How HS Warriors ensures the accuracy, honesty, and safety of health information on this site.
Our Commitment to Accurate Health Information
HS Warriors is built by people living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa — not by pharmaceutical companies, advertisers, or institutions with a financial stake in your treatment decisions. That independence is something we protect fiercely.
At the same time, we recognize that health information carries real responsibility. When someone newly diagnosed with HS comes to this site at 2 AM, scared and in pain, what they find here matters. We take that seriously.
This page explains exactly who creates content on HS Warriors, how it is reviewed, what sources we use, and how we handle corrections and updates.
Who Creates Content on HS Warriors
Community Forum Content
The forums on HS Warriors consist of first-person posts from people living with HS, their caregivers, and family members. This is peer experience — not medical advice. Forum posts reflect individual experiences and are not reviewed for medical accuracy before publication. They are, however, moderated to ensure they comply with our Community Guidelines and do not promote dangerous or harmful practices.
Editorial Articles (Resource Section)
Articles published in the HS Warriors resource section — including condition guides, treatment explainers, diet guides, and mental health content — are written by HS Warriors editorial contributors. These contributors are:
- Long-term HS patients who have navigated the healthcare system, tracked their own disease, and developed substantive knowledge of HS through lived experience and extensive personal research
- Patient advocates who have supported HS patients through the diagnostic and treatment process
- Medical contributors (where indicated) — healthcare professionals, including dermatologists or other clinicians with HS experience, who have agreed to contribute or review specific content
Every editorial article clearly states at the top when it was last reviewed and, where applicable, who reviewed it.
Our Editorial Standards
We Cite Our Sources
Every factual claim in HS Warriors editorial content is supported by a cited source. We prioritize, in order:
- Peer-reviewed clinical research — primarily indexed on PubMed/MEDLINE, published in journals such as JAMA Dermatology, The Lancet, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, British Journal of Dermatology, and Dermatology and Therapy
- Clinical guidelines from recognized medical authorities, including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (EHSF), and national dermatological societies
- Patient-facing information from reputable health institutions such as the HS Foundation, NIH MedlinePlus, NHS (UK), and Cleveland Clinic
- First-person community experience, clearly labeled as such
We do not cite press releases, commercial health websites without clinical sources, social media posts, or unverified anecdotes as evidence for clinical claims.
We Distinguish Experience from Evidence
HS Warriors content consistently distinguishes between:
- What the clinical research shows
- What community members commonly report
- What remains uncertain or under-researched
Where the evidence is weak, limited, or conflicting, we say so explicitly. We do not overstate certainty to make content sound more authoritative.
We Do Not Provide Medical Advice
Every piece of editorial content on HS Warriors carries a clear disclaimer: this is informational content only, not medical advice. We consistently direct readers to consult a qualified dermatologist or healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment decisions.
We never recommend specific dosages, tell readers to stop or start medications, or make individualized treatment recommendations.
Review and Update Process
Initial Review
Editorial articles are reviewed before publication to ensure:
- Factual claims are supported by cited sources
- Sources cited are current (we aim to cite research from the past 3–5 years wherever possible)
- The content is balanced and does not unduly favor any treatment, medication, or commercial product
- Medical disclaimers are clearly present
Ongoing Review
Health information changes. New research is published. Drugs are approved or withdrawn. Guidelines are updated. We are committed to reviewing and updating editorial content on a regular basis.
- Articles are reviewed for currency at least once every 12 months
- Articles are reviewed immediately if significant new research is published that materially changes recommendations
- The “Last reviewed” date at the top of each article reflects the most recent review, not the original publication date
Corrections Policy
If you identify a factual error, an outdated claim, or a missing citation in any HS Warriors article, please contact us via our Contact page. We investigate all reported errors and publish corrections promptly when warranted.
What We Are Not
To be transparent about our limitations:
- We are not a medical practice. HS Warriors does not diagnose, treat, or manage any individual’s medical condition.
- We are not a substitute for a dermatologist. Particularly for decisions about biologic medications, surgical interventions, or treatment escalation, you need a specialist who can evaluate you in person.
- We do not have a full-time medical editorial board. We are a patient-led community. We work to ensure content accuracy, but our resources are those of a community organization, not a medical journal.
- Community forum posts are not reviewed for medical accuracy. They represent personal experiences, not clinical recommendations.
Our Independence
HS Warriors accepts no advertising, no pharmaceutical sponsorship, and no payment from any company in exchange for content. We do not have affiliate relationships with medication manufacturers or online pharmacies.
This independence is essential to our credibility. When we write about a biologic medication, it is because the clinical evidence supports discussing it — not because a company paid us to.
Finding Qualified HS Medical Care
We strongly encourage all HS Warriors members to establish care with a dermatologist who has specific experience with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. HS is frequently mismanaged by practitioners who are unfamiliar with current treatment protocols.
Resources for finding HS-experienced physicians:
- HS Foundation Provider Directory (USA)
- European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (Europe)
- British Association of Dermatologists — Find a Dermatologist (UK)
- Australasian College of Dermatologists (Australia/NZ)
- HS Warriors community thread: Dermatologist recommendations by region
Contact Us
Questions about this Medical Review Policy or concerns about specific content?
We read every message and respond as promptly as we are able.
HS Warriors Medical Review Policy — last updated May 2026.