Tea with Dr D: Solving The Puzzle of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Pulling All the Pieces Together for Each Patient

In this premiere episode of Tea with Dr D, Dr James Q Del Rosso welcomes Dr Lauren Lam, a Canadian dermatologist with special interest and strong experience in managing patients affected by hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). They engage in a thoughtful and comprehensive conversation about diagnosing and treating this common yet often elusive skin condition—especially in its early stages—which has been notoriously difficult to treat. Their discussion integrates both medical and surgical approaches to optimize outcomes. Dr Lam shares how she built an efficient, trust-centered model of care at her Calgary clinic, from using intake tools and patient education videos to identifying comorbidities and staging severity. She walks through her approach to treatment selection—focusing on what brings the most value in that moment—and discusses when and how she incorporates patient education, intralesional corticosteroids, biologic therapy, deroofing, laser hair removal, and other approaches into her care strategy. Whether you see HS regularly or only occasionally, this conversation offers practical strategies, clinical nuances, and a fresh perspective on improving care for this complex condition.