Family Planning: Passing HS to Children

My sister called me a little stressed out; my niece had another boil on her chest. She told me she thought she may have hidradenitis suppurativa. My niece has been having recurring boils on her chest over the past few months. My sister doesn't have HS, but she knows I am the resident expert on all things HS and skincare.

I know all too well about dealing with these flares at a young age so, I started a treatment plan. I posted a video with my niece on my TikTok since, she's my medical assistant when I make some of my HS TikToks. I had someone in my comment ask me, "Why would you have children if you knew they would have this?" I, in turn, asked my audience the same question in a video reply.

Having children and HS

HS is not a death sentence. I know HS is painful and can be life altering, but it should not stop you from chasing your dreams or having a family. People with HS who have children may have children predisposed to HS. That means they may have higher chances of developing it, but it does not mean they will.

For example, my grandma had diabetes and, because she does, her children are predisposed to the disease. My grandmother has 4 kids. None have diabetes. She also has 11 grandchildren and only one, me, has diabetes. It is not a 100 percent guarantee your child will have HS. I personally do not have children, but HS isn't the reason.

A legitimate concern

A few warriors reached out to me, saying they were anguished over the idea of children because they didn't want them to deal with this. Well, I am here to say that it is a legitimate concern.

HS may have stolen our confidence, if not permanently, for a little while. It has taken the clothes were willing to wear. Hell, it has crippled intimacy for some of us, but do not let it steal your future or dream of children and a family if that is what you want.

When I first got diagnosed with HS, it wasn't talked about. It was a dirty little secret, but now there are social media sites and new medications. Doctors and researchers are learning more and more daily. It is not the same leprosy it used to be.

New hopes for the next generation of HS warriors

We don't have to merely endure HS; we can thrive with it. I think the biggest gift we have to offer is showing the next generation of HS warriors that their lives don't have to be less than, which is why I love community's like this; I get to tell people they are not alone and share how we can manage our HS.

We don't have to deal with flare-ups daily. In fact I go months and sometimes years without flare-ups. I know that when I do become a mom, being a warrior has provided me with an arsenal of tricks and ideas to help mitigate the condition.

Sharing our stories can give others the confidence they need to live their lives to the fullest. I know from watching other HS creators with children that it is possible.