FAQ App

WELCOME

I’m delighted you found the website - this space is for you, in particular if you had to live with or looking for information on inverse acne (Ai) - Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), Morbus Verneuil, depression, and the journey back to life.

If Ai has made your life Hell, believe me when I say I understand what you’re going through.

I became acquainted with the condition two decades ago and have lived with it ever since.

It turned my life up-side down. It has been a wild ride, filled with ups and downs as well as moments of unexpected beauty.

Under the FAQ section, you will find tips and tricks for very frequently asked questions related to our condition.

In the end, it’s about you, me and us supporting and motivating each other!

Let’s try to make sense of this insane rollercoaster together - keeping in the back of our minds, the sense that life can still be beautiful, in spite everything.

Thank you life!

Inversa Warrior Marcus, Akne Inversa, Hidradenitis suppurativa, HS, AI, Inversa Warrior Marcus, HS inversawarriormarcus, AI, AI inversawarriormarcus, Marcus Ehrhardt, Marcus Ehrhardt Akne Inversa, Marcus Ehrhardt Hidradenitis suppurativa, Marcus Ehrhardt inversawarriormarcus, Marcus inversawarrior Marcus, Marcus AI/HS, inversawarriormarcu.at

MARCUS EHRHARDT

Hi, I’m Marcus – a guy who has always lived life with his foot firmly on the accelerator.

I had a great job and a brilliant personal life. I was at my happiest when in the thick of it, in particular when spending time with family and friends. It was everything to me. Whether it was cooking together, enjoying a good meal with a glass of wine, or going to concerts and events – every opportunity was seized to fill the memory bank with unforgettable moments.

I thought I had everything under control. Suddenly, one day, everything changed. My body changed the rules. Overnight I had to re-organise my life in ways that were totally bewildering.

Sounds grim ? It was.

But I quickly realized: without at least a bit of laughter along the way, it only gets harder. So, I found my own way to deal with the challenges.

Limits only exist in your mind.

GALLERY Hidradenitis

Attention! This gallery is not for the faint of heart. It shows pictures of my wounds.

I want to see the Pictures

My Book

At 42, I was physically and mentally at my breaking point. My body had more holes than Swiss cheese – large, palm-sized wounds in places you would rather not imagine (throughout the intimate area and under both armpits). The pain was unbearable. Mentally, I reached such a low that my thoughts regularly tried to knock on Suicide’s door. That state lasted close to four years.

And all of this happened at an age when I was supposed to be at the peak of my life – professionally, athletically, financially, socially, and yes, even sexually. Instead, I was unable to work. Life had turned me into a full-time medical case.

My illness, Hidradenitis, crept in slowly and gradually took over my daily life, my body, and my mind.

In my book, I talk about the brutal reality of this skin condition and the harsh impact of depression. I’ve wrapped my story with a good dose of humour because, without it, life, for me and my close ones, would have been unbearable.

I want to give readers an insight into how these two conditions feed into each other: the physical burden eats away at the psyche, and in turn, depression drags you deeper into the abyss. It’s a downward spiral.

What’s the goal of my book?

To give people hope, courage, whether or not they have the condition, as well as practical tips for those who either have it or know a loved one who does. Above all, I want to take away the fear and shame that often accompany illnesses such as this. No one is to blame for getting this condition! Hidradenitis is a silent, invisible disease – which I want to bring into light.

I write honestly and unapologetically about so-called taboo topics, about things that even your closest friends wouldn’t normally hear about. Taboos that, in reality, should be no such thing at all.

What do you do when going to the bathroom becomes a nightmare?
When personal hygiene becomestor ture?
How does intimacy work when you feel like you stink to high heaven and your body is full of open wounds?
What did I do when the first large open wounds appeared?
What does professional wound care look like?
How did my family support me, and where did friends step in to help?
How do you cope with the stigma of a disease that is barely visible on the outside, yet destroys everything inside?
How did I pull myself out of this deep mental pit?
How did my partner handle this situation?

And most importantly:

What helps with Hidradenitis suppurativa, and what specifically worked for me?

From psychological support, nutrition, exercise, alternative medicine, to the question: Open wound healing or stitching up the wound?

What is Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)?

If you think of Hidradenitis as regular pimples or acne (acne vulgaris), you’re mistaken. We, the affected, suffer from deep-seated abscesses, not pimples.

Simply put: Hidradenitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting the hair follicles. The recurring inflammations primarily occur in the armpits, groin, anal, and genital regions (see pictures in my gallery). Fistulas (small channels or tunnels under the skin) form, connecting different abscesses, and scar tissue begins to develop in the affected areas.

The disease is classified into three stages (Hurley Score): Hurley Stage I, II, and III.

Hidradenitis brings significant physical and emotional burdens and is currently incurable.

Our disease is recognized as an autoimmune condition in some countries, but not in others. For example, it is recognized in Austria, while this is not the case in Germany (as of January 2025).

How I’ve been managing this for the past 18 years is what I share in my book.

FAQ

Welcome to my FAQ – Answers to the most common questions about Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)!

Hello and awesome that you’re here! If you’re wondering why I created these FAQ, the answer is simple: Over decades of living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, I’ve learned and experienced a lot.

I am a group expert in the largest German-speaking self-help group on Facebook, the Akne Inversa Club. One thing has become increasingly clear to me: there are an incredible number of questions, uncertainties, and even heated debates surrounding our disease. That’s exactly why I decided to write these FAQ – to support you with my experience and hopefully provide you with some guidance.

One of the most important lessons from my personal journey is: Please seek professional help early.

If you feel something is wrong with your skin, don’t hesitate to consult a dermatologist. Hidradenitis suppurativa is not “normal acne,” and an early diagnosis can make a huge difference.

And if you notice that the disease is not only affecting your body but also your mental health – which is completely understandable – don’t hesitate to seek support from psychologists. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a brave step toward improvement.

In these FAQ, you’ll find answers to questions I get asked repeatedly – both personally and in self-help groups. Some topics spark intense debates, and I try to share my perspective and experiences as clearly and honestly as possible. I’ll update and expand this list from time to time, so feel free to check back often. Perhaps you’ll find the exact answer you’ve been looking for right here.

And if not? No problem! Just send me a message using the email address provided on this page.

If you’re not just looking for my advice but also want to connect with others affected by this condition, there are excellent self-help groups on Facebook that I highly recommend. Just to name a few: Akne Inversa Club (the largest German-speaking self-help group), Akne inversa Hidradenitis suppurativa, and Mullewup. These groups are perfectly organized, highly informative, and full of people who truly understand what it feels like to live with this disease.

The most important thing is: You’re not alone.

There are so many of us who understand this condition and are willing to listen and support. Stay strong and don’t hesitate to ask questions – every question matters!