Clinical conversation for preparing and framing questions.

Could This Be HS? Appointment Pack

Prepare my appointment summary

A few short questions about a recurring pattern, and dated photos are never uploaded here.

Prepare my appointment summary

Answer only what applies to you. Almost every question has an “I am not sure” option — there is no wrong answer here, and nothing is scored.

Step 1 / 9

What kinds of recurring skin changes have happened?

Select whatever fits what you have experienced — there is no right answer.

Which descriptions fit what you have experienced?

Step 2 / 9

Where has this happened?

Select every area that applies.

Where have these skin changes occurred?
Has this happened in the same area more than once?

Step 3 / 9

How often, and over what period?

This is the part clinicians weigh most heavily — but there is still no wrong answer.

Approximately how often has something like this happened?
Have you had at least two episodes during the last six months?

Step 4 / 9

A short timeline

Exact dates are not required — “around 2021” or “teenage years” is completely fine. Add up to five entries.

Entry 1 (optional)

Entry 2 (optional)

Entry 3 (optional)

Entry 4 (optional)

Entry 5 (optional)

Step 5 / 9

What have previous clinicians called these problems?

Optional — this only records what you recall being told, not what is correct.

What have healthcare professionals previously called these problems? (optional)

Step 6 / 9

What treatment has already happened?

Optional. This tool never suggests what treatment should have been used.

Which of these have already happened? (optional)

Step 7 / 9

Do you have dated photos?

Nothing is uploaded here — this only records whether you may want to bring your own photos.

Do you have dated photos from previous episodes that you may want to show your clinician?

Photos can contain highly sensitive health information. This tool does not need or upload your photos. If you choose to take photographs for your own medical appointments, keep them somewhere you consider appropriately private.

Step 8 / 9

Effect on daily life

Optional — during the worst episodes, not necessarily today.

During the worst episodes, did this affect any of the following? (optional)

Step 9 / 9

What is your main question for this appointment?

Optional. Choose the one that fits best — you can change it any time.

What would you most like answered at this appointment? (optional)

Pattern I want to discuss with a clinician

This summary was prepared by you. It does not diagnose hidradenitis suppurativa or any other condition — everything below comes from your own answers.

Answer a question above to start building your summary.

There is no share link. Nothing you build here is ever given a URL.

Works fully offline once the page has loaded.

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Back to the guide

Evidence & review

Last reviewed: · Next review due:

This hub reflects current European HS diagnostic guidance, which frames diagnosis as a clinical judgement built on recurrent lesions, typical locations and recurrence over time — and published evidence on how long HS diagnosis is typically delayed.

The interactive tool itself contains no medical claims to review: it only stores the reader's own selections and free text, and echoes them back.

Read our editorial policy

Diagnosis Guide What actually counts toward an HS diagnosis, and how it's told apart from other conditions. Symptoms of Acne Inversa Lesion types, typical body locations and the less visible symptoms this pack draws on. What HS Can Look Like A visual guide across skin tones and presentations — images alone cannot diagnose HS either. Find an HS Specialist Search this site's specialist directory for someone to bring this summary to. HS Symptom Tracker Once a pattern is being investigated or confirmed, a 30-second daily log for what comes next.

Sources

  1. S2k guideline on the diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa / acne inversa AWMF guideline register (Germany) · Checked: 2026-08-31
  2. Delayed diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa — the published literature PubMed, US National Library of Medicine · Checked: 2026-08-31
  3. Diagnostic delay in hidradenitis suppurativa — systematic review Australasian Journal of Dermatology · Checked: 2026-08-31
  4. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Diagnosis and treatment Mayo Clinic · Checked: 2026-08-31