Fox-Fordyce Disease

Fox Fordyce is a congenital abnormality of the sebaceous gland that occurs as a result of malformation or other abnormalities during embryonic development. With this pathology, the patient may experience improper location of the sebaceous glands, changes in their shape and size, which leads to the formation of nodules and cystic tumors on the skin in

**Foxa-Fordyce is a terminal skin disease that is characterized by the formation of multiple small pimples that appear on the skin of the face, chest or back.** Foxa-Fordyce belongs to a group of multifocal and heterogeneous skin diseases that are chronic in nature. Most often it affects the male gender. Despite the presence of a large number of studies, there is still no effective therapy to eliminate this disease.

The disease was named after two prominent American dermatologists, Jameson Allan Fordyce and George Holdsworth Fox. They were the first to note the occurrence of acne in the scrotal area in men. It was this type of acne that was named after Fordyce, and he himself was named after Fox - Fordyce's acne. But in fairness, it must be said that the first American dermatologist Fordyce discovered acne of this type only in 1913, and in general the first case in the literature was described in the 17th century. Previously, this disease was also called gramnexoma. During the survey, Fox was able to find out that this disease essentially combines two unrelated pathologies: one is associated with the sex hormone testosterone, produced in the testicles. The other is with a hair follicle on the hymens of women. It is noteworthy that with sexual dysfunction, pimples appear on the patient’s genitals, but the patient himself does not feel inflammation during intercourse. Another type of this disease was also known, in which acne appeared even on the palms, chests, buttocks, and sometimes on the knees. Another term mentioned in their research is acne inversa, "mirror form."

The disease is especially characteristic in individuals with delayed puberty in boys, or in those who reached puberty early. The disease often manifests itself in young healthy men with the appearance of numerous red, painful pimples on the scrotum, located symmetrically or asymmetrically. Their size usually does not exceed 3-4 mm (the standard value is 1 mm), but in some cases, rashes about 5-6 mm deep and about 1 cm in diameter can be found on the scrotum. The rashes are multiple; not only the scrotum, but also the upper part of the penis. A characteristic feature of these red, inflamed pimples is the possible presence of a shaft (hair) inside the pimple. This type of acne is characterized by paleness after inflammation subsides, then it will lighten, and then completely disappear. However, often the disease persists for a long time and even degenerates into a malignant form. A rash may also form on the head of the penis. A rash appears on the buttocks and thighs. The clinical picture can be distinguished: nodes, cysts, spots, scars, infiltrates, fistulas, ulcers, granulomas.