Diseases of the sweat glands

Important diseases of the sweat glands mainly affect the quantity of fluid secreted: if the production of sweat is completely absent, this is called anhidrosis, but if it is increased, this is called hyperhidrosis. Furthermore, benign tumors (adenomas) can also occur in the area of the sweat glands. Typical diseases of the sweat glands are

Sweat gland inflammation
Sweat gland hyperfunction
Sweat gland abscess

An inflammation of the sweat glands is also called acne inversa by dermatologists.

It occurs mainly in the armpits but also in the groin or pubic region. Typical are inflamed and painful nodes or abscesses in the affected areas. The German name Schweißdrüsenentzündung (inflammation of the sweat glands) is misleading: The cause of this unpleasant skin disease is probably not an inflammation of the sweat glands, but rather mainly small sebaceous glands are affected at the beginning.

These are located inside the hair roots. Presumably, these sebaceous glands become clogged, allowing bacteria to settle. The immune system attacks these bacteria, resulting in inflammation and pus formation.

However, the exact trigger factors are still relatively unclear. A malfunction of the immune system or the affected sebaceous glands is also suspected. Sweat gland inflammation or acne inversa is a relatively common disease, it is assumed that up to 4% of the population is affected.

Smokers seem to contract the disease significantly more frequently than the rest of the population. Although sweat gland inflammation or acne inversa is a common disease, it is often misdiagnosed and is still relatively unknown. The treatment of acne inversa is usually done with certain ointments, in severe cases also with antibiotics or other drugs.

If drug treatment is not sufficient, the affected areas must be treated surgically. Sweating is a very important function of the body. It allows the body temperature to be regulated precisely.

However, overproduction of sweat can also occur for various reasons. This is known in medicine as hyperhidrosis. A distinction is made between a localized form, in which, for example, only hands or feet are affected, and a generalized form, in which all sweat glands in the body produce excessive amounts of sweat.

There are also special forms in which, for example, only one half of the body or face can be affected. In addition, hyperactivity of the sweat glands can also be classified according to its cause. In the case of primary sweat gland hyperfunction, no exact cause can be determined.

It is possible that there is a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the sweat glands. Triggering factors include heat, stress, but also certain foods. In secondary sweat gland hyperfunction, another disease is the cause of excessive sweating.

These include tumor diseases, infections such as tuberculosis or diabetes mellitus. Heavy night sweats are a common symptom, especially in the case of tumor diseases or long-term infections. An abscess is an encapsulated accumulation of pus.

It develops due to an inflammation which attacks the tissue. A cavity filled with pus is formed. This is encapsulated by the body to limit the spread of the inflammation.

Sweat glands can also be affected by this process. Sweat gland abscesses often occur in the armpit, groin or genital area. Abscesses often form in connection with inflammation of the sweat glands, also known as acne inversa.

Contrary to what the German name suggests, the hair roots are the first to be affected by this disease. From these the inflammation spreads in the tissue, which can also affect the sweat glands. Triggers are probably certain bacterial strains, but also lifestyle and possibly autoimmune processes.

A sweat gland abscess can be very painful. Abscesses are typically recognized as reddened, swollen and warm capsules that are initially firm and filled with pus.Finally, the abscess matures and possibly drains to the outside. An abscess should be treated by a doctor.

Especially a mature abscess can be safely drained by a doctor. In addition, various ointments can be used. If a skin disease like acne inversa is the cause of a sweat gland abscess, there are a number of treatment options such as antibiotics or even surgery.

The sweat glands can also degenerate and thus form cancer. However, this rarely happens. Therefore, relatively little is known about tumors that originate from sweat glands.

There are a number of different types of cancer. Above all, the sweat gland carcinoma is malignant. It metastasizes relatively early.

Frequently, it is not the actual gland cells that appear to degenerate, but rather the fine ducts of the sweat glands. Since the sweat glands are relatively superficial, sweat gland cancer is usually recognized as a palpable swelling in the skin. Usually, surgical removal is the therapy of choice.