Definition
The name sweat gland inflammation is actually not quite correct, since the disease also called Acne Inversa is actually an inflammation of the sebaceous glands. The armpits and the intimate area are particularly often affected. The excretory duct of the sebaceous gland is blocked and the body’s own material accumulates in the gland.
Additional contamination with bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, can then lead to inflammation with abscess formation. This also spreads to the sweat glands and thus gives it its name. The disease is chronic and a genetic predisposition is suspected. You can find detailed information on this on our page Acne inversa.
Sweat gland inflammation in the armpit
The armpits are one of the body regions most frequently affected by Acne Inversa. Women are more frequently affected in the armpits. The beginning of the disease is often marked by inflammation of the hair follicles.
These are very prominent in the armpit region and are therefore quickly affected. First, the excretory ducts of the sebaceous glands become blocked and horn tissue accumulates. The forming firm nodes in the skin look like enlarged blackheads.
Later, large accumulations of pus form under the skin and the sweat glands also become inflamed. Especially in the armpit area, the local lymph nodes can also swell noticeably palpably and visibly, as there are many lymph nodes in this area. Swollen underarm lymph nodes are a normal reaction of the immune system to the ongoing inflammation.
Both the purulent abscesses and the swollen lymph nodes can cause severe pain. Another special feature of the armpits is that colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is more common there than in most other parts of the body. This germ is the cause of purulent abscesses and often settles in the already irritated glands, which then swell and carry pus accumulations themselves.
Sweat gland inflammation on the hands
There are also numerous sweat glands on the hands, which can clog and become inflamed as a result. However, the hands are not one of the most frequently affected body regions in sweat gland inflammations. Therefore, if sweat gland inflammation of the hand is suspected, one should distinguish dyshidrosis (eczema on the hand), which has retained its name only for historical reasons. This disease shows itself through itchy blisters on the palms of the hands, but has no cause in the sweat glands. Especially in children, one should also think of hand-mouth-foot disease, which has similar symptoms.
