Genevieve

When I was twelve my dad took me to his doctor to find out what these boils were in my groin area. He told me that it must have been a bacteria I was spreading from touching my nose. That was when I was about 12 years old. Today I’m 32 and I’ve never been diagnosed or treated for Hs. I’ve always been too embarrassed and ashamed to show doctors or ask their advice. I self diagnosed about 6 years ago and when I could actually put a name to this condition, I felt a huge sense of relief, but then I found out that there is no cure for HS. I remember seeing pictures of this condition and being so afraid of what might happen. I consider myself very lucky not to suffer too badly but my whole heart goes out to those that do. My latest encounter was with a gynecologist during a routine Pap smear and I mentioned it to her. She just shrugged her shoulders and while busy doing their checks on me, she said yes, it’s just ingrown hairs’. Right there I stopped and didn’t mention it again. The medical practitioners need to get educated about this condition in order to help all those suffering with it. It’s a condition that causes excruciating pain and makes daily life very difficult.