Verneuil Expertise
Verneuil’s disease
Hidradenitis suppurativa (Verneuil’s disease): understanding the disease and knowing who to see
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), known in France as Verneuil’s disease, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It causes painful nodules and abscesses, mainly in the large folds of the body. In France, it affects about 1 to 1.5% of the population and the diagnosis is made about 8 years after the first symptoms.
1 to 1.5%
of the French population is affected [2]
8 years
approximately, between the first symptoms and diagnosis [2]
3 to 1
sex ratio: the disease affects women more often [sheet]
All the key figures, with their sources
This information does not replace a medical consultation. Last updated: .
What should you remember about hidradenitis suppurativa?
- Hidradenitis suppurativa, or Verneuil’s disease, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
- It causes painful nodules and abscesses that keep coming back, mainly in the armpits, the groin, the perineal area and under the breasts.
- It is not contagious and poor hygiene is not a cause of it [Pasteur].
- It affects about 1 to 1.5% of the French population [2].
- It most often starts from puberty onwards and before the age of 40, and affects women more often (sex ratio of 3 to 1).
- The diagnosis is made about 8 years after the first symptoms [2]. It is based on an examination of the skin by a doctor.
- If you have nodules or abscesses that keep coming back in the folds of the body, you can see your general practitioner (GP) or a dermatologist.
Preparing for your appointment
A short questionnaire helps you note down your symptoms and get a summary to show your doctor. It does not make a diagnosis: only a doctor can do that.
What will you find on this website?
The information is organised into six sections.
- The disease Definition, contagion, how common it is, age at onset, causes and key figures.
- Symptoms and diagnosis The lesions, the areas affected, the Hurley stages and the diagnostic criteria.
- Treatments General measures, local care, antibiotics, biologic therapies and surgery.
- Living with it The impact on daily life, on work and on mood, and the associated conditions.
- Seeing a doctor Which doctor to see, how to prepare for your appointment and how to find a dermatologist.
- Sources and method Where the information on this website comes from and how to cite it.
Frequently asked questions about hidradenitis suppurativa
Here are short answers to the most frequently asked questions about hidradenitis suppurativa (Verneuil’s disease).
What is hidradenitis suppurativa?
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), known in France as Verneuil’s disease, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is characterised by painful nodules and abscesses that can discharge pus, form fistulas and leave scars. The lesions appear mainly in the large folds of the body: armpits, groin, perineal area and the folds under the breasts.
What are the first symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa?
The first symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa are painful nodules and abscesses that keep coming back in the folds of the body. They mainly affect the armpits, the groin, the perineal area, the buttocks and the folds under the breasts. The fact that they come back is an important sign: the diagnostic criteria include at least 2 flare-ups in 6 months.
Is hidradenitis suppurativa contagious?
No. Hidradenitis suppurativa is not contagious and poor hygiene is not a cause of it, according to the Institut Pasteur. It should not be regarded as an infectious disease: bacteria are present in the lesions and are thought to play a part in the progression of the disease, but they are not thought to be its cause.
Is hidradenitis suppurativa common?
Hidradenitis suppurativa affects about 1% of the world population. Its prevalence is about 1 to 1.5% in the French population and 1 to 4% in the European population, according to the summary sheet “Maladie de Verneuil – Épidémiologie” (SNFCP, 2024).
At what age does hidradenitis suppurativa start?
Hidradenitis suppurativa most often starts from puberty onwards and before the age of 40. It affects women more often, with a sex ratio of 3 to 1. It is rare in children before puberty, but cases have been reported.
How long does it take to get a diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa?
The time between the first symptoms and the medical diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa is about 8 years, according to the R-ENS Verneuil study (2018). The diagnosis is clinical: it is based on what the lesions look like, where they are and the fact that they come back, and no sample needs to be taken.
Which doctor should you see for hidradenitis suppurativa?
You can see your general practitioner (GP) or a dermatologist if you have nodules or abscesses that keep coming back in the folds of the body. The Reso-dermatologie directory (in France) lets you search for dermatologists by disease, including hidradenitis suppurativa. This website does not make a diagnosis and does not book appointments.
Is hidradenitis suppurativa hereditary?
Hidradenitis suppurativa has a degree of genetic predisposition: a family history is found in about 1/3 of cases. It remains a multifactorial disease, in which an inflammatory imbalance and environmental factors such as smoking and being overweight also play a part.
Can hidradenitis suppurativa be cured?
There is currently no treatment that guarantees a permanent cure for hidradenitis suppurativa. However, the disease can often be better controlled with appropriate medical follow-up. Treatments depend on how severe the disease is and on its impact on daily life, and are decided with a doctor.
What is this website for?
This website explains hidradenitis suppurativa (Verneuil’s disease) in simple words, for patients and their families. The figures come from a summary sheet written by doctors (SNFCP, 2024) and are quoted with their source. This information does not replace a medical consultation.
What are the sources for this page?
The facts and figures on this page come from the summary sheet “Maladie de Verneuil – Épidémiologie” (SNFCP, 2024) and the studies it cites. Exception: the points marked [Pasteur], which come from the Institut Pasteur disease fact sheet.
[sheet] Ezanno AC, Fougerousse AC, Alam A. Maladie de Verneuil – Épidémiologie. Diplôme inter-universitaire de proctologie médicochirurgicale, SNFCP, 2024.
[Pasteur] Institut Pasteur. Maladie de Verneuil : symptômes, traitement, prévention. Disease fact sheet, updated in January 2026. Read the fact sheet on pasteur.fr (in French)
Studies cited by the summary sheet and used on this page, with their original number:
- Loget J, Saint-Martin C, Guillem P, Kanagaratnam L, Becherel PA, Nassif A, et al. [Misdiagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa continues to be a major issue. The R-ENS Verneuil study]. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2018 May;145(5):331–8. Search on PubMed
Each section has its own list of sources. All the sources for this website and how to cite it: Sources and method.