NYC Chaquira Andrade Woman Battles Mystery Skin Disease, Finds Hope After Years of Suffering
This Story was Originally shared on Peoples Magazines
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Chaquira Andrade, a 29-year-old social worker from New York City, has endured a painful and perplexing journey with a chronic skin condition that has sent her to the emergency room more than 20 times . What started as what she thought was an ingrown hair when she began shaving her bikini line at age 15, quickly escalated to painful, pus-filled bumps in various locations on her body, including under her arms, breasts, and in her private areas.
Chaquira Andrade A Long Road to Diagnosis
For years, Andrade’s condition remained a mystery. She and her family lived in and out of shelters and did not have health insurance, meaning she lacked a regular physician. When the painful, itchy, smelly, leaky lumps appeared, her mother took her to the emergency room when she was 16. However, doctors were unable to determine the cause. The painful lumps became so severe that Andrade struggled to wear bras or underwear and had difficulty walking. She began to hide her body with loose clothing .
Diagnosis and Treatment It was not until June 2020, that Andrade was referred to a dermatologist who finally diagnosed her with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS is a chronic, autoinflammatory disease, also known as “acne inversa,” because it resembles cystic acne that develops in the folds of the skin. The condition is not contagious and typically appears in warm, moist areas of the body. These areas include the armpits, under the breasts, buttocks, and between the butt cheeks. The lumps start as painful, pea-sized, pus-filled areas that can ooze and bleed .
Dr. Peter Lio, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, explains that HS can be debilitating and lead to disfiguring scars, anxiety, and depression6. He also notes that treatment for HS is difficult, with doctors using antibiotics, topical medications, cortisone injections, and surgery .
Hope Through Clinical Trial In June 2021, Andrade was invited to participate in a clinical trial for BIMZELX, a new biologic injection treatment for HS that was FDA-approved in November 2024. While it is not a cure, BIMZELX has significantly improved her condition. Since her diagnosis, she has had nine surgical procedures to remove damaged skin. However, the new medication has been life-changing . She now feels more confident, travels, and is comfortable wearing tight clothing .
Becoming an Advocate Since sharing her story on Instagram and TikTok, Andrade has connected with other HS sufferers and has become an advocate for HS awareness. She wants to provide hope for others living with HS. She rarely experiences flare-ups now and sometimes just feels itchy . Her goal is for others to know that there is hope and she hopes to find someone who will love her for who she is and see her scars as something she has overcome
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