Every month we will be featuring a story based on the views and experiences of a HS sufferer. If you would like to tell the world how HS has affected your life, then send us your story to mystory@ba-hs.org.uk.
(Unfortunetly we cannot guarantee that every story will be published. Stories will be published as told.)

This Month - 22 Year old Kay Wright tells of her feelings about HS.

I'm 22 and have been suffering from HS for more than half my life. I first exhibited symptoms when I was about 10 or 11 and have been misdiagnosed many, many times every year. I only discovered what the real issue was about a year ago. It was a relief to finally understand what was happening to me.

The pain is incredible and affects every aspect of my life. I have no body confidence and can't wear anything without sleeves because i'm so ashamed of the scars under my arms. It has recently come to the point where living with HS is almost unbearable. I'm constantly on medication for it and the pain has become so frequent that it's a part of daily life. My underarm skin is so fragile now that it rips with very little incentive.

Although I hate the fact that so many people, like me, have to suffer with HS it's almost a relief to know i'm not the only one. I hope that there will be more research into the condition and that more effective treatments become available.