# Acne Inversa and Hidradenitis Suppurativa: What's the Difference?

Canonical URL: https://www.acneinversa.life/en/blog/acne-inversa-vs-hidradenitis-suppurativa/
Markdown URL: https://www.acneinversa.life/en/blog/acne-inversa-vs-hidradenitis-suppurativa.md
Plain text URL: https://www.acneinversa.life/en/blog/acne-inversa-vs-hidradenitis-suppurativa.txt
Language: en
Category: Basics
Published: 2026-07-18
Last updated: 2026-07-18
Last editorially reviewed: 2026-07-18
Next scheduled review: 2027-07-18

Author: Dr. rer. nat. Dennis Alexander Kwiatkowski (Biochemist, Scientific Writer and Pharma Expert)
Scientific editor: Dr. rer. nat. Dennis Alexander Kwiatkowski
Reviewer qualifications: Biochemist, Scientific Writer and Pharma Expert
Review scope: Scientific literature, clinical guidelines, sources, and editorial clarity
Clinical reviewer: No independent clinical review
Tags: Acne Inversa, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, HS, Basics, acne inversa, hidradenitis suppurativa, terminology, HS meaning, diagnosis

> Acne Inversa and Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) are two names for the same chronic inflammatory skin condition. Here you'll learn why both terms exist, which one doctors use today, and what that means for your diagnosis.

Medical disclaimer: This website is for general educational information only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak with qualified medical professionals about symptoms or treatment decisions.

## Article

**In short: Acne Inversa and Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) are two names for the same chronic inflammatory skin condition.** "Hidradenitis Suppurativa" is now the preferred medical term in most international guidelines, but many doctors, patients, and websites – including this one – continue to use "Acne Inversa." If you've been given either of these two names, you have not received two different diagnoses.

## Why does the condition have two names?

The condition has been known by several names since it was first described in the 19th century. "Hidradenitis suppurativa" describes what was originally suspected at the tissue level – an inflammation of the sweat glands ("hidradenitis") with the formation of pus ("suppurativa"). "Acne inversa" was added later and reflects the observation that, like acne, the condition affects the hair follicles, but in an "inverse" distribution: instead of the face, chest, and back – the typical sites of common acne – it appears in skin folds such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts.

Later research has shown that HS does not actually originate in the sweat glands and is not a form of acne either – it is a distinct autoinflammatory condition of the hair follicle. Biologically speaking, neither historical name is entirely accurate, but both have remained in use because renaming an established diagnostic term throughout the entire healthcare system takes years – and patients, practices, and researchers were already familiar with the existing terms.

## Which name do doctors use today?

Most current international guidelines and medical societies have shifted toward "Hidradenitis suppurativa" as the primary term, and this name is also used in clinical trial registrations and drug approvals. At the same time, "Acne Inversa" has not disappeared – the term remains more common in parts of Europe, especially in German-speaking regions, and continues to appear in guideline titles, patient organizations, and everyday clinical practice. The 2024 European S2k treatment guideline, for example, is titled "Therapy of Hidradenitis suppurativa / Acne inversa" – precisely to make clear that both names refer to the same condition.

In practice, this means you may come across either name – or both together – depending on where you're being treated, which specialist you see, and which generation of medical training that person is familiar with. Neither term is outdated or "wrong"; they are simply two names for a condition for which a single, universally agreed-upon name has not yet been established.

## Do both names appear on medical documents?

Yes, and it's good to know this before it takes you by surprise. For example, you may encounter:

- **Referral letters** using the term the general practitioner or dermatologist learned first
- **Clinical or insurance records** that use a different term for billing purposes than the one used in the clinical notes
- **Research papers and study registries**, which overwhelmingly use "Hidradenitis suppurativa"
- **Support groups, forums, and patient organizations** – especially in Europe – that use "Acne Inversa" in their name or communications

If a document, letter, or search result uses a different term than you expected, that alone is not a cause for concern. It is entirely reasonable to ask your care team directly whether "Acne Inversa" and "Hidradenitis Suppurativa" refer to the same diagnosis in your case – simply for your own peace of mind.

## Does the name change anything about treatment?

No. The terminology does not change your diagnosis, staging, or the evidence-based treatment options available to you. Whether your chart says "Acne Inversa," "Hidradenitis Suppurativa," or "HS," the same clinical criteria, severity scales, and treatment pathways apply. A different name used by a practice or clinic is an administrative or historical detail, not a sign that anything about your care has changed.

## Why AcneInversa.life continues to use the name Acne Inversa

We use "Acne Inversa" as our primary brand name because it remains the name that patients, family members, and caregivers most commonly know when searching for information about this condition – especially in the European context. At the same time, our editorial content consistently also uses "Hidradenitis Suppurativa" and "HS," because this term is increasingly the standard in current research, specialist care, and international guidelines. We want people to recognize both names immediately – regardless of which one led them here or which one appears on their own records.

## The comparison at a glance

| Acne Inversa | Hidradenitis Suppurativa |
|---|---|
| Older, historically common name | Preferred term in current research and clinical practice |
| Still widely used, especially in Europe | Increasingly used in international guidelines and approvals |
| Same chronic inflammatory condition | Same chronic inflammatory condition |

This table is meant for quick orientation, not diagnosis. If anything about your own diagnosis or records is unclear, ask your care team directly – that is a completely reasonable question to ask.

---

Now that you know both names refer to the same condition, learn [how the diagnosis of HS works](/en/blog/hidradenitis-suppurativa-diagnosis-what-to-expect/), or use the [diagnosis guide](/en/hub/diagnosis-guide/) for more comprehensive guidance.

## FAQ

### Is Acne Inversa the same as HS?

Yes. Acne Inversa and Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) are two names for the same chronic inflammatory condition affecting the hair follicles in skin fold areas such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts. Neither name refers to a different or milder condition – the diagnosis, disease course, and treatment options are identical in both cases.

### Why did my dermatologist use a different name than I expected?

Doctors use different terms. Many today say "Hidradenitis suppurativa" because this term predominates in current international research and guidelines, while others – especially in German-speaking regions – continue to say "Acne Inversa," out of habit or because patients are already familiar with this name. Both refer to exactly the same diagnosis.

### Which term should I search for online?

It's best to search for both. "Acne Inversa" and "Hidradenitis Suppurativa" sometimes lead to different articles, forums, and support groups, even though they describe the same condition. Using both terms – and additionally the abbreviation "HS" – gives you a more complete picture of the available information.

### Why do older articles use the term Acne Inversa?

"Acne Inversa" was the more commonly used term in older dermatological literature and continues to be widely used in Europe, especially in German-speaking regions. As international guidelines have increasingly settled on "Hidradenitis suppurativa" in recent years, newer publications favor this term – but older materials have not been retroactively updated.

### Which name is used in medical research?

"Hidradenitis suppurativa" is now the predominant term in peer-reviewed studies, clinical trial registries, and drug approvals (the approved biologics, for example, are approved for "Hidradenitis suppurativa"). Key guidelines, including the European S2k guideline, mention both names together to make clear that they refer to a single condition.

## References

1. Hidradenitis suppurativa - MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
2. Hidradenitis suppurativa overview - American Academy of Dermatology
3. S2k guideline on the therapy of Hidradenitis suppurativa / Acne inversa - AWMF, 2024 - https://register.awmf.org/assets/guidelines/013-012l_S2k_Therapie-Hidradenitis-suppurativa-Acne-inversa_2024-08.pdf
4. North American clinical management guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa, Part I - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2019 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30872156/