Dr. Hadar Lev-Tov
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Specialist — University of Miami Health System
The specialist you need when you've been diagnosed with HS and need someone who actually knows the disease. Academic medical center. Cutting-edge treatments. The real deal.
“HS takes 7–10 years to diagnose on average. Once you have the diagnosis, you need the right specialist. This is that specialist.”
My HS Journey
From diagnosis to specialist care
I was diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa by my dermatologist, Dr. Marcy Alvarez, in Miami Beach. I didn't know what HS was. I didn't know it was a real condition with a name. I just knew something was wrong and regular treatments weren't working.
Dr. Alvarez identified it and immediately referred me to Dr. Hadar Lev-Tov at University of Miami Health System. Dr. Lev-Tov is a specialist — not a general dermatologist who happens to see some HS patients, but someone who focuses on this disease and treats it comprehensively.
Getting to Dr. Lev-Tov changed everything. Having a doctor who understands HS — who sees it every day, who knows the treatment options, who has access to clinical trials and emerging therapies — is fundamentally different from being managed by someone who sees one HS patient a year.
I'm writing this page because HS thrives on silence. The condition affects sensitive areas of the body, so people don't talk about it. That silence contributes to the 7–10 year diagnostic delay. If sharing my experience helps one person get diagnosed sooner or find a specialist faster, it's worth it.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa by the Numbers
The scope of a condition most people have never heard of
1-4%
of the population affected
Hidradenitis suppurativa affects an estimated 1-4% of people worldwide. That's millions of people — many of whom don't have a correct diagnosis yet.
7-10 years
average time to diagnosis
The average HS patient sees multiple doctors over 7-10 years before receiving a correct diagnosis. It's one of the most underdiagnosed chronic conditions in dermatology.
3x
more common in women
HS is approximately three times more common in women than men, though it affects all genders. Hormonal factors are believed to play a role.
Stage I-III
Hurley staging system
HS is classified using the Hurley staging system: Stage I (isolated abscesses), Stage II (recurrent abscesses with sinus tracts), Stage III (diffuse interconnected tracts). Early detection and treatment can prevent progression.
What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
The condition nobody talks about
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It causes painful lumps, abscesses, and tunnels (sinus tracts) under the skin — typically in areas where skin rubs together: armpits, groin, under the breasts, inner thighs, and buttocks.
HS is not caused by poor hygiene. This is the single most important thing to understand. It's an immune system condition with genetic, hormonal, and environmental components. You can have perfect hygiene and still develop HS. The stigma around this disease needs to end.
HS typically begins after puberty and can range from mild (occasional painful lumps) to severe (interconnected tunnels under the skin with chronic drainage). The Hurley staging system classifies it as Stage I, II, or III based on severity. Early intervention is critical — catching HS at Stage I and treating it aggressively can prevent progression to more severe stages.
The disease is often associated with other conditions including metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, and anxiety. It's a systemic condition, not just a skin problem. That's why having a specialist who understands the full picture matters.
Treatment Approaches
How specialists like Dr. Lev-Tov manage HS
Biologic Therapies
Targeted medications like adalimumab (Humira) and secukinumab (Cosentyx) that address the underlying immune dysfunction driving HS. Biologics have transformed HS treatment — they're not just managing symptoms, they're targeting the disease mechanism itself.
Antibiotics & Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Oral and topical antibiotics to manage bacterial involvement and reduce inflammation during flares. Combination antibiotic therapy (like clindamycin/rifampin) is commonly used in moderate HS to reduce disease activity.
Surgical Interventions
For advanced cases, surgical options including incision and drainage, deroofing of sinus tracts, and wide excision of affected areas. Surgery is sometimes the most effective option for Stage II-III disease with established tunneling.
Wound Care & Management
Specialized wound care protocols for managing active lesions and post-surgical healing. Proper wound management is critical in HS because the condition affects areas that move and experience friction, making healing more complex.
Lifestyle & Trigger Management
Weight management, smoking cessation, stress reduction, and dietary modifications that can reduce flare frequency and severity. HS is multifactorial — addressing modifiable risk factors alongside medical treatment improves outcomes.
Pain Management
HS pain is real, severe, and often undertreated. Comprehensive pain management is an essential part of HS care — not an afterthought. Specialists like Dr. Lev-Tov understand that quality of life depends on managing both the disease and its symptoms.
Why Dr. Lev-Tov
What makes a specialist different from a generalist
HS-Focused Expertise
Not all dermatologists specialize in hidradenitis suppurativa. Dr. Lev-Tov does. When you have a chronic condition that most doctors can't even diagnose correctly, you need a specialist who sees it every day and knows the latest treatment protocols.
University of Miami Health System
UMiami Health is a major academic medical center — the kind of institution that has access to clinical trials, cutting-edge treatments, and multidisciplinary care teams. Being treated at an academic center means access to options that community practices may not offer.
Research & Clinical Trials
Academic specialists like Dr. Lev-Tov are often involved in clinical research and trials for new HS treatments. This means potential access to emerging therapies before they're widely available.
Comprehensive Approach
HS isn't just a skin problem — it affects mental health, mobility, relationships, and quality of life. Dr. Lev-Tov understands the full impact of the disease and treats the whole patient, not just the lesions.
If You Think You Might Have HS
If you have recurring painful lumps in your armpits, groin, inner thighs, under your breasts, or buttocks — especially if they come and go, drain, or leave scars — talk to a dermatologist about hidradenitis suppurativa. Say the name. Ask about it specifically.
The 7–10 year diagnostic delay exists because patients don't know HS is a real condition and many doctors don't think to look for it. Being your own advocate is the fastest path to diagnosis.
If you're in South Florida and need an HS specialist, Dr. Hadar Lev-Tov at University of Miami Health System is where I'd send you. And if you need a dermatologist who can actually diagnose HS, Dr. Marcy Alvarez in Miami Beach caught mine in one visit.
The Researcher
A screenplay inspired by an academic medical drama — because fighting a silent disease deserves the cinematic treatment
A Glen Bradford Production
THE RESEARCHER
“Breaking the silence on HS.”
FADE IN:
INT. UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HEALTH SYSTEM — MORNING
SUPER: “BASED ON A TRUE STORY”
Establishing shot of the academic medical center. This isn’t a strip mall clinic. DR. HADAR LEV-TOV reviews a stack of patient files. Each one represents years of misdiagnosis.
INT. DR. LEV-TOV’S OFFICE — CONTINUOUS
Glen sits across from the specialist for the first time. Lev-Tov reviews Dr. Alvarez’s referral. He’s seen this story hundreds of times.
INT. DR. LEV-TOV’S OFFICE — CONTINUOUS
DR. LEV-TOV
How long have you had symptoms?
GLEN
Years. I didn’t know what it was.
DR. LEV-TOV
That’s the problem with HS. People don’t know it exists, so they don’t ask about it. And if they don’t ask, most doctors don’t look for it.
He pulls up treatment options.
DR. LEV-TOV
(cont’d)
We have biologics, we have surgical options, and we have clinical trials for therapies that aren’t available anywhere else yet. That’s the advantage of an academic center.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Hidradenitis suppurativa affects up to 4% of the population. Most of them don’t have a diagnosis. Most of them don’t have a specialist. Dr. Lev-Tov is working to change that — one patient, one study, one breakthrough at a time.
SMASH CUT TO:
THE RESEARCHER
“Dr. Hadar Lev-Tov. University of Miami Health System. Breaking the silence on HS.”
FADE OUT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Hadar Lev-Tov?
Dr. Hadar Lev-Tov is a dermatologist and hidradenitis suppurativa specialist at the University of Miami Health System. He specializes in treating chronic inflammatory skin conditions, with a particular focus on HS.
What is hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)?
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful lumps, abscesses, and tunnels (sinus tracts) under the skin. It typically occurs in areas where skin rubs together — armpits, groin, under the breasts, inner thighs, and buttocks. It's not caused by poor hygiene. It's an immune system condition with genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors.
How does Glen Bradford know Dr. Lev-Tov?
Glen was diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa by his dermatologist, Dr. Marcy Alvarez, in Miami Beach. Dr. Alvarez referred Glen to Dr. Hadar Lev-Tov at UMiami Health for specialized HS treatment. Dr. Lev-Tov manages Glen's ongoing HS care.
Is HS curable?
Currently, there is no cure for hidradenitis suppurativa. However, it is treatable. Biologic therapies, antibiotics, surgical interventions, and lifestyle modifications can significantly reduce flare frequency, severity, and improve quality of life. Early treatment and finding the right specialist are the most important factors in managing HS effectively.
Why does HS take so long to diagnose?
HS is underdiagnosed because its symptoms — painful lumps, abscesses, draining lesions — mimic other conditions like regular acne, boils, folliculitis, or skin infections. Many general practitioners and even some dermatologists don't see enough HS to recognize it. The average patient sees multiple doctors over 7-10 years before getting the correct diagnosis.
What should I do if I think I have HS?
See a dermatologist — specifically one who has experience with hidradenitis suppurativa. If you have recurring painful lumps in your armpits, groin, inner thighs, under breasts, or buttocks that come and go or drain fluid, mention hidradenitis suppurativa by name to your doctor. Getting to a specialist like Dr. Lev-Tov early can prevent disease progression and improve long-term outcomes.
Why is Glen sharing his HS diagnosis publicly?
Because HS thrives on silence. People don't talk about it because the symptoms are in sensitive areas and the condition is poorly understood. The average 7-10 year diagnostic delay exists partly because patients don't know HS is a real condition. If one person reads this page, recognizes their symptoms, and gets to a specialist sooner, it was worth writing.
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