Quick answer: A practical guide to documenting HS flare-ups, noting changes and keeping a record to discuss with your healthcare professional.
Why tracking HS flare-ups can be useful
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can involve recurring painful lumps, abscesses and tunnels under the skin. Experiences can vary over time. Keeping a personal record may help you describe what you have experienced during a healthcare appointment.
What details might you record?
Consider noting when you first noticed a flare-up, its general body location, changes over time, discomfort or other symptoms, and any care or medication information relevant to you. Only record details that feel useful and manageable.
Track separate flare-ups separately
If you experience more than one flare-up, separate records can make it easier to follow each experience without mixing timelines. Baobab Health supports independent tracking of multiple flare-ups, including those at different stages.
Include context without assuming a cause
You may choose to record sleep, stress, food, menstrual or hormonal changes, and environmental factors. These notes can help you review what was happening around the same time, but they cannot prove that a factor caused a flare.
Bring your notes to appointments
A timeline and concise notes can help you remember questions and describe your experience. Baobab lets you review, export or share records to support conversations with healthcare professionals.
A note about medical care
Tracking is not a substitute for medical assessment. Seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional about new, worsening or concerning symptoms. For severe or urgent symptoms, seek appropriate urgent medical care.
Health information on this page is general education, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your individual concerns.