Did I get HS because I don’t shower enough?

Answered by Eva Taub

No, and I want to be unambiguous about that because I know how much shame this myth causes. This is one of the most damaging and common misconceptions about Hidradenitis Suppurativa. HS is an inflammatory condition involving blocked, inflamed hair follicles and an aggressive immune response — it is not caused by poor hygiene, and no amount of washing prevents or cures it. Many people carry real shame around this myth for years before learning it isn’t accurate. If you have HS, it deserves the same medical seriousness as any other chronic inflammatory condition.