You are more likely to get lupus or another autoimmune disease if you have hidradenitis suppurativa. However, specialists are divided on the validity of the link between the two illnesses.
You are more likely to get lupus or another autoimmune disease if you have hidradenitis suppurativa. However, specialists are divided on the validity of the link between the two illnesses.
The specific cause of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is unknown, but it is frequently associated with autoimmune illnesses such as lupus. Autoimmune illnesses develop when your immune system incorrectly attacks healthy cells in your body.
Here’s a closer look at the possible connections between HS, lupus, and other autoimmune illnesses.
The connection between HS and Lupus
Over 16% of those identified with HS in a 2022 studyTrusted Source had an autoimmune condition, most commonly lupus, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel disease. According to the scientists, this rate of autoimmune disease is higher than in the general population.
However, it is unknown if people with HS are more likely to acquire lupus or other autoimmune illnesses. It’s likely that the two ailments share risk factors, or that specific autoimmune disease treatments enhance the chance of HS. More research is needed to properly comprehend the connection between the two.
Is Huntington’s disease an autoimmune disease?
Technically, HS is not an autoimmune illness, but new study may change that.
According to the same 2022 study, some persons with HS have autoantibodies, which are antibodies that fight proteins in your body rather than viruses, germs, and other potentially hazardous organisms.
Autoantibodies are commonly associated with autoimmune disorders, leading researchers to speculate that an autoimmune mechanism may be at work in HS. However, the presence of autoantibodies in some persons with HS is insufficient to characterize the disease as autoimmune.
The authors also point out that biologics, a class of medications that target your immune system’s inflammatory response, are occasionally used to treat both HS and autoimmune illnesses.
This does not necessarily imply that HS is an autoimmune disease, but it lends credence to the idea that there is a relationship between HS and autoimmune diseases.
When should you see a doctor?
It’s unknown whether having HS raises your risk of acquiring lupus. If you have HS and are experiencing lupus symptoms, you should consult with a doctor. It may be especially beneficial to consult with a rheumatologist, a type of specialist that specializes in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Lupus symptoms may include:
muscle ache, joint pain, a red, butterfly-shaped rash on your nose and cheeks, and hair loss
mouth ulcers
heightened sensitivity to light chest discomfort
anemia
eyes that are dry or irritated
forgetfulness
In conclusion
People with HS are more likely than the general population to be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, such as lupus. Experts aren’t sure why this happens, despite a few possibilities.
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