Disease severity	Characteristics	Treatment
Mild	Early, solitary nodules with minimal pain; no abscesses	Avoidance of prolonged exposure to heat and humidity
		Avoidance of shaving if irritation occurs
		Avoidance of tight, synthetic clothing near affected area
		Nonnarcotic analgesics
		Stress management
		Topical antiseptics and antibacterial soap
		Warm compresses, warm baths, and hydrotherapy
		Weight loss
		NOT RECOMMENDED: Use of simple incision and drainage for lesions that are not fluctuant abscesses with purulent discharge
Moderate	Multiple, recurrent nodules with moderate pain; abscesses with purulent discharge	Antibiotics (topical, systemic, or both):
			Cephalosporins (if patient has concurrent cellulitis)
			Dicloxacillin (Dynapen)
			Erythromycin
			Minocycline (Minocin)
			Tetracycline
			Topical clindamycin (Cleocin)
		Cryotherapy
		Oral contraceptive agents, with high estrogen-to-progesterone ratio and low androgenicity of progesterone, in selected women
		CONSIDER: Referral to a dermatologist (for patients who do not respond to initial therapy) or an early referral to an experienced general surgeon (discuss risks and benefits of surgery)
Severe	Diffuse abscess formation in multiple sites; chronic draining sinuses; indurated scarred skin and subcutaneous tissues	Referral to an experienced surgeon