Cloghane woman calls for openness on skin condition
CLOGHANE woman Stacey O’Connor has called on anyone suffering from Hidradenitis Suppurtiva (HS) not to feel too embarrassed to talk to someone about the chronic skin condition and look for help.
Her words come ahead of an Irish Skin Foundation (ISF) awareness campaign for HS starting on March 6. HS is an incurable autoimmune condition characterised by recurrent, painful nodules; ‘ boil-like’ lumps; or abscesses that can occur in the armpits, groin, perianal area, buttocks, or under the breasts.
Mrs O’Connor (29) said she first experienced symptoms at age 18, in the form of small, marble-like lumps on her groins. The condition now effects her under her breasts and armpits.
“Like many people with HS, it took me a couple of years before I told anyone at all about what I was experiencing. By 19 I first experienced a flare-up of chronic pain. These flare-ups are so sore that sometimes I can’t lift my arms above my shoulders, or I can’t walk for a time.”
Treatment varies from person to person, but early intervention can be helpful in terms of combating the condition’s worst effects.
“I had the condition for two years before saying anything. I have since been referred to the dermatology department at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, where I’ve been receiving treatment” Stacey said.
“I’d encourage anyone to be completely open with their GP so they can take the steps they need to get help.”
The ISF is encouraging those potentially living with the condition to reach out and seek information.
Next week the ISF will launch an online hub dedicated to HS that will include tips on symptom recognition and care. It is hoped the hub, which will be available next week on www.irishskin.ie, will fill an information void that exists for the many people living with HS who may be undiagnosed, as well as those who have lived with HS for many years and may feel isolated by their condition.
The ISF will host two community meetings for people living with HS to encourage discussion and support for people affected by the condition. The first event will take place in Dublin on April 5, with another meeting set for Cork on April 19. Further details at https:// irishskin.ie/events-calendar/.