Hidradenitis Suppurativa Influences Tattooing Practice in Women

• Published in: Dermatology (Basel) Vol. 236; no. 5; p. 445
• Main Authors: Guillem, Philippe, Raynal, Hélène, Wendling, Anaïs, Kluger, Nicolas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age of Onset; Body Image; Body Piercing - psychology; Body Piercing - statistics & numerical data; Cicatrix - psychology; Decision Making; Female; France; Hidradenitis Suppurativa - psychology; Hidradenitis Suppurativa - surgery; Humans; Middle Aged; Motivation; Postoperative Complications - psychology; Prospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tattooing - psychology; Tattooing - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; France; Tattoo; Body piercing; Acne inversa; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 1421-9832
• DOI: 10.1159/000504436

The reasons or the motivations that compel people to get a tattoo or a body piercing (BP) are plentiful and personal. Patients with chronic cutaneous or systemic conditions may be interested in getting tattooed or pierced. To determine the frequency of body art practices in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and to evaluate the possible impact of HS in the decision-making process. An anonymous specific paper-based questionnaire was prospectively offered to patients (≥18 years) consecutively managed for HS from September 2016 to March 2017 in a French specialized center. In total, 209 patients participated in the study, of whom 77 (37%) and 50 (24%) had tattoos and BP, respectively. These proportions were higher than those reported in the French population. HS prevented the decision to get a BP or a tattoo in 2 and 5%, respectively (fear of infection or healing difficulties). Fifteen patients (7%) got tattooed to hide a surgical HS scar (n = 5, 2%), to regain control over the pain or their bodies (n = 9, 4%), or to turn others' eyes away from HS lesions or scars (n = 1, 0.5%). HS severity influenced a proportion of patients who intended to get a new tattoo. HS is associated with a significant increase in body art practices.