I'm 22 years old and I've had HS since I was 7. It started in my groin before it spread to my chest. Then when was 14 I started getting them under my arms as well. I had an surgical excision on my left and right armpit when I was a teenager leaving to huge scars. I have recurring cysts and sinus tracts and typically get 4-6 cysts a month. (The HS also makes it difficult to shave because that'll usually cause me to get 2 or 3 cysts.)
I've put off most romantic opportunities because I'm afraid of the physical aspect of a relationship. However, I have a possible relationship on the horizon and I'm kind of terrified. I've had HS for what's essentially been my whole life, and it's really effected the way that I view myself. I only started really opening up about the physical extent of the disease with my close friends and family 2 years ago. I'm embarrassed to talk about it in detail. I feel like my entire body is covered in lesions, gross scars, and puckered and discolored skin. I don't want anyone to see that, let alone someone who I want to be in a relationship with.
I don't know when's a good time to bring this up in a relationship because I don't want to jump the gun and tell him too soon, but I also don't want to shock him when it looks like have an STD.