Does this programme replace medical advice?
No. It arranges existing, general information into a four-week sequence and gives no personal medical advice. Individual questions about diagnosis and treatment belong with your healthcare team.
Newly diagnosed
Your first 30 days after an HS diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) can raise many questions. This four-week programme introduces one topic at a time to help you better understand your condition and prepare for future conversations with your healthcare team.
How this programme works
Reading dozens of pages at once right after a diagnosis can be overwhelming. This programme arranges existing AcneInversa.life content into four calm weeks — one important topic at a time.
You can move at your own pace, mark weeks as done, and pick up later whenever you like. Your progress is stored in this browser only.
About 100 minutes of reading in total across four weeks.
Before you begin
This programme is for general information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It gives no personalised treatment recommendations. Please discuss individual questions with qualified medical professionals.
Your path through the four weeks
The four weeks build on each other but can be read independently. Start wherever feels right for you.
Welcome back. Your progress was saved in this browser.
- Week 1 Understanding Your Diagnosis to do
- Week 2 Preparing for Treatment Discussions to do
- Week 3 Daily Living to do
- Week 4 Looking Ahead to do
Not started yet — begin with Week 1.
Week 1 Understanding Your Diagnosis ✓ done
Learning objective: This week's goal: understand what a diagnosis of Acne Inversa (Hidradenitis Suppurativa) means, why it is often delayed, and the terms that keep coming up in conversations about it.
About 25 min of reading
In this week
- What is HS?
A clear overview of what HS is, how it develops, and how it differs from similar skin problems.
- Why diagnosis can take years
The path to a diagnosis and why HS goes unrecognised for more than seven years on average — that reflects the system, not you.
- Body areas affected and common signs
An illustrated, non-diagnostic guide to common body areas and skin changes — across different skin tones.
- Making sense of symptoms
Typical HS symptoms and why an assessment by a clinician still matters.
- Key glossary terms
A glossary explains terms like “sinus tract”, “Hurley stage”, or “biologic” in plain language.
Week 2 Preparing for Treatment Discussions ✓ done
Learning objective: This week's goal: build an overview of treatment options and prepare so that you can take an active part in your next conversation with your dermatology team.
About 27 min of reading
In this week
- Treatment options overview
From topicals and antibiotics to biologics and surgery — a patient-centred overview of treatment layers and goals.
- What to ask your dermatologist
Preparation, questions, and follow-up for medical appointments — so you walk in with a clear list.
- Tracking your symptoms
Record what you notice over time and build a clearer summary for your next appointment.
- When to seek medical advice
Signs where an assessment should not wait — as calm orientation, not a substitute for medical advice.
- Talking about flares and pain
Information on flares, pain burden, and how to raise these topics with your clinicians.
Week 3 Daily Living ✓ done
Learning objective: This week's goal: find practical perspectives for daily life with HS — from clothing and skin care to emotional wellbeing and support.
About 25 min of reading
In this week
- Living with HS
Honest, practical perspectives on daily routines and self-organisation with HS.
- Clothing, skin care, and daily routines
Everyday topics covered plainly and respectfully: clothing, skin care, work, and movement with HS.
- Mental wellbeing
Why the emotional burden deserves serious attention and where support can begin.
- What diet can and cannot do
What diet may do for HS, what remains unclear, and where claims need caution.
- Stories from other people with HS
Patient stories offer orientation and the reassurance that you are not alone with the condition.
Week 4 Looking Ahead ✓ done
Learning objective: This week's goal: turn towards long-term management — research, clinical trials, community, and reliable sources of information.
About 23 min of reading
In this week
- Long-term management
HS is chronic — this overview frames how treatment goals and daily life work together over time.
- Understanding clinical trials
What clinical trials are, how they work, and which questions make sense before any possible participation.
- Find open studies near you
The trial finder shows recruiting studies within reach of a German postal code — with clear limits and no promise of eligibility.
- Finding specialist care
The directory helps you find dermatology contacts with experience in HS.
- Keep reading reliable sources
The blog gathers source-based, editorially reviewed articles that are updated regularly.
After the four weeks
You now have a stronger foundation for understanding HS. As your questions change over time, AcneInversa.life will continue to support your learning alongside your healthcare team.
Suggested next steps
FAQ
Do I need an account to take part?
No. Your progress is stored only locally in your browser. No data is sent to a server, and you can start over at any time.
Do I have to finish the programme in exactly 30 days?
No. The four weeks are only a suggestion to break the topics into portions. Move at your own pace — faster or slower, whatever suits you.
Who is this programme for?
Mainly for people with a recent HS diagnosis. It can also help if you are re-orienting yourself or supporting a family member.