What is Fox-Fordyce disease?
Fox-Fordyce disease is a rare skin disorder affecting the apocrine sweat glands.
These are special sweat glands found in the armpits, genital region, and breasts that produce a more dense secretion than the normal or ‘eccrine’ sweat glands found elsewhere on the body.
Patients with this condition experience itchy bumps on the skin around the hair follicles.
What causes Fox-Fordyce disease?
The disease is believed to be caused by blockage of the apocrine sweat glands. It is not yet known why these glands become blocked. The fox-Fordyce disease commonly occurs under conditions of excess heat, humidity, and stress.
It can develop in anyone at any age, but most commonly arises in women of child-bearing age. Hormones are therefore believed to play a role, but the exact link has not yet been discovered.
Is Fox-Fordyce disease hereditary?
No, Fox-Fordyce disease is not hereditary.
What are the symptoms of Fox-Fordyce disease?
The rash can be very itchy, especially when patients are experiencing high levels of stress or emotion. It is also worsened by heat and friction and may become troublesome at night.
How does Fox-Fordyce disease look like?
Fox-Fordyce disease usually appears as small fluid-filled blisters, skin-colored spots, or darkened spots at the base of the hair follicles.
How is Fox-Fordyce disease diagnosed?
The diagnosis is usually made “clinically” from a patient’s history and by examining the appearance of the rash. Occasionally a skin biopsy may be performed to rule out other diseases.
Can Fox-Fordyce disease be cured?
There is no simple cure for Fox-Fordyce disease. In some people, it improves on its own. In the meantime, the symptoms can be controlled to varying extents with treatments.
How can Fox-Fordyce disease be treated?
Topical Therapies (treatment applied to the skin): There are several topical therapies. Gels and lotions are better than the more greasy creams and ointments. Topical steroid, Topical calcineurin inhibitors, Topical retinoids creams are local options for treatment.
Topical antibiotics such as clindamycin have also been used• successfully.
Phototherapy, using ultraviolet light, may be used, but careful• consideration is needed as light treatment carries an increased risk of developing skin cancer, particularly with long term use.
Oral Treatments (those taken by mouth): Antihistamine tablets or pills, isotretinoin tablets are oral options for treatments.
Surgical Options: Surgery using a laser may be helpful to remove the affected areas and therefore attempt a cure, or the site may be cut away but is likely to lead to scarring.
Self-care (What can I do?)
Try not to pick and scratch the area as this can make the situation worse and lead to infection. Avoid putting anything irritating onto the areas. Avoid greasy creams as they can cause further blockage of the apocrine sweat glands. Avoidance of excessive heat, humidity, or stress can help some people.