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Living with HS (hidradenitis suppurativa) can feel overwhelming enough on its own. But what if the symptoms you’re dealing with aren’t just about your skin?
What many people don’t realize is that HS may be connected to other health issues happening beneath the surface—some of which your doctor might not even be looking for. And that can leave you missing important clues about what your body is trying to tell you.
The good news is that emerging research is starting to paint a much bigger picture of what causes HS and how it may be linked to things like autoimmune conditions, gut health, and even metabolic changes.
In this article, we’ll explore these surprising connections so you can better understand your HS symptoms, ask more informed questions, and take a more proactive approach to your health.
Because when you can see the full picture, you’re in a much stronger position to do something about it.
Especially when hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that may be associated with immune, metabolic, and systemic health issues.
What Conditions Are Associated With HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa)?
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has been linked to several other health conditions, including:
- Autoimmune-related conditions like Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Thyroid disorders (including hyperthyroidism)
- Metabolic and liver conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Gout (increased risk of uric acid buildup in joints)
These connections suggest that HS is not just a skin condition, but may involve systemic inflammation and immune dysfunction.
Keep reading below for the FULL article!
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In This Episode:
- What if HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) isn’t just a skin condition?
- The hidden health connections to HS your doctor might not be watching for
- Could your HS symptoms be linked to autoimmune or gut issues?
- The surprising conditions associated with HS that no one talks about
- Is there more to what causes HS than we’ve been told?
- Why looking beyond HS symptoms could change your treatment approach
Quotes
“One study found a 1.34 times higher risk of developing gout within five years of an HS diagnosis.”
“People with HS have a higher likelihood of developing certain autoimmune-related conditions.”
Links
Healthy Skin Show ep. 385: Hidradenitis Suppurativa Diet: Can It Really Stop The Painful Skin Boils?
Healthy Skin Show ep. 103: Hidradenitis Suppurativa: The Tip That Stopped My Flares
Association between Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Gout: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study
Association of hidradenitis suppurativa and liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Exploring the Association Between Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Hyperthyroidism
Thyroid disorders in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
414: What Causes HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa)? The Hidden Links Most People Miss
If you have HS (hidradenitis suppurativa), you may have wondered… is it just a skin condition? Or could something deeper be going on?
This is an important question—especially because many of the connections to HS aren’t always on your doctor’s radar. And that means it often falls on you to notice when something else might be off.
The good news? Once you know what to look for, you can take action sooner—before things turn into a much bigger problem.
What Is HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) and What Causes It?
When we talk about HS symptoms, most people think about painful lumps, flares, and skin irritation.
But hidradenitis suppurativa may go far beyond the skin.
While we don’t fully understand what causes HS, research suggests it may involve immune dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and deeper systemic imbalances. And that’s where things start to get really interesting.
The truth is – HS is already a lot to deal with.
It can be painful, frustrating, and deeply disruptive to daily life. The last thing you need is another health issue quietly developing in the background.
But emerging research shows that HS (hidradenitis suppurativa) is connected to multiple systems in the body—some of which may increase your risk for additional conditions.
This isn’t about fear.
It’s about awareness.
Because when you understand what may be happening beneath the surface, you’re in a much better position to advocate for yourself and explore the right hidradenitis suppurativa treatment options.
What’s the Connection Between HS and Autoimmune Disease?
Many people assume that if you have one chronic condition, you’re likely to develop others across the board.
But HS doesn’t follow that pattern exactly.
Research shows that people with hidradenitis suppurativa have a higher likelihood of developing certain autoimmune-related conditions, including:
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Lupus
At the same time, there are other autoimmune conditions where the risk is actually lower.
That’s what makes HS so interesting—it doesn’t behave the way we might expect.
One key takeaway? If you notice symptoms like joint pain or inflammation outside of typical HS symptoms, it’s worth digging deeper.
To make this really easy for you, here is a great chart I created based on the research I found connecting HS and your risk of other autoimmune conditions.
Is There A Link Between HS and Gout?
Here’s something most people don’t associate with HS (hidradenitis suppurativa)—gout.
Research suggests that people with HS may have a higher risk of developing gout, a condition where uric acid crystals build up in the joints and cause significant pain.
In fact, one study found a 1.34 times higher risk of developing gout within five years of an HS diagnosis.
This doesn’t mean you need to panic or assume the worst.
But it does mean that if new symptoms show up—especially joint-related—it’s worth paying attention and exploring what might be going on beneath the surface.
What Your Liver Might Be Telling You
Your liver plays a key role in metabolism, detoxification, and inflammation.
And research shows a connection between hidradenitis suppurativa and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Even more interesting?
The severity of liver issues may actually correlate with the severity of HS.
There are also changes in inflammatory signals and metabolic markers that suggest the liver is very much part of the bigger picture.
This is one reason why looking beyond surface-level HS treatment approaches can be so valuable.
The HS-Thyroid Connection: Still Unfolding
When it comes to thyroid health, the relationship with HS (hidradenitis suppurativa) is still evolving.
Some research suggests a higher prevalence of thyroid disorders—especially hyperthyroidism—in people with HS.
Other studies show a general increase in thyroid dysfunction overall.
So while we may not have all the answers yet about what causes HS in relation to the thyroid, there’s enough evidence to suggest it’s worth paying attention.
Don’t Overlook the Gut-Skin Hidradenitis Suppurativa Link
This is where things get especially compelling when it comes to connecting HS and gut health.
Hidradenitis suppurativa has been linked to inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
And in some cases, more severe HS is associated with more active gut disease.
This highlights an important truth:
The body doesn’t operate in silos.
Your gut, skin, immune system, and metabolism are all connected. And understanding these connections can open the door to more effective, whole-body hidradenitis suppurativa treatment strategies.
What This Means for Your HS Treatment Approach
When it comes to HS treatment, most conventional approaches focus on managing flares and symptoms.
And while that’s important, it may not tell the whole story.
If HS is connected to other systems in the body, then a more comprehensive approach—one that considers inflammation, metabolism, and immune health—may be worth exploring.
Because managing HS symptoms is one thing.
Understanding what’s driving them is another.
Here’s the reality:
Not every doctor is trained to look for these connections.
Healthcare is often siloed, and that can leave gaps in care.
So sometimes, the person who has to connect the dots… is you.
And that’s not a burden—it’s an opportunity.
Because when you understand your body and speak up early, you can often prevent small issues from turning into something much bigger.
The truth is that HS is already enough to manage.
You don’t need another “five-alarm fire” added to the mix.
But by staying curious, informed, and proactive, you give yourself the best chance at catching issues early—and finding the right hidradenitis suppurativa treatment path for you.
And that’s a powerful place to be.
Now I’d love to hear from you – Leave your comments and thoughts below!
Do you have any of these conditions in addition to HS? Have you suspected that hidradenitis suppurativa could be connected to other health issues? Did your doctor ever warn you about this?
Key Takeaways on HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) and Related Conditions
- HS (hidradenitis suppurativa) is linked to multiple systemic conditions
- The strongest associations include autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
- Liver, thyroid, and gut health may all play a role
- Early awareness can help prevent more serious complications
- A whole-body approach to HS treatment may be beneficial
Frequently Asked Questions About HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa)
What causes HS (hidradenitis suppurativa)?
The exact cause of HS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve immune system dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and possibly hormonal and metabolic factors.
Is hidradenitis suppurativa an autoimmune disease?
HS is not classified as a traditional autoimmune disease, but it is associated with immune system dysregulation and shares features with several autoimmune conditions.
What conditions are linked to HS?
HS is associated with conditions like Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, thyroid disorders, liver disease, and gout.
What are common HS symptoms?
Common HS symptoms include painful lumps, abscesses, tunneling under the skin, and recurring flares in areas like the armpits, groin, and under the breasts.
What are hidradenitis suppurativa treatment options?
HS treatment may include medications, lifestyle changes, and addressing underlying inflammation or related conditions. I have a bunch of resources to help HS (especially from a root cause perspective) HERE.
