Editorial Policy

War Against HS exists to bridge the gap between complex medical research and the everyday lives of people affected by Hidradenitis Suppurativa. HS is a chronic, often misunderstood inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide, yet it remains significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Our mission is to provide clear, accurate, and compassionate educational content that empowers patients, caregivers, and advocates to make informed decisions and navigate the healthcare system with confidence. We believe that access to reliable health information is a fundamental part of patient empowerment.

This Editorial Policy describes the standards and processes we follow to ensure that every piece of content published on WarAgainstHS.com is responsible, evidence-informed, and respectful of the people it serves. We hold ourselves accountable to these standards because our readers deserve nothing less.

Every article, guide, and resource published on War Against HS follows a structured research and review process designed to ensure accuracy, clarity, and relevance to our community.

Research and Writing

Content is researched using credible, authoritative sources including peer-reviewed medical journals, dermatology organization guidelines, clinical trial registries, and publications from recognized health institutions. Our writers and contributors consult primary sources wherever possible rather than relying on secondary summaries or unverified claims.

For research summaries and clinical updates, we review the original study methodology, patient population, endpoints, and limitations before drawing conclusions. We aim to present findings in context rather than in isolation, and we clearly distinguish between preliminary findings, Phase 2 data, and fully approved treatments.

Content Categories

Our content falls into several distinct categories, each with its own standards:

Editorial Review

Content is reviewed before publication for factual accuracy, clarity, appropriate sourcing, and alignment with our editorial standards. We aim to present information in plain language accessible to patients and caregivers while preserving the accuracy and nuance of the underlying science.

War Against HS is committed to grounding its content in credible, verifiable sources. We prioritize primary sources over secondary summaries and cite references where appropriate so that readers can verify information and explore topics further.

Our content draws from the following categories of sources:

Where citations are included in an article, they appear as inline references or in a dedicated references section at the end of the page. We link directly to source material wherever it is publicly accessible.

We do not cite sources selectively to support a predetermined conclusion. When the evidence on a topic is mixed, limited, or evolving, we say so clearly rather than presenting a false certainty.

Medical knowledge about Hidradenitis Suppurativa is advancing rapidly. New treatments are being approved, new research is being published, and clinical guidelines are being updated. We recognize that information that was accurate at the time of publication may become outdated as the field evolves.

To address this, we periodically review and update our content to reflect new medical knowledge, emerging research findings, and changes in clinical practice. When an article is substantially updated, we note the revision date on the page.

Our approach to accuracy includes:

• Monitoring major dermatology journals and conference proceedings for new HS research
• Tracking FDA and EMA drug approval announcements relevant to HS treatment
• Reviewing content when significant new evidence emerges that contradicts or substantially updates previously published information
• Clearly distinguishing between established clinical evidence, emerging research, and preliminary findings
• Noting when information is based on small studies, single case reports, or anecdotal evidence

Despite our best efforts, some content may not always reflect the most current research. We encourage readers to consult a qualified healthcare provider for the most up-to-date guidance specific to their situation.

All editorial decisions at War Against HS are made independently, based solely on what is accurate, relevant, and useful to our community. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers, sponsors, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, or any other commercial interest.

Specifically:

• We do not accept payment to publish, promote, or favorably present any product, treatment, or service
• We do not allow advertisers or sponsors to review, approve, or influence article content before publication
• We do not accept sponsored content that is presented as independent editorial content without clear disclosure
• We do not receive compensation from pharmaceutical companies for coverage of their products or clinical trials
• Our coverage of treatments and research is based on the quality and relevance of the evidence, not on commercial relationships

If War Against HS ever enters into a sponsored content arrangement or partnership that could affect editorial content, we will disclose this relationship clearly and prominently on the relevant pages.

War Against HS was built from the patient community, and we deeply value the lived experiences of people with HS. Patient voices are an essential part of our editorial mission. Personal stories, advocacy perspectives, and community insights help contextualize clinical information in ways that purely scientific content cannot.

At the same time, we are committed to clearly distinguishing between personal experience and scientific evidence. We apply the following principles when incorporating patient perspectives:

• Personal stories are clearly labeled as individual experiences and are not presented as medical guidance or generalizable findings
• Anecdotal reports about treatments are accompanied by a note that individual results vary and that readers should consult their healthcare provider
• Patient advocacy content is presented as representing community perspectives, not as clinical recommendations
• Community-sourced information about products, routines, or strategies is reviewed for safety before publication and is not endorsed as universally appropriate

We believe that patient experience and scientific evidence are complementary, not competing. Our goal is to honor both with equal respect and appropriate context.

We take accuracy seriously and acknowledge that errors can occur despite our best efforts. When factual errors, outdated information, or misleading statements are identified in our content, we are committed to correcting them promptly and transparently.

Our corrections process:

• Prompt action - corrections are made as quickly as possible after an error is verified, typically within 48 to 72 hours of confirmation
• Transparent disclosure - significant factual corrections are noted on the affected page with a brief explanation of what was changed and why
• No silent edits - we do not quietly alter content to remove errors without acknowledgment when the error may have been seen by readers
• Minor corrections - typographical errors, broken links, and formatting issues may be corrected without a formal correction notice

We welcome corrections and feedback from our readers. If you believe you have found an error in our content, please contact us using the information in the Contact section below. We review all correction requests and respond to substantiated concerns.

War Against HS is committed to being open and transparent about how this website operates, how content is created, and what our limitations are. We believe that transparency is essential to building and maintaining the trust of our community.

Our transparency commitments include:

• Source disclosure - we cite the sources underlying our content so readers can verify information independently
• Authorship - where content is attributed to a specific author or contributor, that attribution is noted on the page
• Limitations - we acknowledge when evidence is limited, preliminary, or uncertain rather than presenting incomplete information as settled fact
• Non-medical status - we are clear that this website is an educational resource, not a medical provider, and that our contributors are not acting in a clinical capacity unless explicitly stated
• Commercial relationships - any commercial relationships, affiliate links, or sponsorships that could affect editorial content will be disclosed clearly
• AI-generated content - where AI tools are used to assist in content creation or illustration, this is noted and all AI-assisted content is reviewed for accuracy before publication

This Editorial Policy itself is a transparency document. We encourage readers to hold us accountable to the standards described here and to contact us if they believe we have fallen short.

We welcome feedback, correction requests, and suggestions from our readers. If you have identified an error in our content, have a question about our editorial process, or would like to suggest a topic or resource, please reach out:

We aim to respond to all editorial inquiries within 5 business days. For urgent corrections involving potential patient safety concerns, please indicate this clearly in your message and we will prioritize your request.