Why does HS have an odor?

There are various explanations for this. Below, you’ll find a snapshot.

First, it is not your fault.

A few Explanations:

Inflammation, bacteria, breakdown of sweat and skin tissue. 
When an abscess contains pus, the pus itself is a combination of dead white blood cells, bacteria (good/bad  live/dead), tissue debris, germs, serum, etc.
These environments can produce compounds that result in odor and foul smells. 

Note 

The presence of a strong smell does not necessarily mean there is an infection. It’s common for drainage colors to differ in HS and it doesn’t necessarily indicate an infection.

See related article HERE

_{Special Note:  Written by Denise Fixsen. This information is backed by my 46 years of living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, 10 years of dealing with multiple chronic illnesses, 36 years of advocacy, and continuous education. And to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness, I incorporate peer-reviewed studies and other high-quality sources into my articles and material. I also wanted to inform you that I’ve chosen to end my collaboration with editors on my articles. Although there may be grammar errors due to brain illnesses (mostly), with this said, my content remains reliable, factual, and solid.}

_{Medical Disclaimer: This content is solely for information, education, and support. The purpose is not to serve as a replacement for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatments.}

_{Sources: PMC7450471PMID: 32884675 doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.0904}

_{FAQ posted on 08-29-2024}