crucial in wound care, bad dressings can worsen the situation for patients. Effective wound management includes understanding the types of dressings available, such as superabsorbent, calcium alginate, and foam dressings, tailored to the specific needs of HS wounds, which often present as draining and tunneling lesions. The discussion illustrated how optimal dressing selection can significantly improve patients' quality of life and reduce pain during dressing changes. Additionally, the talk touched on innovative approaches to treating HS wounds, suggesting that they may not just represent a skin defect, but rather a pathological state that can be managed without surgery through techniques like flushing the tunnel with antimicrobial gel. Preliminary data from studies indicated promising outcomes for wound healing and overall patient wellbeing. The session concluded by encouraging practitioners to remain engaged in ongoing research and treatment improvements while underscoring the value of patient education and awareness in managing HS.
View moreConclusions
- Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) requires a comprehensive treatment approach, involving medical, social, and surgical interventions.
- Wound care plays a critical role in managing HS, as the choice of dressing can significantly impact patient outcomes.
- Quality of life for HS patients improves with proper wound dressing, as demonstrated by a reduction in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores.
- There is currently no definitive evidence supporting a single type of dressing as optimal for HS wounds due to the dynamic nature of the disease.
- Moderately to heavily draining wounds should be managed with absorptive dressings, such as superabsorbent and gelling fiber options, to prevent pain and promote healing.
- Routine and post-surgical care recommendations highlight the importance of atraumatic techniques to minimize pain during dressing changes.
- The presence of infection and skin fold friction are critical considerations in choosing appropriate dressings for HS.
- Recent studies suggest that local anti-biofilm treatments may address unresolved HS wounds and improve healing by restoring microbial diversity and reducing inflammation.
- Surgical interventions for HS can lead to favorable outcomes through healing by secondary intention, avoiding unnecessary scarring.
- Wounds in HS may represent more than just openings in the skin, presenting an opportunity for targeted therapeutic approaches to improve patient care.
- Lev-Tov H. Wound dressings improve quality of life for hidradenitis suppurativa patients. JAAD American Academy of Dermatology, Research Letter | Articles in Press.
- Humphries L. S., Kueberuwa E., Beederman M., Gottlieb L. J. Wide excision and healing by secondary intent for the surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: A single-center experience. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2016;69:554-566.
- Aarabi S., Gurtner G. C. Why secondary intent heals nicely? FASEB Journal. 2007.
- Chopra D., Lev-Tov H. Wound care for patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Recommendations of an international panel of experts. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023 Dec;89(6):1289-1292.
- Weigelt K., Lev-Tov H. Novel ABWG may be a safe and effective way to resolve tunneling HS wounds. Ital J Dermatol Venerol. 2021.
- Ge S., Orbay H., Silverman R. P. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Instillation and Dwell Time in the Surgical Management of Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Cureus. 2018;10(9):e3319. doi:10.7759/cureus.3319.
- JOURNAL OF WOUND CARE VOL 31, NO 11, NOVEMBER 2022.