Advice

Hidradenitis suppurativa: hard to pronounce, hard to live with, and hard to treat

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER — No one knows for sure what exactly causes HS. One theory is that HS is the result of an abnormality in hair follicles. HS tends to occur when hair follicles become blocked, leading to a clogged hair follicle. When the follicle is blocked, pressure builds up in the follicle, causing a rupture and leakage to the sides of the follicle, deep into the skin. The leakage produces a response by the immune system to the material in the skin. The immune response is in the form of inflammation.

Published

7 years ago

March 31, 2019

Oakland Post

Dr. Charles Crutchfield III MD

Dr. Crutchfield, my cousin had a skin problem where she developed pimples in sensitive areas that would get bigger, become painful, turn into boils and break. The areas would smell bad. She saw a dermatologist and was diagnosed with a condition called “hidradenitis suppurativa.” What is hidradenitis suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that may be caused by an inappropriate response of the body’s immune system.

No one knows for sure what exactly causes HS. One theory is that HS is the result of an abnormality in hair follicles. HS tends to occur when hair follicles become blocked, leading to a clogged hair follicle. When the follicle is blocked, pressure builds up in the follicle, causing a rupture and leakage to the sides of the follicle, deep into the skin. The leakage produces a response by the immune system to the material in the skin. The immune response is in the form of inflammation.

This cycle can repeat itself over and over and in many areas, producing a chronic medical condition. The lesions of HS appear as boils in the skin. The medical term for a boil is an abscess. The abscesses of HS can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Mild: This means a single abscess or a few abscesses that don’t connect or drain. They can be very painful.
Moderate: Commonly, several abscesses are widely separated. These are painful. They may connect and drain with pus and blood.
Severe: Multiple abscesses that are close together and cover large areas. These are painful and drain profusely. The common areas are the scalp, on the neck, around the ears, under the arms, under the breasts, in the groin, and on the backside. These areas coincide closely with hair-bearing areas.

HS starts as pimples in sensitive hair-bearing areas that enlarge and turn into large abscesses that can be extremely painful, connect and rupture, and smell foul. The connection between abscesses is called a sinus tract.

HS is an inflammatory skin disease. It is a chronic medical condition, meaning it lasts for a long time, maybe even a lifetime. Some people mistakenly think that HS is an infection. It is not an infection, but is actually a malfunction of one’s immune system.

There are a lot of misconceptions about HS. Here are some other things you should know:

HS is not the fault of the person who has it.
HS is not transmitted sexually.
HS is not caused by poor personal hygiene.
HS is not contagious.

What are the symptoms of HS?

The lesions of HS are boils or abscesses. They form under the skin in areas where hair grows and the skin may rub together. They are painful and fill with pus and blood. When they get big, the lesions can rupture and release a very foul-smelling fluid. The amount of fluid produced can be quite significant, and in severe cases they can drain all day long, causing the person to have to wear absorbent pads in the areas that need to be changed often.

Larger regions can connect by tunnels in the skin known as fistulas or sinus tracts. Over time some areas can form scars, and new areas can form. The constant drainage of bad-smelling drainage can lead to a foul odor that travels with the affected person.

As one could imagine, the condition is terribly embarrassing and can interfere or prevent normal personal social interactions, leading to an inferior quality of life. As a result, many dermatologists believe that HS is one of the very worst skin diseases to have.

In some cases, HS may temporarily subside, but it often comes back. It may start out as mild but rapidly progress to severe. Being overweight and smoking are two factors that can be managed and have an impact on the severity and progression of the disease.

Treatment

Physicians will recommend smoking cessation and weight reduction. In addition, these treatments are available:

Antibiotics (as anti-inflammatories, not to treat infection)
Steroids
Surgery
Hormone therapy
Immunosuppressant medications
Biologic medications

HS can be devastating for self-esteem and lead to profound depression. If HS is impacting social relationships, self-esteem, and/or depression, it is important to talk to experts in the fields of mental and sexual health. It also may be helpful to join a support group so you can share feelings and information with other people who have HS.

For stubborn or severe cases, you should visit a dermatologist who specializes in HS. These dermatologists are medical doctors who have experience in diagnosing and treating inflammatory conditions of the skin. They understand what you’re going through and can recommend treatment options that are appropriate for you.

There are good treatments for HS, and no one should have to suffer from this terrible condition. Fortunately, there is an FDA-approved biologic treatment (named ‘adalimumab’) for HS.

To find a dermatologist who specializes in the treatment of HS and for a list of national support groups to join, visit www.noBSaboutHS.com.

This article originally appeared in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

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Activism

Six Months in, Probate Reform Coalition Marks Progress in Protecting Elders From Financial Abuse

Despite the cited obstacles, NPRC has made some promising inroads towards their mission. NPRC has identified that nationwide the Attorneys General must be engaged and encouraged to implement oversight, protection and enforcement of the law; members find support from each other as they advocate for redress via “letters of compassion” sent to judges, nursing facilities and law enforcement agencies and members are instructed on their rights, how to take constructive action to protect those rights through access to resources that allow them to intelligently represent themselves in court.

Published

5 days ago

June 24, 2026

Oakland Post

NPRC member Stewart E. Handte, a former Mineral County, Nevada, Sheriff and 27-year veteran of police work, currently wears an ankle monitor after he was arrested on kidnapping charges for helping his friend, Roger Hilligus, remove Hilligus’ mother, Susan Hilligus, from a nursing facility after finding her bruised and neglected. NPRC has submitted a “Letter of Compassion” for both Handte and Hilligus requesting that charges be dropped. Courtesy photo.

By Tanya Dennis

The National Probate Reform Coalition, a loose-knit national coalition of advocates, victims, and families dedicated to protecting elder rights, especially within the probate court system, was formed by the Post Newspaper Group (PNG) after more than a decade of reporting on the mistreatment of elders and the plunder of their estates.

In response, PNG Publisher Paul Cobb set in motion a series of monthly town halls to address the problem and propose workable solutions, designating it a “year of action.”

At six months, the coalition has attracted families, advocates, and experts across the nation whose strategies have proven effective in their respective states, and who are moving forward collectively with the mission of engaging judicial, legislative, and enforcement agencies to ensure elders are not exploited or abused.

“The issue of elder abuse is multi-layered”, says NPRC planning committee member Venus Gist. “Elders are our most vulnerable population, next to children, and they are easily exploited by strangers, their own family members, and the judicial system designed to protect them.”

Since January, NPRC has, via monthly virtual meetings held on the first Thursday of each month, clearly defined the issues and formulated workable solutions that can be implemented nationwide.

“There are amazing laws on the books that protect elders and their assets,” said NPRC member Zakiya Jendayi. “The problem is they are ignored, and that lack of oversight has led to systemic abuse in the Probate Court system, not just in Alameda County, but nationwide.

“The scary part is the collusion and wall of silence NPRC has encountered when reaching out to the Judicial Council, legislators, and the State Bar for assistance. It’s so obvious that one hand is washing the other, that they’re protecting each other, that it’s difficult to initiate any type of meaningful reform much less dialogue.”

Stacy Drake, a Texas member, says, “I’ve been looking for help for over 10 years with my situation, and I finally found it within the NPRC coalition. God answered my prayers.”

Broadening its reach within Alameda County, NPRC has invited Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee to assist with outreach, education, and resolution.

“We hope to host an elder abuse/elder protection symposium annually, if not twice a year, to let our elders know that Alameda County and the City of Oakland are a safe place, a place where in their golden years they have no worries regarding exploitation and abuse,” said Cobb. “Society is defined by how the care for its children and elders.”

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Advice

Book Review: Books for College-Bound Students

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and these books will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be.

Published

1 month ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Book covers. Photo courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Authors: Various, Copyright: c.2026, Publishers: Various, SRP: $21.00 – $29.00, Page Counts: Various

The videos and news reports were inspiring.

In them, a hesitant prospective college student became a happy, new college-bound student with the click of a key. They were accepted into the college of their dreams – so how can you get the same feeling next spring, when you’re the one with the highest of hopes?

You can start by reading these great books and sharing them with your family…

You probably already know that getting into the college of your choice is not something you do last-minute. In “The People’s Guide to College Applications: A Week-by-Week Approach to Writing, Connecting, and Getting in” (Prometheus Books, $ 21.95), Jill Constantino takes you through each step, but not in a frantic way. There’s no pressure here, just easy-to-grasp, makes-sense methods to apply for the college you want. There are reminders here, things you can’t forget and things you can, hints on asking for referrals and writing essays, and plenty of reminders to take a deep breath. Bonus: it’s also a book for parents, who may feel just as much pressure as their child does.

Okay, but let’s say that you’re an adult, a parent who’s sweating those college applications, classes, and the FAFSA for yourself, ugh! Then you’ll want to read “Student Parent: The Fight for Families, the Cost of Poverty, and the Power of College” by Nicole Lynn Lewis (Beacon Press, $26.97). an urgent call meant for nontraditional students who are also Black, Latinx, gay, Moms, or Dads.

Inside this book, you’ll find stats and stories that may already sound familiar, tales of not enough money, not enough support, not enough arms or sleep or resources. If you’re looking for a book of advice, this isn’t it, though. It’s more of a resource that you’ll want to take to your guidance counselor or any local politician.

Alright, but what if you’ve decided that college can wait? Is that okay? Look for “The Mission Generation: Reclaim Your Purpose, Rewrite Success, Rebuild Our Future” by Arun Gupta and Thomas J. Fewer (Wiley, $29.00) because – guess what? – you have many options for your future.

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and this book will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be. This book isn’t just for high schoolers, but for anyone ages 16 and beyond who’s feeling restless, ready for change, or who’s thinking about some kind of purposeful retirement.

And if these aren’t the college-based or not-college-bound books you need, then be sure to ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for help on ideas, how-to’s, test prep books, or study guides. They’ll have books for you, and maybe a little inspiration, too.

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Activism

‘Hire Oakland’ Job Fair Draws 2,000, Connecting Residents to Immediate Job Opportunities

Oakland’s Hire Oakland job fair, hosted by Mayor Barbara Lee’s office, connected over 2,000 job seekers with employers, highlighting a strong demand for quality jobs and career pathways in the city.

Published

2 months ago

May 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Left to right: Yawo Tekpa, OPIC Manager, One Stop Operator; Sofia Navarro, Deputy City Administrator; and Ray Lankford, CEO of the Oakland Private Industry Council. Photo by Jonathan Fitness Jones.

By Post Staff

The Office of Mayor Barbara Lee, in partnership with the City of Oakland and regional employers, hosted a successful Hire Oakland job fair this week at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, bringing together job seekers and employers for a day focused on opportunity, connection, and economic mobility.

With more than 2,000 RSVPs, the event on Wednesday reflected strong demand across Oakland for access to quality jobs and career pathways. Attendees participated in on-site recruitment, application support, and hands-on workshops designed to help job seekers navigate hiring processes and prepare for interviews.

Over the course of the day, employers and community partners engaged directly with residents in a welcoming, high-energy environment centered on opportunity and hope. Participating employers included EBMUD, Samuel Merritt University, the City of Oakland, BART, PG&E, AC Transit, East Bay Regional Parks District, Southwest Airlines, FedEx, and many others offering immediate openings and career pathways across sectors.

Workforce development partners Oakland Private Industry Council (OPIC) and Lao Family Community Development provided connections to résumé support, interview coaching, and individualized job search assistance throughout the event.

The strong turnout underscores a clear reality: Oakland residents are eager for pathways into meaningful work, and sustained investment in youth and workforce programs is essential.

That is why Mayor Lee has prioritized relaunching the Oakland Police Cadet Program and the Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program (MYEEP)—ensuring young people have early access to paid work experience, mentorship, and long-term career pathways, according to a City press statement.

“The turnout shows what we already know—Oaklanders are ready to work, ready to grow, and ready to build their futures here at home,” said Lee. “When we connect people directly to employers and invest in young people early, we are not just filling jobs—we are changing lives and strengthening our city’s future.”

The Hire Oakland job fair is part of the City’s broader effort to strengthen workforce pipelines, expand access to good-paying jobs, and ensure Oakland residents are first in line for local opportunity.

About Hire OaklandHire Oakland is a citywide workforce initiative led by the Office of Mayor Barbara Lee in partnership with City departments, workforce development organizations, and regional employers. The program connects Oakland job seekers to real-time hiring opportunities, training resources, and career pathways.