Maggie McGill Isn’t Afraid To Share The Reality Of Life With Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Maggie McGill was only 19-years-old when she first noticed painful bumps between her thighs.

“I was working at a outdoor summer camp and the sweat and friction from walking outside worsened my symptoms. I felt very alone and embarrassed,” she explained. Despite being certain she had HS, it was years before she had an official diagnosis.

Today, Maggie works as a content creator focusing on body liberation, fashion for all genders, and as she says, all things cozy.

Maggie wants to dispel the myths and prejudices that surround HS, and help other individuals who may be struggling, too.

“I lived with the pain of HS for six years because I was ashamed,” she explains. “When I told my mom about it, she said that my aunt and grandmother also had HS, but didn’t have the words for it. I was frustrated that I could have had a diagnosis sooner, or at least felt less alone in my pain. I didn’t want anyone else to suffer or feel ashamed or gross for having this very common disorder! So that’s why I decided to speak up.”

Today, her work reaches a worldwide community of people who have HS. “I get messages at least weekly from people who discovered they have HS through my videos or writing and it gave them the courage to seek help and those are the most meaningful messages,” she says.

Maggie gave us a behind-the-scenes look into a day in the life of someone with HS. “You deserve compassionate medical care, you deserve a treatment plan that works for you, and you are so so lovable,” she says. “You’re not alone in this.”