Exploring the Social, Emotional, and Physical Consequences of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Pediatric Patients: A Scoping Review

There remains a widespread lack of knowledge regarding hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) among physicians in the United States, impeding timely diagnosis and implementation of comprehensive treatment interventions. Despite the presence of supporting communities for affected adolescents and their caretakers, the overall awareness of HS remains low, and a greater consensus on the treatment of HS is needed. Current research highlights the lack of standardized pediatric guidelines for treatment of HS largely due to the varied nature of the disease and limited efficacy of current therapies. Our study aims to explore the relationship between the chronic skin condition HS and social–emotional concerns, mental health, and physical health issues in US children and adolescents. Using the Arksey and O’Malley framework and PRISMA-ScR reporting, we searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase for U.S. studies (2015–2025) on pediatric HS (<18 years) and social–emotional, mental health, or quality-of-life outcomes. Recommendations were synthesized, and study quality was appraised with CASP checklist methods and rigor. Ten studies (2020–2025) met inclusion criteria. Pediatric HS was associated with depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, shame, low self-esteem, and reduced quality of life. Physical comorbidities increased psychosocial burden. Socioeconomic and racial disparities worsened outcomes and access to care. Studies emphasized early diagnosis, routine screening, multidisciplinary management, and disparity-focused interventions. Findings may inform clinical practice and guide research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for children and adolescents with HS.