Because hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is often mistaken for an infection, a long delay in diagnosis is not uncommon.1 Dermatologists typically assess the signs and symptoms of HS on a scale - these categories are developed from a clinical measure of severity called the Hurley scale:1,2
Single or a few isolated boils without sinus tracts (narrow channels that form under the skin and break out on the surface) or scarring1,2,8
Recurring boils in single or multiple areas with scarring and sinus tracts1,2
Widespread boils with multiple interconnected tracts across the affected area1,2