Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) (literally meaning a purulent infection of sweat glands) is a confusing chronic skin disease with associations to inflammatory bowel disease. It affects about 1% of the population, with onset in the teens or 20 s. Women are affected more commonly than men, about a third of patients have a family history of HS, and risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and living in a hot climate play roles in the presentation.